Neolithic to Iron Age at
Newgrange The triple spiral symbol, or three-spiral
volute, appears in many early cultures: the first appeared in
Malta (4400–3600 BCE); the second in the astronomical calendar of the megalithic tomb of
Newgrange in Ireland built around 3200 BCE; as well as on
Mycenaean vessels. The
Neolithic-era symbol of three conjoined spirals may have had triple significance similar to the imagery that lies behind the triskelion. It is carved into the rock of a stone
lozenge near the main entrance of the prehistoric Newgrange monument in what is now
County Meath, Ireland. There is also an example of a
triskele on a stone fragment discovered in
Gloucestershire, England, that, as of 2023, is held by the
British Museum and thought to date from between the Neolithic period and the Bronze Age. The triskelion was a motif in the art of the Iron Age Celtic
La Tène culture. It is found on coinage in
Lycia and on
staters of
Pamphylia (at
Aspendos in 370–333 BCE) and
Pisidia. The meaning of the Greek
triskeles is not recorded directly. The
Duke of Luynes, in his 1835 study, noted the co-occurrence of the symbol with the eagle, the cockerel, the
head of Medusa,
Perseus, three crescent moons, three ears of corn, and three grains of corn. From this, he reconstructed a feminine divine triad that he identified with the
triple goddess Hecate. The
triskeles was adopted as emblem by the rulers of
Syracuse. It is possible that this usage is related with the Greek name of the island of
Sicily, () . The Sicilian
triskeles is shown with the
head of Medusa at the center. The ancient symbol has been re-introduced in modern
flags of Sicily since 1848. The oldest find of a
triskeles in
Sicily is a vase dated to the late-7th century BCE of which researchers speculated a
Minoan-Mycenaean origin (and for which no proof has been given).
Roman period and Late Antiquity Late examples of the triple spiral symbols are found in
Iron Age Europe,
carved in rock in
Castro Culture settlements in
Galicia,
Asturias, and
Northern Portugal. The symbol took on new meaning to
Irish Celtic Christians before the 5th century CE as a symbol of the
Trinity. File:2009-03-22 03-29 Sizilien 683 Agrigent, Parco Valle dei Templi Agrigento, Museo Archaeologico.jpg|Triskelion of Sicily on vase of the late 7th century BCE File:Ancient greek beaked jug decorated with triple spirals.jpg|Late Helladic (14th century BCE) beaked jug decorated with triple spirals File:6257 - Archaeological Museum, Athens - Gold cup from Mycenae - Photo by Giovanni Dall'Orto, Nov 10 2009.jpg|Gold cup from
Mycenae decorated with triskelions File:Trisquel da Aira Vella, Santo Estevo de Allariz, Allariz.jpg|Iron Age
Castro culture triskele, reused in a barn, Airavella,
Allariz,
Galicia,
Spain File:Torque de Santa Tegra 1.JPG|Triskelion and spirals on a Galician
torc terminal ==Medieval use==