Three Legs Good, Five Legs Bad?
The Triskele: Ancient Symbol of Energy and Enlightenment
The triskele (also triskelion) is an ancient symbol consisting of three conjoined, outward-directed spirals. The triskelion is considered a symbol of Celtic origin, though its roots date back to Neolithic times. Literally “three-legs” in Greek, it is an energetic symbol representing constant motion or action. In this sense, it is associated with the rising and setting of the sun, which is constantly in motion.
That said, the exact symbolic significance of the triskele is a little hard to pin down. Some say that it signifies progress. Others point out that the ancients believed that energy — physical and spiritual — flowed in spiral form and suggest that the the triskele represents the spiritual path to enlightenment.
But that’s the great thing about symbols — they can be imbued with layers of deeply personal and even idiosyncratic meaning. For example, the triskele reminds The House of Keep On Movin’ by Soul II Soul, a song that has been described as a “clarion call to those in need of a little motivation in their lives.” Word.
So why three legs, rather than two or four? Well, three symbolizes spiritual synthesis. Geometrically, it is expressed by the three points of the triangle and represents the concept of sufficiency.
The Triskelion and Trinacria
A version of the triskele is associated with the Isle of Man, which is located in the Irish Sea. In this iteration, the spirals have been replaced by bent, armored legs with boots and spurs that appear to be running in a circle. According to the Manx National Heritage Museum, “The origins of the ancient Three Legs of Mann are unknown. A common theory suggests it was adopted in the Thirteenth Century as the royal coat of arms.” (There are entire books on this topic for those who want to do a deep dive.)
Another version of the triskele is associated with Sicily, an island that is roughly triangular in shape. In this iteration, called the trinacria (“three-pointed”), the legs emanate from the winged head of the Gorgon Medusa. Regular followers of The House of Good Fortune are familiar with the long history of the Gorgoneion as an apotropaic device. Three stalks of wheat (which are sometimes described as “corn” as an umbrella term for any type of grain) symbolize the fertility and prosperity of this region.
As a brief aside, the tailless Manx cat (from the Isle of Man) is also a symbol of the island. According to Manx folklore, marauding Vikings believed that the cats’ tails were good luck charms, so mother cats would bite off their kittens’ tails to keep them safe. Another myth posits that the Manx cat lost its tale because it was the last to board Noah’s Ark and the door slammed shut on its tail. (The tailless appearance is actually the result of a genetic mutation.)
The triskele has been a popular jewelry motif for hundreds of years, and many wear the triskele as a personal talisman today.
Three Legs Good, Five Legs Bad?
A note to readers: the three-legged triskele/ triskelion/ trinacria should not be confused with the five-legged demon Buer, who is described as a Great President of Hell, having fifty legions of demons under his command. He is typically depicted as having the head of a lion and five goat legs. Geometrically, the five points represent the pentagram, or five-pointed star, which in turn represents wholeness or perfection.