Besides the pentacle, there are a number of symbols that pagans use. Here are some of the more common ones and their meanings.
Triskele/Triskellion
This is a Celtic symbol, and the Celts believed that the most important things came in threes; birth, death and rebirth; mind, body and spirit; earth, sky and water; past, present and future. It's also used to represent the triple goddess; Maiden, Mother and Crone. As Christianity spread, they adopted the symbol and used it to signify their holy trinity; Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
This is a Celtic symbol, and the Celts believed that the most important things came in threes; birth, death and rebirth; mind, body and spirit; earth, sky and water; past, present and future. It's also used to represent the triple goddess; Maiden, Mother and Crone. As Christianity spread, they adopted the symbol and used it to signify their holy trinity; Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Triquetra
Yes, just as seen on the television show 'Charmed'! The triquetra has the same essential meaning as the triskele.
Hecate's Wheel
This symbol is another common representation of the triple goddess.
Triple Goddess
The full moon nestled between the waxing and waning crescents symbolizes the triple goddess.
The waxing moon stands for the Maiden. She represents youth, excitement, innocence and new beginnings. She is also a warrior figure. Artemis the Huntress from the Greek pantheon is a maiden goddess.
The full moon represents the Mother. Her attributes are fertility, sexuality, stability and power. Staying with the Greek gods, Demeter is a mother goddess.
The waning moon corresponds to the Crone. She symbolizes wisdom, peace and compassion. The Crone is the goddess of endings. Often called the Queen of the Witches, the Greek goddess Hecate is a crone goddess.
Though the triple goddess is often thought of as three different deities, she also represents the Goddess in a changing aspect throughout the year. From Ostara to Lughnasadh, she is the Maiden, bringing vitality and new life to the earth. At Lughnasadh, she becomes the Mother, using her power to ensure a bountiful harvest. The Crone emerges at Samhain for a period of rest and introspection until spring and the return of the Maiden.
The full moon nestled between the waxing and waning crescents symbolizes the triple goddess.
The waxing moon stands for the Maiden. She represents youth, excitement, innocence and new beginnings. She is also a warrior figure. Artemis the Huntress from the Greek pantheon is a maiden goddess.
The full moon represents the Mother. Her attributes are fertility, sexuality, stability and power. Staying with the Greek gods, Demeter is a mother goddess.
The waning moon corresponds to the Crone. She symbolizes wisdom, peace and compassion. The Crone is the goddess of endings. Often called the Queen of the Witches, the Greek goddess Hecate is a crone goddess.
Though the triple goddess is often thought of as three different deities, she also represents the Goddess in a changing aspect throughout the year. From Ostara to Lughnasadh, she is the Maiden, bringing vitality and new life to the earth. At Lughnasadh, she becomes the Mother, using her power to ensure a bountiful harvest. The Crone emerges at Samhain for a period of rest and introspection until spring and the return of the Maiden.
Horned God
The Horned God is the balancing masculine aspect of the divine. He is the Sun Child, born of the Goddess at Yule. He is the first glimmer of spring as the light of day grows longer than the dark of night. At Beltane, the God and Goddess come together in a sacred union, marking the beginning of the fertile season. At Lughnasadh, the God dies, becoming a willing sacrifice to guarantee continuing life. His spirit enters the Underworld and remains there until once again reborn at Yule.
The Horned God is the balancing masculine aspect of the divine. He is the Sun Child, born of the Goddess at Yule. He is the first glimmer of spring as the light of day grows longer than the dark of night. At Beltane, the God and Goddess come together in a sacred union, marking the beginning of the fertile season. At Lughnasadh, the God dies, becoming a willing sacrifice to guarantee continuing life. His spirit enters the Underworld and remains there until once again reborn at Yule.
Wheel of the Year
Derived from the Sun Wheel, pagans use this symbol to mark the 8 Sabbats. The Sabbats are pagan holidays and correspond with the solar year. The Sabbats are Samhain, Yule, Imbolc, Ostara, Beltane, Litha, Lughnasadh and Mabon.
Spiral
The spiral is an ancient symbol with many possible meanings. The spiral can represent the path leading from outer consciousness to the inner soul. In terms of rebirth or growth, the spiral symbol can represent the consciousness of nature beginning from the core expanding outward. In ancient Greece, the Minoans of Knossos saw the spiral as a symbol of infinity, constant motion, balance and awareness. The spiral represents eternity, change/growth, and even the evolution or movement of the universe.
If you've ever read or seen Dan Brown's “The DaVinci Code” you may have heard of the Golden Ratio, the mystical number Phi. This number, also called the Divine Proportion, is exhibited in many different forms of nature as a spiral following a precise mathematical pattern. Some argue that this is evidence of a divine creator, so perhaps ancient spirals are a tribute to that creator.
The spiral is an ancient symbol with many possible meanings. The spiral can represent the path leading from outer consciousness to the inner soul. In terms of rebirth or growth, the spiral symbol can represent the consciousness of nature beginning from the core expanding outward. In ancient Greece, the Minoans of Knossos saw the spiral as a symbol of infinity, constant motion, balance and awareness. The spiral represents eternity, change/growth, and even the evolution or movement of the universe.
If you've ever read or seen Dan Brown's “The DaVinci Code” you may have heard of the Golden Ratio, the mystical number Phi. This number, also called the Divine Proportion, is exhibited in many different forms of nature as a spiral following a precise mathematical pattern. Some argue that this is evidence of a divine creator, so perhaps ancient spirals are a tribute to that creator.
Labrys
This ancient Minoan double headed axe was a ritual tool, used in bull sacrifices. The tool was only allowed to be used by the priestess. The shape of the axe is a reference to the moon and has been found in ancient Minoan depictions of the Mother Goddess. The belief that it was also used in battle by the Amazons strengthens the association with female empowerment.
This ancient Minoan double headed axe was a ritual tool, used in bull sacrifices. The tool was only allowed to be used by the priestess. The shape of the axe is a reference to the moon and has been found in ancient Minoan depictions of the Mother Goddess. The belief that it was also used in battle by the Amazons strengthens the association with female empowerment.
Mjölnir – Thor's Hammer
Thor was a Norse god who had power over thunder and lightening, symbolized by his legendary hammer. Amulets in the shape of Thor's hammer were worn as a symbol of protection.
Thor was a Norse god who had power over thunder and lightening, symbolized by his legendary hammer. Amulets in the shape of Thor's hammer were worn as a symbol of protection.
Every religion has its holy days, and pagans are no different. Next week I'll start discussing the Sabbats and Esbats, the pagan holidays. Blessings!