The Celtic Knot, Triquetra, and the Trinity

The island was formed during the flood of Noah’s day, about 4,300 years ago. Giant’s Causeway is a stunning reminder that God gives beauty for ashes—we can enjoy the vistas caused by the flood while soberly remembering the reason God sent it. Shortly after the flood and as a consequence of the events at Babel, Noah’s grandsons began spreading out over the earth, now with a variety of languages. Eventually, according to some records, the descendants of Magog made their way, crossing oceans and land bridges, to the Emerald Isle. As image bearers of their Creator, they developed a rich culture full of beautiful artistic expressions. One of those is the triquetra.

Image by Peter-Lomas, via Pixabay.

History of the Triquetra

This symbol has been found in many ancient cultures since the early centuries BC.1 One can easily imagine artists from different centuries and cultures doodling on papyrus and developing circles and arcs that interlaced. It isn’t a proprietary design for one people group.

After the time of Christ, the triquetra was used extensively in Christian artwork, such as the illumination in the Book of Kells, a lavishly decorated manuscript of the Gospels. In more recent years, the NKJV used it on its cover.

Photo of a Thomas Nelson Publisher's NKJV page.

Symbols and art forms are not inherently evil.2 After all, God is the premier Creator, and we reflect his creative abilities when we create beautiful art. Like anything, however, art can be used for good or evil purposes. A few years ago, with Zoomerang, we incorporated the Aboriginal art form dot art, which they use to communicate stories and their religious beliefs. We used it as an art form that brought glory to God through the VBS program. With Keepers of the Kingdom, we decorated with dragons, a nod to the truth that dinosaurs lived in the recent past and have been legendized (some decried the use of “evil serpents”). With Ocean Commotion (and now with Emerald Crossing), we featured rainbows, the symbol God instituted to show he keeps his promises, now co-opted by those who raise their fists in opposition to God’s good design for them. With Jungle Journey and Wonder Junction, we decorated with snakes—a creation of God’s that many fear and unjustifiably despise due to the association with Genesis 3.

Image by Danny Lines, via Unsplash.

Further, while the cross is a prominent feature around the necks of many Christians, early Christians didn’t use this instrument of torture as their symbol—they used the Greek letters ΧΡ and the ichthus fish. Sadly, the cross is also used by pagans for their purposes. The Christmas star is used to celebrate the birth of Christ but is also used by those who participate in witchcraft. Both use a five-pointed star to symbolize their beliefs.

What God Has Created Is Good

While people who deny God or promote a different belief system may also use this symbol, it isn’t inherently theirs.

The triquetra is an objectively beautiful symbol that Christians have used throughout the years to illustrate the Trinity.3 While people who deny God or promote a different belief system may also use this symbol, it isn’t inherently theirs. One could argue that Christians should use it even more to reinforce the historical Christian association and not give it over to the pagans.

Unlike the rainbow, the triquetra doesn’t appear in Scripture; however, many generations of Christians have used this symbol to signify the Trinity. The triquetra has also been used to show that our physical, mental, and spiritual components, as created by God, are all intertwined, while others have used it to showcase the life, death, and future resurrection of Christians. It would be a shame to ignore and abandon that history to evil.

In 1 Timothy, Paul warns about people who forbid the use of things in pursuit of holiness. Specifically, he’s talking about marriage and abstaining from certain foods, but the principle is that we are not to forbid what God does not forbid. As he writes to Timothy, “Everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer” (1 Timothy 4:4–5).

Not Just Art and History

God is the one who created the rules of mathematics that make the triquetra possible.4 The triquetra is not only an (admittedly inadequate) illustration of the Trinity but also a beautiful symbol of God's logic that undergirds the entire universe. It (like everything in creation) belongs to God, not his enemies.

We are teaching an anxious generation that they have a gentle shepherd of their souls who will lead them to truth through his Word.

With Emerald Crossing, we are teaching an anxious generation that they have a gentle shepherd of their souls who will lead them to truth through his Word, help them cross from fear to peace, and guide them from the wrong path to the right path for his glory and our good. We needn’t walk in fear ourselves over a symbol (though we can refute the perversion of good things) but can move forward in faith that God is good and that we can use beautiful artwork to showcase his goodness and mercy that will follow us all the days of our lives. There is a God who cares deeply about us, our VBS kids, and the people in Ireland. Through Emerald Crossing, we can share this God with those around us who need him—including those who use symbols for their own glory rather than his.5

We trust you will enjoy using the triquetra in various ways to glorify God throughout your journey to Ireland at Emerald Crossing!