The Triquetra-a Symbol Common to the Germanic and Celtic Peoples

The symbol known as the triquetra is generally assumed to be a Celtic or solely a Celtic symbol and often a Christian one at that. Whilst the symbol became ubiquitous in early mediaeval Celtic inspired art in the British Isle its origins reach back into pre-Christian times and are not confined to just the Celts. A form of this symbol may be found on Scandinavian rune stones and a photographic example of this is attached to this article. The rune stone in question is catalogued as U 937 from Funbo in Uppsala, Sweden, now situated in a park at Uppsala University.

A triquetra also is to be found on the 7th Anglo-Saxon frith stool in Hexham Abbey, Northumberland. I have seen the stool but I cannot recall now after more than 20 years whether at the time I noticed the symbol or not. The presence of a triquetra on an Anglo-Saxon stone chair or 'throne' points to the possible use of this symbol by the Anglo-Saxons. It certainly remained as a spiritual symbol with the transition from heathenism to Christianity when it became known as the 'Trinity Knot', symbolising the triune Christian god as 'Father, Son and Holy Ghost'.

The triquetra is often compared to the Norse Valknut but I find the comparison to be quite superficial although I would argue that stylistically it is similar to the triple horns of Odin symbol, an alternative Odinic triple symbol. The symbol does appear on early silver Anglo-Saxon coins although it must not be assumed that at the time that this was intended to be depicted as a heathen symbol. The form of triquetra on this coin: Anglo-Saxon coin does strongly resemble the form on the U 937 Funbo rune stone. A form of the symbol also appears on English Viking era coins and here is an example of one from York: Viking Coin My readers will notice that this form of the triquetra strongly resembles the triple horn of Odin symbol. I have provided links to the website which feature images of these coins rather than posting their images on here as I am unsure of their copyright status.

Walther Blachetta briefly discusses the triquetra in his Das Buch der Deutschen Sinnzeichen, 1941:

"The triquetra is likewise an old Germanic form of the trefot and the sign for the threefold duty, which God, the world and mankind place on every life. " (My translation )

Please note that the German term for the triquetra is Die Dreierschild. Of course the interpretation by Blachetta must be regarded as a personal opinion as we cannot possibly know after so many centuries how our ancestors viewed the symbol and its meaning for them but there may very well be a certain overlap in meaning with other Germanic, Celtic and Indo-European symbols which are triple in nature.

The Sacred Spears of the Germanic Priest Kings

During the latter half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century a number of sacred spears belonging to the pre-christian Germanic tribes were located in modern day Germany, Sweden and Poland, being the Kovel spear, the Dahmsdorf spear, the Rozwadow spear and the Moos spear.
What these spears have in common is their construction-Iron with silver inlay and their runic inscriptions.

The one from Dahmsdorf has the inscription Ansuz-Jera-Nauthiz-Ansuz-Raitho. The inscription reading from right to left says ranja, ie the "runner". Edred Thorsson in his The Mysteries of the Goths (Runa Raven, 2007) speculates that this has the meaning of "the one which causes [them] to flee". The owner of the spear may have been a Burgundian, originally an East Germanic tribe. It dates from around 250CE and it also contains solar and lunar symbols and was discovered in 1865 during the construction of a train station at Dahmsdorf-Muecheberg. This and the other spears were never used in combat and clearly were of ceremonial purpose. Either these spears belonged to tribal priests or were symbolic totems of regal power belonging to chieftains.

The spear was the original and favoured weapon of the Germanic peoples and every Germanic freeman, every warrior possessed one as a mark of his status. In the case of chieftains and priests these were obviously more elaborate as these spears clearly have a mystical purpose. We are of course reminded of Gungnir, the spear of Wotan/Wodan/Woden/Odin which likewise was according to Sigdrifumal 17 insricribed with 17 runes on its tip. It would of course be tempting to speculate what they are. It is of course possible that this may be a version of the normally 16 runes Younger Futhark.

The Dahmsdorf spear contains both a triskelion and a swastika, both of which are solar symbols. These spears also contain tamgas which are Sarmatian or Scythian tribal symbols and thus show a connection with the steppe dwelling Iranian tribes who lived close to the East Germanic peoples.
The Germanic peoples considered themselves to be the offspring of their Gods and nobles in particular often reckoned their descent from Wodan. Therefore it is natural for a Germanic chieftain or king to possess a sacred spear as a symbol of the Wodan given regal power.

Alternatively the tamga symbol may be interpreted as a  Blitzbündel symbol which is associated with the God Thunor. See my other articles on this symbol: An Esoteric Interpretation of Das Blitzbündel and The Trisula and the Vajra and their Associations with Das Blitzbündel

Later in the post-conversion times and the arising of the Parsifal myth the sacred spear or lance features as the symbolic weapon of the Grail king. We know that the Holy Lance or spear of Longinus which allegedly currently resides in the Hofburg Museum in Wien has been dated to no earlier than the 7th century CE and therefore is not contemporary with the times of the so-called Christ.
No doubt this spear falls into a similar category as the four runic spears referred to in this article. 

Das Drachenauge (The Dragon's Eye)

This is a very interesting symbol for it is geometric and associated with the Germanic peoples. Some information on this symbol is available in Walther Blachetta's Das Buch der Deutschen Zinnzeichen (1941):

"The Dragon's Eye is the symbol of the well-ordered, triple structure of the world and all beings and stands for - balance. Almost corporeal is this symbol to be perceived and shows then a three-dimensional, equal-sided pyramid, thus a structure of equal height, breadth and depth." (My translation)

Annoyingly Blachetta does not elaborate further in his book about this symbol and whilst Rudolf Koch includes this symbol in his The Book of Signs (1930) he gives no information whatsoever except that it is a symbol once used by the ancient Germanic peoples. Neither author gives any source for the symbol. It has been adopted as a logo for the American political group Identity Evropa (now known as the American Identity Movement) so clearly they must accept its ancient Germanic or European origins. Why Blachetta or Koch call this symbol the Dragon's Eye is anyone's guess! An inverted Dragon's Eye features on the coat of arms of Egg an der Guenz in Bavaria.

Due to the lack of information from scholarly sources on this symbol it is of course open to us to interpret it using our own ideas and best guess work. The symbol incorporates an Algiz or Elhaz rune, dividing the three triangles which together form an equilateral triangle. The Old English form of the rune name is Eolh, meaning elk. This gives the rune an element of 'protective force' (See Futhark. A Handbook of Rune Magic, Edred Thorsson, 1984). It is reasonable then to ascribe to this symbol a magical protective quality.

Regarding the symbol's actual rather than perceived origins I can offer no insight. Any of my readers who are able to add to this information are welcome to post a comment at the bottom of this article.

The Religious Symbolism of the Red and White Dragons

Those of you who are familiar with the writings of Woden's Folk will be aware of the teaching regarding the battle between two hostile dragons, usually depicted (but not always) as red and white dragons and what they symbolise. Some years ago I  completed my reading of Lady Charlotte Guest's translation of  The Mabinogion (1841) and I came across this interesting passage in the final part of the work, Taliesin.

"A coiling serpent proud and merciless, on her golden wings, from Germany. She will overrun England and Scotland, from Lychlyn sea-shore to the Severn. Then will the Brython be as prisoners, by strangers swayed, from Saxony. Their Lord they will praise, their speech they will keep, their land they will lose, except wild Walia. Till some change shall come, after long penance, when equally rife the two crimes come. Britons then shall have their land and their crown, and the stranger swarm shall disappear. All the angel's words, as to peace and war, will be fulfilled to Britain's race." 

The traditional interpretation of the white dragon representing the Germanic English invader and the red dragon the Romano-British is in my opinion an over-simplification of the legend. It is clear to me that in addition to the ethnic interpretation of the two dragons there is also a much deeper religious significance. We know that the Saxon kingdom of Wessex-West Saxons, had a golden dragon banner as their symbol and this is still represented in the county flag of Wessex (an original and historical English county and kingdom). This is the "coiling serpent proud and merciless, on her golden wings from Germany." "The reference to the Britons' "Lord they will praise" implies that despite the efforts of the heathen Anglo-Saxons the conquered people will cling to their Christian god. However the Christian hope is that both Germanic heathenism and the English themselves will "disappear". This is being attempted right now with the flooding of England with unwanted alien immigrants from the four corners of the globe without a single thing being done about it. Clearly the Christianisation of the English was not only an attempt to sever our ties from our natural Germanic Gods and mythology but an attempt to destroy our folc within these islands.

The legend of Taliesin is unfortunately heavily Christianised as is the majority of The Mabinogion. The Irish mythology has largely escaped this Christian contamination and is a better guide to 'Celtic' mythology. However Welsh mythology is still useful for us to study. The legend of the red and white dragons is also contained in Llud and Llevelys, also to be found in The Mabinogion. However the actual colour of the dragons is not mentioned in this tale but it refers to "another dragon of a foreign race" (the English dragon) who is "fighting with it, and striving to overcome it" (the British dragon). Geoffrey of Monmouth and Nennius also relate this story and Nennius in particular places this struggle between the two dragons at the time of the coming of the English (or as some of us prefer, the return of the English) to England at the time of Vortigern, the weak British king. Giraldus Cambrensis locates these events "At the head of the Snowdon Mountains". In recent years (largely due to the efforts of Woden's Folk) the white dragon of the English has experienced an awakening of sorts in the Collective Unconscious or Blood Memory of the English people who are an Aryan Germanic folc. We must continue in our efforts to promote this symbolism in our work as it clearly has a significance for the end of the age events being worked out in this island today.

Swedish Government Considering a Complete Ban on all Germanic Symbols

When I launched this new blog a few months ago it was with the intention of avoiding the discussion of politics as my previous blogs were more often than not branded by my enemies in this way. However on this occasion I have decided to break my 'golden rule' as the subject matter goes beyond politics. I am indebted to my good friend and folk comrade Runebinder in drawing our attention to this recent article on the RT website: Swedes up in arms as government mulls potential ban on ancient 'Nazi' runes The relevant post on Rune Binder's blog-https://volkisch-runes.blogspot.com/2019/05/some-of-you-may-have-seen-various.html

When I read this news report at first I did not believe it; as Runebinder points out the Swedish government is not just simply considering a partial ban on specific Germanic symbols that could be linked to National Socialism but an entire ban on the Germanic symbolism of the Swedish people. This is blatant cultural Marxism and once again we see examples of self-hatred manifesting itself amongst the co-called and self-appointed Swedish 'intelligentsia' (if only some of them HAD a modicum of 'intelligence'!) and political elite. As some of my American readers would say the Swedes are 'cucked' and for once I support the use of an 'Americanism' because I cannot conceive of a more appropriate and succinct adjective to describe what is obviously a manifestation of a deep rooted psychosis.

Any legislation that would ban the use and display of the runes and even the hammer of Thor would severely impact upon those who follow the pre-Christian heathen Germanic religion and the promotion of that religion. It could effectively outlaw the ancestral religion of the Swedish people. Indeed it goes further than even this. If the government get their way the indigenous Swedish people, regardless of their individual religious beliefs and affiliations would be robbed of their history, culture and even their very identity. The Marxist political elite realise that a Sweden with a Germanic past is not a 'multi-cultural' or 'multi-racial' Sweden and as in Orwell's Ninteen Eightyfour the past must be erased and rewritten. This is truly Orwellian in its intensions and must be resisted by the Swedish people through any non-violent means possible whether those means be legal or not. When a government ceases to have the interests of its indigenous population at heart then it must be challenged and removed by the people as one would remove any form of tyranny. The following is a link to a relevant Swedish website https://samnytt.se/regeringen-vill-forbjuda-runskrift-asatroende-och-kulturarvsintresserade-rasar/

The Krueckenkreuz Symbol

We know that there is a direct connection between the fyrfot and the hammer of Thunor. This connection is further intensified when we we reflect on the lesser known symbol of the Krueckenkreuz or crutch cross. This symbol can be traced back to neolithic times as a petroglyph. Walther Blachetta in Das Buch Der Deutschen Sinnzeichen [1941] regarding this symbol states:

"Four Tau crosses, thus four Thor`s Hammers, joined together as a law cross."[My translation].

 
Blachetta`s use of the term Rechtkreuz is a reference to the concept of the Holy Vehm as revealed by Guido von List. This Armanist symbol was popularised in the early 20th century by Joerg Lanz von Liebenfels as the symbol of his  Aryan Ordo Novi Templi [Order of the New Templars] from 1907 onwards.

The symbol of four Thunor`s hammers forming a cross may be found on Alemannic broaches during the Voelkerwanderungenzeit [ Age of the migrations of peoples]. It stands for the divine power of procreation.

Closely related to the Krueckenkreuz is the Krueckenrad which is more or less the same symbol but with eight Thunor`s hammers joined.

"It is very closely connected with the Seal of the Eight, however here it is found yet more strongly carved out than there as the eight Tau crosses, the hammer of Donar."[Blachetta  is comparing this symbol to the one immediately preceding it which is called Das Siegel der Acht [the Seal of the Eight].  (My translation)

 
The Krueckenkreuz  has become a fairly ubiquitous symbol in the European Neofolk music scene. It is in effect a hidden straightened up fyrfot or swastika and as such its public use and display may be a useful means of communicating with the sleeping Blood Memory of unawakened Aryans that we may encounter on a daily basis. The exposure of our race to symbols is far more potent than the use of mere words. When debating with the unawakened we will only encounter resistance and opposition due to years of enemy propaganda but the manipulation of symbols enables us to get around this and speak directly to the Unconscious. Anyone familiar with Leni Riefenstahl`s Der Triumph des Willens will understand the truth of this. However the enemy is aware of this also and this is why he tries to ban the use of any Aryan or Germanic symbol in Germany or Austria that may have a potent effect upon the sleeping Volk.

The Sixfooted Sunwheel

The Germanic Sunwheel takes many forms. One example is Der Sechsfuss (The Sixfooted Sunwheel). Walter Blachetta has this to say in his Das Buch der Deutschen Sinnzeichen:

"The Sixfoot is the image of progressive development-, which is bestowed on men by God in their creativity and creative power. The Hagal rune has here been given the form of movement. In particular the Sixfoot was often added to utensils in the Germanic Bronze Age." (My translation)

 It is interesting that Blachetta should make this link with the Hagal rune but I am sure that this symbol does predate the rune. The rune rows that we know today are survivals of a much larger and broader corpus of Germanic and Aryan symbols which indeed predate the Bronze Age and are part of the culture of the Neolithic period. It is also indicative of the ancient sun worship referred to by Caesar in his de bello gallica:

"The Germans differ much from these usages, for they have neither Druids to preside over sacred offices, nor do they pay great regard to sacrifices. They rank in the number of the gods those alone whom they behold, and by whose instrumentality they are obviously benefited, namely, the sun, fire, and the moon; they have not heard of the other deities even by report. Their whole life is occupied in hunting and in the pursuits of the military art; from childhood they devote themselves to fatigue and hardships. Those who have remained chaste for the longest time, receive the greatest commendation among their people; they think that by this the growth is promoted, by this the physical powers are increased and the sinews are strengthened. And to have had knowledge of a woman before the twentieth year they reckon among the most disgraceful acts; of which matter there is no concealment, because they bathe promiscuously in the rivers and [only] use skins or small cloaks of deer's hides, a large portion of the body being in consequence naked." (Book 6, Chapter 21, translated by W.A. DeMcvitte and W.S. Bohn)

 Of course we know that Caesar was wild off the mark here but Sun worship clearly was an aspect of early Germanic religion (as of many other peoples). Tacitus writing in the following century in his Germania gives us a more accurate and more uptodate pictures of Germanic religion. The Sun was personified as female in Northern Europe and She is referred to in Old Norse sources as Sol but in Old High German as Sunna. She is named in the 10th century Second Merseburg Charm:

Phol and Wodan were riding to the woods,

and the foot of Balder's foal was sprained

So Sinthgunt, Sunna's sister, conjured it.

and Frija, Volla's sister, conjured it.

and Wodan conjured it, as well he could:

Like bone-sprain, so blood-sprain,

so joint-sprain:

Bone to bone, blood to blood,

joints to joints, so may they be mended.

 

The Drudenfuß, an Ancient Germanic Symbol

The pentagram in German is known as the Drudenfuß and I believe that the German name is far more evocative and appropriate to use than the rather clinical pentagrame. This symbol is rarely used today within the context of Odinism/Wodenism/Wotanism and I feel this is largely because of its misuse by the so-called modern Wicca and also due to lack of knowledge regarding its origins and meaning . This is a shame: we should not allow our use or non-use of sacred Germanic symbols to be somehow influenced by these eclectic New Age charlatans.
I use the word `charlatan` because anyone who refers to himself as being a `druid` is certainly misguided. According to Julius Caesar druids spent 20 years being trained and committing ancient lore to memory. They did not accomplish this by way of short correspondence courses. Furthermore no-one can say with any degree of certainty what the beliefs and practices of the druids were-less so than in Germanic heathenism. It is quite sad to witness people of Germanic heritage following pseudo-Celtic belief systems. It is also pitiful to witness these neo-druids try to present their revived religion as a peaceful and almost universalistic one. The genuine druids of yore were far from peaceful but warlike and did not shy away from human sacrifice (as did the Germanic priests). The difference is that whilst we Wodenists are not afraid to acknowledge that human sacrifice was carried out by our ancestors (as it was by other Indo-Europeans) the neo-druids are in denial of the historic facts, putting it down to Roman anti-Celtic or anti-barbarian propaganda. Neither was their religion universal but folkish as was Germanic religion-much again to the chagrin of modern `Asatru`ers`!
As far as the Wicca are concerned they cannot even pronounce their own name: it is pronounced witcha not wicker! It is an Old English word meaning quite simply, `witch`. I believe however that individual within Wicca may be influenced by Wodenism if we do this in the right way. I have previously explained in my article Witchdom of the True  that Wicca, unbeknown to many of its adherents is actually grounded in the worship of the ancient English Gods, Ing-Frey and Freya and if cleansed of its universalist and namby-pamby elements may be considered a legitimate expression of English heathenism. I know this is a controversial issue to many Germanic heathens but I would encourage you to read Edred Thorsson`s book Witchdom of the True. A Study of the Vana-Troth and the Practice of Seidh and make up your own mind.

Now back to the issue of the Drudenfuß. In German folklore a Drude is supposed to be a malevolent spirit and in Southern Germany especially it is associated with nightmares. Druden were considered to participate in Woden`s Wild Hunt. It was also used as a term for `witch` in late mediaeval Germany. In popular folk etymology the word is also connected with `druid`. The Grimm Brothers associate the word with in their Deutsches Wörterbuch (German Dictionary) with the valkyrie Þrúðr. So the Drudenfuß is the Drude`s foot and was used by my German ancestors to ward off evil entities. It is thus a protective device and not a symbol of evil or `satanism` (a Semitic concept). Goethe made reference to this symbol in his Faust (1808). 

Mephistopheles:

I must confess, my stepping o'er

Thy threshold a slight hindrance doth impede;

The wizard-foot [Drudenfuss] doth me retain.

Faust:

The pentagram thy peace doth mar?

To me, thou son of hell, explain,

How camest thou in, if this thine exit bar?

Could such a spirit aught ensnare?

Mephistopheles:

Observe it well, it is not drawn with care,

One of the angles, that which points without,

Is, as thou seest, not quite closed.

It has also been used as a coat of arms. This is what Walther Blachetta in his 1941 book, Das Buch Der Deutschen Sinnzeichen(The Book of German Symbols) has to say about Der Drudenfuß:

Wotans Krieger`s translation:

"The Drudenfuß is the symbol for harmonic forming, in particular for that of humanity. Five senses, five fingers on each hand and (five toes) on each foot, five vowels in language, five parts of the body (head, two arms, two legs)-all five-numbers are found in the forming of humanity. Whilst today in folk art we rarely meet with the Drudenfuß or the five pointed star, in the past they were very widespread. They are to be found on Swedish rock pictures, on bronze pieces of equipment. And in mediaeval construction workers` huts the Drudenfuß was the sign of the inn. As coats of arms and especially often as house marks we can still observe the Drudenfuß today."

At the head of this article is an image of the coat of arms of the German town of Weiler-Rems in which there is a Drudenfuß, most prominently displayed. 

Die Dreierschild and the Triceps, Variants of the Valknut

Die Dreierschild and the Triceps are two closely related Germanic symbols and are variants of the Valknut.
The Dreierschild (pictured to the left) is known in English as the triquetra which simply means triangle and can refer to any 3 cornered shape. In England it is often incorrectly perceived to be a 'Celtic' symbol but this is false.

"The triquetra is likewise an old Germanic form of the trefot and the sign for the threefold duty, which God, the world and mankind place on every life. With the Dreipass (Wotans Krieger's edit-an alternative form of the triquetra pictured immediately above the Dreierschild but resembling 3 interconnected circles with a Dreierschild in the centre-a form of trefoil) we have already seen in the middle of the sign the triquetra portrayed through the blending of the three circles." (My translation of Walter Blachetta's Das Buch der Deutschen Sinnzeichen, 1941)

 
Regarding the triceps:

"The triceps, an old Nordic sign. A symbol of heavenly power. By tracing its perimeter from the apex back to the apex we realise the meaning of the words: 'The Will of God, descending upon the world, sways to and fro over the Earth, and returns again on high." (The Book of Signs, Rudolf Koch)

 The triceps consists of three connected Common Germanic connected Ing runes. The image of the Dreierschild attached to this article is the Wappen (coat of arms) of Hohberg in Germany.