Or, this hub may also represent the heart of humanity at the center of natural influences and becoming a whole being through these energies. The center of this symbol represents the “hub” signifying unity of the three powers. Its prime meaning deals with balance among core influences found in Life, Nature and the Cosmos. This Celtic symbol meaning is almost synonymous with the triskelion, triskele, triquetra. See this page for more Celtic meanings for the five-fold symbol. This is the only avenue to progress, and the five-fold symbol is a great icon conveying this concept. The key is to be consciously focused on this present moment while all other moments, events, movements pass by us and through us. The ancient Druids recognized the chief method of achieving growth is to first be present and centered within the space of ‘what is’. The mind/soul/spirit reaches out to all directions and elements of existence while the center remains exactly that…centered. This can (and often is) taken into a spiritual metaphor. In this example, the center circle represents our present location. The four circles represent: North, South, East, West. Further, this can be considered a directional symbol. These elements are essential for the stability and progression of all life…so the symbol is a pretty big deal and conveys the importance of harmony with all of Nature. The middle circle unites all the elements with a goal to reach balance between all four elements or energies.
The four outer circles symbolize the four elements: Fire, Earth, Air, Water. I’ve devoted an entire page on the symbolic meaning of spiral here.Īs almost all other Celtic symbol meanings, this one also deals with balance. We might also view this symbol as human awareness and/or Nature itself always moving outward to gain more broad experiences. We could say, in this example, we (or the earth) is the center of the spiral and energy (the cosmos) is forever expanding outward into an infinite array of possibilities. The cosmic-savvy Celts understood that the universe is not only limitless, but ever expanding. In this respect the spiral takes an outward path. The spiral is also a symbol of the cosmos. In this light, each step we make winds us ever inward into ourselves, our core beliefs, and the roots of our community (the center of the spiral). More accurately, every life lived takes a spiral trajectory. Specifically, the spiral as a life symbol reminds us that our path is never from point ‘A’ to point ‘B’. As a spiraling labyrinth, this pictograph stands for the path we all take in life. This very same spiral symbol is often conveyed as a labyrinth in many ancient cultures, including Celtic. Also symbolizes growth, birth and expansion of consciousness. This symbol represents ethereal energy radiating out (or inward depending on your perspective). Some have iron breastplates of chainmail, while others fight naked.” ~Diodorus Siculus, 1st century BC Their trumpets again are of a particularly barbaric kind and produced a harsh sound that suits the tumult of war. In some cases, horns form one part with the helmet, while in other cases it is relief figures of the foreparts of birds or quadrupeds. On their heads, they wear bronze helmets that possess large projecting figures lending the appearance of enormous stature to the wearer. Some of them have projecting bronze animals of fine workmanship. “Their armor includes man-sized shields decorated in individual fashion. “The Celts were fearless warriors because “they wish to inculcate this as one of their leading tenets, that souls do not become extinct, but pass after death from one body to another.” ~Julius Caesar Here are a few direct observations from various sources about the Celts. Although there is not much in terms of written historical records directly from the ancient Celts, there are other sources that clue us into the colorful, fiery nature of the Celts.