What Does a Triangle Symbol Mean? Spiritual & Cultural Interpretations

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Learn the worldwide significance of triangles
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Triangles are just about everywhere, from dollar bills to car dashboards. While many triangular symbols are linked to religious beliefs (like the Holy Trinity), there’s lots more to these sharp shapes than what meets the eye. In this article, we’ll break down exactly what all these different triangles represent, including alchemic and spiritual symbols.

Things You Should Know

  • The triangle symbol is often associated with Christianity and the 3 parts of the Holy Trinity: God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
  • The alchemic elements of fire, water, air, and earth are depicted with variations of upright and upside-down triangles.
  • The Eye of Providence (an eye in the middle of a triangle) was used as a religious symbol for God in the Renaissance period. It’s commonly seen on the US dollar bill.
Section 1 of 2:

Types of Triangle Symbols

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  1. In math, an equilateral triangle is a triangle where all 3 angles are exactly 60 degrees. This shape is thought by some to represent perfection, and some Christians even treat the triangle as a symbol of God and the Holy Trinity . [1] Some also associate triangles with groups of 3, like:
    • A father, mother, and child
    • The past, the present, and the future
    • The mind, body, and spirit
    • The beginning, middle, and end
    • Birth, life, and death
  2. Inverted triangles are thought to symbolize womanhood, motherhood, and the moon. This contrasts directly with upright triangles, which represent the sun and masculinity.
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  3. Double triangles (or two triangles overlapping) carry unique meanings to different people. For some, double triangles represent:
    • A representation of God and the Trinity in Christianity
    • A transition through life (past, present, and future)
    • The phases of the moon
  4. Historically, the dotted triangle symbol (∴) is shorthand for the word “therefore.” It’s sometimes seen in math problems. [2]
    • x - 3 = 5
      ∴ x = 8
  5. This iconic equilateral triangle features an “all-seeing eye” in the center. It’s best known for its appearance on the American dollar bill, but its symbolic roots are actually religious. Back in the Renaissance era, some artists would use the Eye to symbolize God. [3]
    • No one is entirely sure where the Eye of Providence originally came from, but there could be ties to cultures that utilized eye symbolism, like Sumerian and Egyptian civilizations.
  6. Sometimes called the “Trinity Knot,” this ancient symbol resembles 3 eye-shaped ovals overlapping and forming a triangle shape. Some versions of the design feature a circle threaded through the center. [4] From a spiritual standpoint, this symbol is often associated with the Holy Trinity of Christianity. [5]
    • While this symbol is commonly associated with Ireland and Celtic history, it’s been used in different cultures. [6]
  7. The capitalized Greek letter “delta” resembles a small triangle (Δ), while the lowercase letter looks almost like a cursive “d” (δ). In fields like math and physics, the triangular “delta” Δ is often used as shorthand for a change in value. [7]
  8. Physically speaking, a pyramid is a 3D shape made up of 4 triangular sides as well as a square base. [8] In ancient Egypt, pyramids carried a special symbolism of eternity, and the belief of living on after death. The pyramids themselves were where pharaohs were laid to rest. [9]
    • In ancient Egyptian culture, death wasn’t seen as a permanent end, but rather the start of a trip to the realm beyond.
  9. Triangle variations were used to symbolize the 4 elements in alchemy. Alchemic symbols represented different types of metals and elements. Some were depicted using varieties of equilateral triangles, like:
    • Fire: 🜂 or upright triangle
    • Water: 🜄 or inverted triangle
    • Air: 🜁 or upright triangle with line cutting across
    • Earth: 🜃 or inverted triangle with line cutting across [10]
  10. Many car dashboards feature variations of triangular symbols , like the triangle with a “!” inside. This is a non-specific warning that points to some kind of issue in a car and may pop up with another warning light. [11]
  11. In the real world, this symbol represents the Holy Trinity in Christianity. [12] In the fictional world, however, it’s well-known for its appearances in:
    • The Harry Potter franchise as the Deathly Hallows symbol (a circle within a triangle with a vertical line running down the center)
    • The Paranormal Activity franchise as the thaumaturgic triangle
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Section 2 of 2:

Spiritual & Cultural Triangle Symbols

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  1. The Trinity, or the idea that God is 3 distinct Persons (God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit), is a core element of the Christian faith. A simple equilateral triangle symbolizes this concept, as well as: [13]
    • A trefoil (a 3-clover-like shape)
    • An interlocked circle and equilateral triangle
    • A triquetra
  2. Three important elements create an “ethical triangle” in the Muslim faith: Taqwa (following and respecting God), Ramadan (a period of holy fasting), and the Quran (Islam’s holy text). While these aspects aren’t represented by a physical symbol, they are a “triangular” representation of Islam. [14]
    • In Islam, the triangle can also represent 3 themes of consciousness: the person who knows something, the act of gaining knowledge, and that which is known. [15]
  3. A yantra is a special symbol or diagram created for rituals within certain Hindu and Buddhist faiths. They often involve some pattern of triangles—for instance, the yantra associated with the goddess Shakti includes a pattern of 9 triangles. [16]
  4. An important part of Mahayana Buddhism is the trikaya, or the idea enlightenment involves 3 parts (also known as “bodies”): Dharmakaya (the transcendent body), Sambhogakaya (the blissful body), and Nirmanakaya (the earthly body). [17] A tri-colored symbol of 3 triangles swirled together in a circle is often used to represent the trikaya.
  5. Triangles had symbolic meaning in Native American culture, especially in the northeast portion of the United States. Within this culture, the triangle symbolized protection against spirits. [18]
    • Some associate the triangle with tipis, the cone-shaped triangular homes once used by Native Americans in the Plains region of the United States. [19]
  6. In astrology, a triangle is better known as a grand trine , or a perfect triangular connection between planets on a person’s birth chart. Grand trines are positive symbols that help point toward a person’s talents. There are four different types: [20]
    • Water trines: A triangle between Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces
    • Fire trines: A triangle between Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius
    • Air trines: A triangle between Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius
    • Earth trines: A triangle between Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn
  7. Triangles are patterns that can appear within the palms of your hands. Depending on the “line” they fall on, these triangles can mean different things: [21]
    • Marriage line: You’ll have good fortune
    • Head line: You’ll be well-spoken and successful in school
    • Center of palm: You’ll have positive luck and fortune
  8. Triangles symbolize the fire element in feng shui, a Chinese practice that involves creating a good flow of energy between a person and the space they’re in. Triangular elements can give an energy boost to a space when used in moderation, but can be tiring when overused. [22]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.holytrinityamblecote.org.uk/symbols.html
      2. ↑ https://www.math.ucdavis.edu/~anne/WQ2007/mat67-Common_Math_Symbols.pdf
      3. ↑ https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20201112-the-eye-of-providence-the-symbol-with-a-secret-meaning
      4. ↑ https://www.theirishroadtrip.com/the-triquetra-celtic-trinity-knot/
      5. ↑ https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3814&context=extensionhist
      6. ↑ https://www.theirishroadtrip.com/the-triquetra-celtic-trinity-knot/
      7. ↑ https://www.mathcentre.ac.uk/resources/uploaded/mc-bus-symbols-2009-1.pdf
      8. ↑ https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/pyramid
      9. ↑ https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/pyramid/explore/age2.html
      1. ↑ https://www.getty.edu/research/exhibitions_events/exhibitions/alchemy/AoA_symbols.pdf
      2. ↑ https://www.autonationmobileservice.com/blog/triangle-with-exclamation-point/
      3. ↑ https://www.holytrinityamblecote.org.uk/symbols.html
      4. ↑ https://oldcem.bc.ca/what-we-do/gp/gp_art/gp-arts/geometric/
      5. ↑ https://www.islamicity.org/4440/ethical-triangle-of-islam/
      6. ↑ https://www.mhs.ox.ac.uk/scienceislam_education/docs/Geometric%20drawing%20in%20Islam.pdf
      7. ↑ https://www.britannica.com/topic/yantra
      8. ↑ https://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/subdivisions/mahayana.shtml
      9. ↑ https://www.stonestructures.org/html/symbolism.html
      10. ↑ http://plainshumanities.unl.edu/encyclopedia/doc/egp.arc.048
      11. ↑ https://www.astrology.com/article/grand-trine-astrology/
      12. ↑ https://www.yourchineseastrology.com/palmistry/hand-marks/triangle.htm
      13. ↑ https://redlotusletter.com/the-5-lucky-shapes-of-feng-shui/

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