It is the Triquetra (try-KET-ra, Latin for "three cornered"). Fans of the TV show know that the symbol represents the "power of three." The "power of three" is the combined magical power of the Halliwell sisters, three "good" witches who live together in San Francisco. Each week the sisters combine their powers to save the world from evil supernatural creatures and other assorted creepy crawlies. They also find time to juggle interesting relationship problems with boyfriends who either know too much or too little about the witch business. On top of it all, the sisters manage to support themselves working at their respective jobs since good witches don't use their powers for personal gain, or so the show tells us. They have to go to work like everyone else. The Triquetra is on the cover on the "Book of Shadows," a powerful spell book, and on the Spiritboard, the prop department's idea of what a talking board looks like. The Halliwells might be surprised to learn that the Triquetra also appears on the Christian Bible, New King James Version, in real life. Real life Wiccans claim that they had it first. Makes for an interesting situation, to say the least.
Many cultures and religions consider the number three to be holy or divine. The symbol of three interlocking circles has been found on 5000 year old Indian religious statuary. We see lots and lots of threes if we just look around. The Triquetra symbol itself dates as early as the eighth century on carved stones in northern Europe. A Norse rune known as the Odin Knot or Val Knot resembles it almost exactly. But who had it first, the pagans or the Christians? To know for sure, we would have to find a Triquetra that positively pre-dates Christianity. Since this hasn't happened yet, we're in a bit of a pickle. Maybe it originated with the pagans or maybe with the Christians. Maybe it's one of those universal signs like the cross and the triangle that pop up in cultures irrespective of one another. The pagans have a few points in their favor, however. We can speculate knowing what we do of similar signs. The early Christians freely "appropriated" many pagan symbols, rituals, and holidays and took them as their own. The Mandorla, the Christians' sacred almond, was originally a pagan feminine symbol signifying fertility. The Christians changed it to one representing virginity and purity. It is pictured in early Christian art as the almond-shaped halo of Christ. So it's quite probable that the early Christians adopted the Triquetra, an interlocking triple Mandorla, also. In the final analysis, maybe the origin isn't nearly as important as its meaning to the group, or the individual. So whether you're pagan, Christian, or simply a fan of the television show "Charmed," you may believe what you want to believe.
Sisters in the Power of Three
Bonding, loving, sharing, times three.Secrets of my heart are free.Sisters know the hidden goal,All the desires of my soul.
One with Lord and Lady are,Uniting underneath the star.Hope soars, Life is great,Together we will meet our fate.
My sisters know the me inside,From them nothing hides.Laughing till the break of day,Fighting ills , come what may.
We three share a bond that's true,Others haven't got a clue.Maiden, Mother, and the CroneTrading places not alone.
Today the Maiden, tomorrow the Crone,Yesterday I was alone.Tomorrow the Mother I'll be,Perhaps it's the Maiden that you'll see.
Each day brings a new outlook,and adds a page into our book.Places interchangeable stood,From within the sisterhood.
Three sisters names we say,Mother, Maiden, Crone today.Silver, green and gold that bind,Each heart intune with other minds.
Each heart a treasure to behold,More valuable than Earthly gold.We stand together The Power of Three,By Lord and Lady, so mote it be!
