Triple Spiral.

A couple of years ago, I was asked to create a piece of calligraphy as a gift from a then fiancé to his bride-to-be. They had come to Ireland that year from Virginia in the States to spend time with some of her family that were still alive.

While they were here, he proposed to her on a beautiful day in a historic churchyard where her ancestors are buried. He wanted me to capture the moment. It was a fabulous commission and I delighted in every second of it. I love pieces that ask me to research and this one did.

“is tù mo ghrà
grà geal mo chroí
mo grà go deo”

“you are my love,
the bright love of my heart,
my love forever”

Google translate

My customer Dan, wanted me to capture the atmosphere of being in this ancient space. He asked me to speak with a local historian up in County Cavan, Eugene Markey. Who once realised that I wanted to know the mythology surrounding the grounds got into the storytelling mode and “wow” did we have a wonderful conversation? He also happened to be a cousin of Dan’s wife-to-be. Which allowed me to get to know her better and it was while talking with Eugene he mentioned using spirals as she had a deep interest in spiritual living.

After my conversation with Eugene, my head was spinning with ideas and imagery. And, after speaking to my Irish speaking friends to make sure that I understood the meanings of words. I settled down to outline the piece and capturing the essence of Moy Bologue, County Cavan.

At first, my sketches were just scribbles on a page as nothing really made sense. As I allowed myself zone in, my mind kept on being drawn toward the mother goddess and the triple spiral.

I decided it would be a good idea to listen to my inner voice, and have what I thought was going to be a quick internet search for spirals and triple spirals with connections to the deities of ancient Ireland…

I knew that spirals are found everywhere in Ireland and around the world.

This symbolism is very ancient and no one really knows the meaning. Some say that they represent the universe while others say they represent three, land, sky and sea, there are so many different interpretations it can get confusing.

I decided to settle on the understanding that the spiral was a representation of the five classical elements. Earth, Water, Air, Ether and Fire. Or, the cosmos, earth, sun and moon. And, the meaning changes depending on where you find the symbol. If, for example, found at a scared site, the spirals could represent an equinox which I’m guessing tells us that the people of land, lived by the solar calendar.

Ok, so now what about the triple spiral and the Mother Goddess?

I had no idea of what her name was. All I knew was that there was a Mother Goddess of Ireland because over the years of living here, I’ve heard Seanchaí’s (Irish Storytellers) speak of her.

Here’s what I learnt?

The Mother Goddess is an ancient Irish triple goddess who is considered the “Great Mother” of all the gods of Ireland”, she’s the creator of all, as well the Goddess of water and land. She’s also the mother of the Tuatha Dé Danann and connected to the Faeries Hills. As well as having links to the Dolmens, portal tombs and portal graves. However, there is very little know about her. And, the symbol that represents her is the triple spiral.

image created using AI

What the triple represents depends on whose interpretation you want to take on board. It can mean:

• The Maiden, the Mother and the Crone

• Birth, fertility and wisdom

• Wind, water and earth

Her symbol the triskele or triple spiral is ancient, in the box thinkers say it’s 5,000 years old, out of the box thinkers say thousands of years older.

My trip down the rabbit hole revealed that no one can say for sure what the symbolism means. However, what became clear is that it was used worldwide. It is associated with polytheistic belief systems, pre-Christian and pre-Celtic Ireland. And, is very closely associated with the Mother Goddess Danu (Anu). My instincts tell me that this was a powerful symbol of the ancients.

Remembering we’re in the realm of mythology or what we consider to be mythology. It is said that the ancients were encoding knowledge within the stories told that we now consider mythology. 

Her arrival in Ireland is shrouded in mystery.

Folklore says that her people the magical, supernatural Tuatha Dé Danann arrived in flying machines surrounded by a mist protected by their mother Danu.

“They arrived in Ireland” where from? When you looked across the continent of Eurasia, you find rivers that are named after her.

• Danube is the second-longest river in Europe, after the Volga in Russia. It flows through Central and South-eastern Europe, from the Black Forest into the Black Sea.
• The Dniester is a river in Eastern Europe. It runs through Ukraine and then through Moldova finally out to the Black Sea.
• Don River flows from Central Russia to the Sea of Azov in Southern Russia

Following the theory of an out of India migration, I decided to see if I could find any information on the Goddess in the sub-continent of India.

image create using AI

“In Hinduism, Danu is not just a mother figure but also a symbol of primordial waters, representing the chaotic and fertile aspects of the universe. Her importance is highlighted in various texts and traditions, where she is often associated with the nurturing yet formidable aspects of nature…
²

The name Danu symbolizes the nurturing and destructive powers of water. As a mother figure, she embodies the life-giving properties of water, essential for growth and sustenance. Simultaneously, water’s destructive potential is also inherent in her character, representing the dual nature of creation and destruction in the universe.” ³

Her children the Danavas, frequently clashed with the Devas in various mythological stories, highlighting her role in the ongoing struggle between good and evil in Hindu mythology. Until she was exiled along with her people from India after a great battle during the Satya Yuga era. An era that began some 77,000 or 75,000 BC and lasted until 11,000 BC. This is when they have been said to have disappeared.

When you read all the stories, folklore and mythology available to read on the Irish Goddess Danu or the Hindu Goddess, it makes sense that these stories are somehow connected.

Taking this on board, it felt right to use the triple spiral as the background for the calligraphy that I would inscribe over it.

Once, I started back on the piece it flowed. The triple spiral that I used for this piece is found at the entrance to Newgrange and other ancient sites in Ireland. 

The background is made up of greens and silvers to mimic moss and stone as well as adding a spiritual and mystical atmosphere to the piece, in the photograph you can’t see the subtle glistening. The lettering or script style is half-uncial. I used a blend of two inks, a matt green and gold.

Thank you for taking the time to read my musings! I hope you enjoyed and if you’re excited to explore these ideas further, why not tune into Scribing Journey’s? There’s so much more to discover, and I’d love for you to join the conversation! If you have a fresh perspective or an idea you’d like to chat about, drop me a message, and let’s connect. I can’t wait to hear from you!

Or, if you’re looking for a unique, heartfelt gift or something special just for yourself, my calligraphy pieces are crafted with care. Whether you’re interested in commissioning a one-of-a-kind gift or take a look at my online store browse the prints and drinkware. By supporting my work, you’re not only bringing home a meaningful, handmade piece—you’re also helping an independent artist continue to share the beauty of calligraphy.

Sharing musings and explorations.
Disclaimer: Not to be taken as fact.

Jagdeep Sahans

1. https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/0401a3ec756a4c42831cc38e3f6b98a7 ↩︎
2. https://www.ramana-maharshi.org/danu-the-mother-of-the-danavas-in-hindu-mythology/ ↩︎
3. https://www.ramana-maharshi.org/danu-the-mother-of-the-danavas-in-hindu-mythology/ ↩︎

References:
https://mythus.fandom.com/wiki/Danu_(Irish_goddess)
http://www.thegoddesstree.com/GoddessGallery/Danu.html
https://www.timelessmyths.com/celtic/danann/#Danu_Ana
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danava_(Hinduism)
https://buddhasflowers.com/blogs/blog/unveiling-the-mystical-meanings-of-spirals-from-ancient-artwork-to-cosmic-symbolism
https://medium.com/@ssunflower/spirals-symbolism-and-meaning-in-spirituality-bc5c898be578
https://www.indiawaterportal.org/articles/danube
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danu_(Asura)
https://thecelticjourney.wordpress.com/tag/danu/
https://bardmythologies.com/danu/