Triple Goddess Symbol – What is its True Meaning?
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As moon phases gain popularity, it’s easy to overlook the meaning and history behind these symbols.
The Triple Goddess symbol, featuring a waxing crescent, full moon, and waning crescent, is often included among trending moon imagery but has deeper roots and more profound significance than you might expect.
Most witches, Pagans, Wiccans, and Neopagans have adopted the Triple Goddess symbol as a sacred symbol.
Many spiritual and Neopagan communities regard the Triple Goddess as a deity of great importance. It’s common to see the symbol adorning the headdresses of High Priestesses, as it represents the divine feminine and the various stages of life.
You may already be familiar with the Triple Goddess symbol and hold it in profound esteem, or perhaps you’ve always felt drawn to it but aren’t sure why.
Check out this past post, where I delve into the history of the Triple Goddess and provide a free printable wall hanging.
Origin of the Triple Goddess Symbol
There have been instances of triple goddesses throughout ancient cultures, with a single goddess appearing in groupings of three. Examples include Moirai, Stymphalos, and Horae, and of Hellenistic origins.
However, the most significant Triple Goddess of ancient times is Diana, also known as Hecate in the underworld.
In the 3rd century AD, the philosopher Porphyry mentions that the three aspects of Diana (Diana as the moon, Diana as Huntress, and Diana of the underworld) represent the three phases of the moon.
The modern view of the Triple Goddess emerged from the work of poet Robert Graves, who used the term “Triple Goddess” in the mid-20th century. In the book titled The White Goddess, Robert popularized the triplicity to be Maiden, Mother, and Crone.
It has become a fundamental aspect of many Neopagan and Wiccan traditions, representing the three phases of a woman’s life and the cycles of life, death, and rebirth.
What is the Triple Goddess Symbol?
The Triple Goddess symbol, also known as the triple moon symbol, is depicted by two crescent moons flanking a full moon. The left side of the symbol portrays a waxing moon, the center displays a full moon, and the right represents a waning moon. This symbol represents the changing phases of the moon, which correspond with the stages of womanhood, and the endless cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth.
The moon is often seen as a representation of the Triple Goddess and the three phases of womanhood: the Maiden, the Mother, and the Crone.
The Triple Goddess symbol suggests that women share the same rhythm as the moon, with the female body typically corresponding to a 28-day cycle.
The three primary phases of a woman’s life correspond with the three phases of the moon, which are depicted by the Triple Goddess symbol.
- The Maiden
The Maiden represents the springtime of life, when everything is fresh and new, and the world is full of possibilities. The Maiden symbol is often depicted as a waxing crescent moon, a phase in the early stages of the moon’s cycle. This phase is associated with new beginnings, growth, potential, youth energy, and vitality.
In Neopagan and Wiccan traditions, the Maiden is often invoked for help with creativity, fertility, and new ventures. She is seen as a symbol of hope, inspiration, and enthusiasm and is associated with the element of air, which represents the mind and communication.
The Maiden symbol embodies the energy of new beginnings, encouraging us to pursue our dreams and embrace change. She reminds us that life is a journey of growth and discovery and encourages us to approach each new challenge with an open mind and a positive attitude.
As a symbol of youth and vitality, the Maiden represents the potential for growth and transformation. She reminds us to stay curious, explore the world, and embrace new experiences enthusiastically and joyfully.
Overall, the Maiden symbol represents the divine feminine’s youthful, energetic, and creative aspects and encourages us to tap into our potential for growth and transformation.
- The Mother
The Mother symbol of the Triple Goddess is often represented by a full moon, the point in the lunar cycle when the moon is at its brightest and fullest. This phase is associated with abundance, fertility, nurturing, and the energy of creation and manifestation.
In Neopagan and Wiccan traditions, the Mother is often invoked to help with fertility, nurturing, and abundance. She is seen as a symbol of fertility, creativity, and the power of manifestation and is associated with the element of water, which represents emotions and intuition.
The Mother symbol represents the energy of creation and nurturing, reminding us of caring for ourselves and others. She embodies the nurturing, life-giving energy that sustains all living things.
As a symbol of fertility and abundance, the Mother encourages us to cultivate a sense of gratitude for all the blessings in our lives and to focus on nurturing and caring for ourselves and those around us.
Overall, the Mother symbol represents the nurturing, life-giving energy of the divine feminine and encourages us to tap into our capacity for compassion, empathy, and nurturing.
- The Crone
The Crone symbol of the Triple Goddess is often represented by a waning crescent moon, a phase of the moon that occurs in the later stages of its cycle. This phase is associated with transformation, wisdom, release, the energy of the aging process, and the cycle of death and rebirth.
In Neopagan and Wiccan traditions, the Crone is often invoked for help with matters such as letting go, finding wisdom, and transformation.
She is seen as a symbol of transformation, release, and the power of wisdom and is associated with the element of earth, representing stability and grounding.
The Crone symbol represents the energy of transformation and release, reminding us of the importance of letting go of what no longer serves us and embracing the wisdom and transformation that comes with aging.
As a symbol of wisdom and transformation, the Crone encourages us to embrace change and cultivate a sense of wisdom and perspective as we move through life’s challenges.
Triple Goddess Symbol and Other Divine Feminine Symbols
The Triple Goddess symbol is just one of the many symbols associated with the divine feminine. Throughout history, various cultures and religions have honored goddesses and their many forms, each with unique symbols and associations.
One such Goddess is Venus, who the Romans worshiped as the Goddess of love, beauty, and fertility. She was often depicted with symbols such as a dove, a seashell, and a mirror, representing her beauty and sexuality.
The waxing crescent of the Triple Goddess symbol can also be associated with Venus, as it represents new beginnings and the start of a new cycle.
Another goddess associated with the divine feminine is Isis, who was revered in ancient Egypt as the Goddess of magic, motherhood, and fertility. Isis was often depicted with a headdress featuring cow horns and a sun disk, symbols of her power and association with the sun.
The full moon in the Triple Goddess symbol can be associated with Isis as it represents the peak of her power and the abundance of life.
Gaia is another goddess who represents the divine feminine in many cultures. In Greek mythology, Gaia is the Goddess of the earth and Mother to all living things.
Her symbols include trees, fruits, and animals, representing the natural world and the abundance of life.
The waning crescent of the Triple Goddess symbol can be associated with Gaia as it represents the end of a cycle and the preparation for a new beginning.
In conclusion, the Triple Goddess symbol is just one of the many symbols associated with the divine feminine. Its meaning and associations can vary depending on the culture or religion.
Understanding the relationship between the Triple Goddess symbol and other symbols of the divine feminine can deepen our connection to the feminine energy and help us appreciate the beauty and power of the Goddess in all her forms.
The Triple Moon in Jewelry and Tattoos
In addition to being a popular design in jewelry, the triple moon symbol is also a common choice for tattoos. It can be inked in various styles and sizes, making it a versatile option for those looking to incorporate a meaningful symbol into their body art.
Wearing the triple moon symbol as jewelry or getting it tattooed on your body can be a powerful way to connect with the energy of the divine feminine.
It can serve as a reminder of the cyclical nature of life and the power of transformation.
When choosing a piece of triple moon jewelry or getting a tattoo, it’s essential to consider the meaning behind the symbol and what it represents to you personally.
Whether it symbolizes empowerment, a connection to nature, or a tribute to the Goddess, the triple moon can hold a deep significance for those who choose to incorporate it into their style or body art.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Wear Or Use This Symbol?
The Triple Goddess symbol can serve as a powerful reminder of the sacredness of womanhood and the cyclical nature of life. It represents the three phases of womanhood – Maiden, Mother, and Crone – and the eternal cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth. Wearing or using the symbol can help you connect with the divine feminine and all it represents.
When Did The Triple Goddess Symbol Originate?
There are instances of triple goddesses in ancient cultures, such as the Horae, Moirai, and Stymphalos of Hellenistic origins. The most significant Triple Goddess of ancient times is Diana, also known as Hecate in the underworld.
However, the term Triple Goddess was popularized by the poet Robert Graves in the mid-20th century, who claimed this triplicity to be Maiden, Mother, and Crone in his book The White Goddess.
Who Are The Three Goddesses?
The three goddesses of the Triple Goddess symbol are Maiden, Mother, and Crone. The Maiden represents youth, new beginnings, and growth potential. The Mother represents fertility, nurturing, and the power of creation. The Crone represents wisdom, endings, and the cycle of death and rebirth.
What Is The Meaning Of The Moon Goddess?
The moon goddess is a representation of the divine feminine and the changing phases of the moon. In many cultures, the moon goddess is associated with fertility, birth, and nurturing. The Triple Goddess symbol incorporates the moon’s phases and represents the three phases of womanhood.
Who is the most powerful moon goddess?
Many powerful moon goddesses exist in mythology, such as Selene, Artemis, and Hecate. However, the most powerful moon goddess in Wiccan and Pagan traditions is often considered the Triple Goddess, who represents the three aspects of the moon – waxing, full, and waning.
Who is the Triple Goddess in Greek mythology?
The Triple Goddess appears in Greek mythology as the Goddess Hecate. She was the Goddess of the moon, magic, witchcraft, and the underworld. She was often depicted as a triple goddess, with three faces or three different aspects – Maiden, Mother, and Crone.
Wrapping Up
You don’t need to be a follower of Paganism or Wicca to appreciate the Triple Goddess symbol. However, knowing the symbol’s meaning can add depth to your connection to the divine feminine and all it represents.
Incorporating the Triple Goddess symbol into your life can also be a meaningful way to honor the natural world and its cycles. As the moon waxes and wanes, so too do the seasons change, and we can find comfort in knowing that we are a part of this never-ending cycle of growth, decay, and renewal.
Wearing the Triple Goddess symbol can serve as a powerful reminder throughout the day of the sacredness of womanhood and the cyclical nature of life.
While some people criticize the Maiden, Mother, Crone analogy for dividing women into three stages, we see these phases as symbols of inspiration and exploration rather than limiting gender roles.
Remember that you don’t have to be a mother to nurture and create; your life is filled with many stages beyond these archetypes. Embrace the Triple Goddess symbol as a representation of the divine feminine within you and the eternal cycle of life, death, and rebirth.