triskelion
1
9.9
- noun
- /trɪˈskɛliən/
:
triskelion
- In ancient Celtic art, the triskelion symbolizes motion and the concept of infinity.
Examples
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Many modern logos incorporate a triskelion to represent the idea of growth and continuity.
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Thus, in the television episode "The Gamesters of Triskelion," Kirk and several crew members are involved in gladiatorial contests.
Academic text (2000) -
The flag features a unique triskelion design in its center.
Synonyms
1
9.9
A symbol with three curved arms that come out from the center
How Complex
Surface Forms
Morphology
triskelion = triskel (semi-transparent) = tri + skelion
The prefix 'tri-' clearly signals 'three', but the rest of the form is a borrowed Greek element unfamiliar to most learners, so the overall form gives a partial clue rather than a fully transparent meaning.
Etymology
Triskelion comes from the Greek parts tri- meaning 'three' and skelos meaning 'leg', so it originally meant 'three legs'. Picture a turning trio of legs or three spirals coming out from one point, and that image explains why a triskelion is a symbol of three curved arms or legs coming out from a single center.