14 Spiritual Meanings of the Triangle

In the world of symbolism, the triangle is among the most significant of all shapes. Just looking at a triangle you can feel the inherent power of its shape, and not surprisingly it has held many meanings for different cultures around the world over the centuries.

Even today, the triangle is an important symbol, found on everything from traffic signs to banknotes. For anyone interested in knowing more about this powerful image, in this post we discuss triangle symbolism and what triangles can mean to different people.

Different types of triangles

Before we talk about the meaning of triangles, we need to take a step back and remember some basic geometries – as there are different types of triangles and the symbolism can vary depending on the type.

Triangles can be classified by one of two characteristics – their interior angles or the lengths of their sides.

When all sides of a triangle are equal, it is called an equilateral triangle. The angles of an equilateral triangle are also all equal – they all measure 60° – so this type of triangle can be considered the most perfect type of triangle and is a commonly used symbol.

A triangle with two sides of equal length is called an isosceles triangle, a triangle with three sides of different lengths is called a scalene triangle.

When one of the angles of a triangle is 90°, it is said to be a right triangle. A triangle in which all angles are less than 90° is called an acute triangle, while a triangle with an angle greater than 90° is called an obtuse triangle.

These types of irregularly shaped triangles are less commonly used as symbols because they don’t have the same power as equilateral triangles or isosceles triangles.

Triangles and the number three

The key feature that makes triangles so important and meaningful is the fact that they have three points – the word “triangle” means “three angles” – and the number three is considered one of the most significant of all numbers.

Three is considered the perfect number, and instances of trinities occur countless times around the world in various contexts.

One of the most famous trinities is the Christian Holy Trinity of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit – but there are many others.

For example, there is the trinity of mother, father and child that represents the family. Time can be divided into past, present and future, and the world can be divided into three realms, heaven, hell and earth.

In life we ​​go through three main stages, birth, life and death – and life itself can also be divided into childhood, middle age and old age.

In short, the number three is found everywhere, so often that it can’t be a coincidence – and the triangle is the symbol that represents this important number.

In numerology, the number one represents power and two represents opening. Three represents the awakening of wisdom and is also the union of one and two, which is another reason three is such an important number – and the triangle such an important shape.

Different meanings of the triangle symbol

As we have seen, the triangle is an important symbolic shape and represents the number three, which is also one of the most significant numbers – so now let’s take a closer look at the symbolism of triangles.

1. The Holy Trinity

As we have already mentioned, one of the most famous trinities in the Christian faith is the Holy Trinity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

This represents the triadic understanding of God as three divine persons existing simultaneously, sharing the same essence, and all being God – but not the same being.

As an aside, it is interesting to note that in the story of Jesus’ birth, the baby is visited by the Three Kings. Again we see the appearance of the number three, which is certainly no coincidence.

2. The Eye of Providence

The Eye of Providence or the All Seeing Eye is another triangle symbol associated with Christianity. Depicted as a triangle with an eye inside, it represents divine providence – or God watching over humanity.

It has been used in Christian art since the Renaissance to represent the Holy Trinity, reminding believers that God is constantly upholding the natural order of the universe.

This symbol is also found on the Great Seal of the United States, which appears on the back of the one dollar bill.

Some people believe that this symbol also secretly refers to the role of Freemasons in the founding of the United States. However, this image was not adopted by Freemasons until several years after the creation of the Great Seal, so this conspiracy theory is unlikely to be true.

3. The third eye

In Hinduism, the Anya Chakra – also called the Third Eye – sits in your forehead between your eyes and is represented by a triangle.

The third eye allows you to see beyond the earthly realm to the higher levels of the spirit world. It also allows you to see within yourself, understand yourself better and develop spiritually.

4. Alchemy – the elements

In ancient beliefs, the whole world was believed to be made up of four basic elements, air, earth, fire and water – and each is represented by a triangle.

A triangle pointing up represents fire, while a triangle pointing down represents water.

A triangle with the apex up and a horizontal line through it represents air, and a triangle with the apex down and a horizontal line through it is the symbol for earth.

Ether, the so-called fifth element, also known as quintessence, was thought to fill the universe beyond the terrestrial realm. This mysterious and magical element is represented by superimposed triangles forming a star.

5. Change

The capital version of the Greek letter delta is written as a triangle, as follows: Δ.

It is used in physics as a symbol to represent change, which is interesting because the triangle can also represent change.

Part of the reason the triangle is such a powerful symbol is that it represents harmony and balance. When the three sides are balanced, as in an equilateral triangle, this creates the necessary conditions for change or evolution to take place.

When this happens, the triangle can also be seen as a symbol of a door, and the door, in turn, symbolizes the opening of new opportunities.

6. Yantras in Hindu belief

In the Hindu faith, as well as in the beliefs of other religions from India such as Buddhism and Jainism, yantras are geometric designs that can be used for worship or as an aid to meditation.

In a way, yantras serve a similar purpose to mantras, but are more visual than spoken.

Many yantras contain triangle symbols, and the way they are designed connects them to a specific god.

Some people believe that by hanging up a god’s yantra, one can receive the kind of energy that god embodies.

For example, to attract spiritual or material wealth and prosperity, you should hang a Lakshmi Yantra, while a Kali Yantra will bring you strength and courage during transitions.

Similarly, a Saraswati yantra will help you find creative inspiration, and a Ganesha yantra will help you clear metaphorical obstacles from your path.

7. The Buddhist Trikaya

In Buddhism, the triangle represents Trikaya, the three bodies or modes of a Buddha. They are the body of essence, the body of joy and the body of transformation.

Triangles are also commonly found in Buddhist temples, as the triangle is associated with the number three, which is considered good luck and auspicious.

8. Ancient Egypt – a symbol of protection

When we think of triangles, we must remember some of the largest triangles that ever existed, those that form the sides of the pyramids in Egypt.

Although the pyramid shape was adapted in part for practical reasons, since the distribution of weight in a pyramid allowed ancient civilizations to construct large monumental architecture, the shape also has symbolic significance.

The pyramids were built as tombs for pharaohs, with the large base touching the ground and the top of the structure pointing towards the sky and the sun.

This can be seen as an end for the physical body but a new beginning for the spirit as it could ascend to heaven to be closer to Ra, the god of the sun.

Pyramids are also said to have special healing powers in modern spiritual practices, and sleeping under a pyramid is believed to optimize the energies in your body.

9. Feng Shui

In Chinese feng shui, the triangle represents upward or forward movement and is the opposite of grounding energy, meaning it is not an appropriate symbol in most places in a home.

In your home, you typically want to create harmony with grounding or stabilizing influences, and the triangle is the opposite of that.

However, triangles are appropriate in places where upward and forward energy is desirable, such as. B. in a home office or gym as the energy of manifestation they bring can help you achieve more while working or exercising.

10. Male and female

Triangles can represent both the masculine and the feminine depending on how they are drawn.

A triangle pointing down is a feminine symbol representing feminine energies. This means it is associated with intuition and passive receiving of energy.

On the other hand, a triangle with the apex at the top is a masculine symbol representing masculine energies. This symbol is associated with determination and action.

11. Native American Symbolism – Homeland

In Native American culture, the triangle often represents home – for obvious reasons, since a triangle takes the shape of the teepee, the traditional conical slope of certain Native American tribes.

They can sometimes be depicted with other triangles within the main triangle, representing the extended family, other members of the tribe, and a sense of belonging.

12. The walnut

The Valknut is a symbol consisting of three interlocking triangles and was used by various ancient Germanic peoples. It is known, for example, from an Anglo-Saxon ring from the 8th or 9th century and from Viking ship burials.

The…