The Awen Celtic Symbol – The Three Rays Of Light.
By Maria O'Farrell Carr
On our Irish tour we see this symbol engraved into a stone building across from our Bray hotel. In the Celtic language, the word “Awen” means essence or inspiration. For pronunciation, it can either be said as “ah-when”, “ou-when”, or “ah-oo-en”. The Awen symbol is fairly simple in design. Consisting of three rays leading up to a path to a high point of three dots all why surrounded by three circles.
There are multiple meanings for the Awen Celtic symbol. One interpretation is the two outside lines are symbolic of both man and women while the inside line represents balance. The most popular interpretation of the Awen symbol is three rays of light.
The number three is a very sacred number not just in Druidry but also in Celtic culture. The meaning of each ray of light has different meanings in culture. Another example minus the surrounding rings.
Some believe that they represent three divisions of the soul (mind, body and spirit)
Others believe it represents the three realms we inhabit (land, sea and sky)
Also underworld, middle world and upper world
Love, Wisdom and Truth
Nature, knowledge and truth
So as you can see, there are many meanings for the Awen.
Interestingly the three words for Druidry that illuminate darkness are nature, knowledge and truth.
The circle or sometimes three circles surrounding the symbol indicate the cyclical and timeless nature of these trinities as well as the three circles of creation.
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