Did you catch that three point symbol in Ahsoka? A few weeks ago, I wrote about the new Star Wars Ahsoka shirts, and highlighted one with a unique symbol.
The symbol behind this image of Ahsoka is known as a Triquetra. It’s also known as a Celtic knot, due to its prevalence in Celtic imagery and folklore. This image appears several times in Star Wars Ahsoka, but is especially highlighted in the puzzle ball that Sabine must unlock in the first two episodes of the series.
When Sabine unlocks the ball puzzle, likely using the Force in addition to her sharp engineering mind, she uncovers a map in which three red figures stand in a circle. This map is only shown when the design on the ball shows the triquetra symbol.
We see this motif repeated throughout the next few episodes. What is the importance of this symbol in Ahsoka? I have a few theories for this meta.
What Does the Triquetra Represent in Our World?
While the triquetra is associated with Celtic folklore and neopagans, it can be found outside of Ireland, such as Japan and Sweden. However, it is more popularly known as a Celtic symbol of either the Christian Trinity [the Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost], or the Triple Goddess.
In some cases, the Triple Goddess is the Morrigan comprised of Badb, Macha, and the Morrigan (redundant, I know, sometimes one is the Anand).
Neopagans and others use the Triquetra to symbolize any motif of a Triple Goddess, of which there are many in folklore. The main belief is that the three faces of the Goddess, or the Goddesses represent the Maiden, the Mother, and The Crone.
They are separate stages of a woman’s life, and phases of the moon. They are the Moirai [the Fates]. They are birth, growth, and death. They are Lucina/Selena the maiden and moon. They are Diana the Huntress, and Hecate the original witch and symbolic of death.
And if you are a fan of Charmed, either the original series that started in 1998, or the reboot of 2018, you know our three witch characters called on the Power of Three to create magic.
How does this Triquetra symbol in Ahsoka tie in to Star Wars?
What does the Triquetra Symbol in Ahsoka mean for the characters?
It’s hard not to notice that Star Wars: Ahsoka features three main female leads. Sabine Wren, Hera Syndulla, and Ahsoka Tano.
I believe that Dave Filoni is definitely tapping into popular pagan mythology and Triple Goddess symbolgy. Ahsoka Tano is the eldest of the group at 47. Of course, it’s a little odd to think of her as the “crone.” She’s not THAT old.
But it’s not about chronological age. Ahsoka is the Master to Sabine, and the one in a position of teacher. Of one who has Wisdom, even if she still has much to learn herself. And that’s a common theme in Star Wars, by the way. You are never too middle aged to change and learn. Teaching is itself a form of learning.
But I digress. Ahsoka is the Space Wizard, The Eldest, the one who was there through the Clone Wars and has William Blakeian Experience in abundance.
Sabine Wren is the Maiden, she is the learner, the crescent moon, coming into her own as one who has the Force. She is artist and engineer, but desperate to learn the magic of the Force.
Hera Syndulla is the Mother. Literally, and figuratively. She is the waxing moon, and the balance between Sabine and Ahsoka. She is older than Sabine, younger than Ahsoka. She mediates between different worlds, whether between Force Users, or the New Republic.
However, it is also true that triple deities feature in Star Wars within it’s own mythology.
The Mortis Gods
The Triple Deity has been a symbol in Star Wars long before the Ahsoka series, even if the Triquetra itself was not. The Clone War arc, gave of the story of fantastic Force beings known as the Mortis.
They were represented by a Father, Son, and Daughter. The Daughter was the Light, the Son was the Dark (and often reluctantly), and The Father kept the balance.
Fans have speculated for years on what it means for the series. The Father asked Anakin Skywalker, Ahsoka’s Master, to take his place. Anakin refused.
The Daughter gave her life essence to Ahsoka, and now an aspect of her lives as a guardian conver named Morai. That’s right, the Moirai similar to the Fates.
Is Anakin the Father who presides over his twin children Luke and Leia? Over the Dyad of Ben Solo and Rey?
Is Ahsoka Tano fated to be a new Daughter? Then who would be the Son? Or is Ahsoka the new Mother who presides over a new Dark and Light child?
Ultimately, the Mortis arc enforced the idea that the Dark and Light must exist and be in balance.
Going back to Sabine’s puzzle ball, there were three figures in the map. Are they are Triple Goddesses? Or Three Zeffo Sages?
I don’t think Dave Filoni is giving us a simple or singular answer to these questions. And hopefully more of this mythos will be uncovered so we can further understand the place of the Triquetra symbol in Ahsoka.