Interlacing circles
From the sixteenth century we have another device setting forth the doctrine of the Trinity. This is a triangle terminating at the corners in three circles, and in the center another circle with lines connecting it with the circles at the corners. A legend is combined with the figure, which serves to explain it. The English equivalent of the Latin words is as follows: Deus, God; Pater, the Father; Filius, the Son; Sanctus Spiritus, the Holy Ghost; est, is; non est, is not.
Triangle and circles
Symbols of the father Almighty.—For the first four centuries the only symbol employed to represent God the Father Almighty was a hand issuing from clouds, or reaching down in benediction from heaven.
A symbol of much later origin is a triangle with the word "Jehovah," in Hebrew letters, inscribed within it and placed in the center of a radiating circle, or halo, symbolic of eternity.
Symbols of our Lord.—While the cross was in constant use by the early Christians, no effort was made at direct representation of our Saviour's sufferings. The crucifix was not introduced until five centuries had passed. Resort was had instead to the use of symbols.