In mathematics, the Borromean rings consist of three topological circles which are linked and form a Brunnian link (I. e., removing any ring results in two unlinked rings). In other words, no two of the three rings are linked with each other as a Hopf link, but nonetheless all three are linked.
The mystery of the Christian Trinity is expressed in the Athanasian Creed: we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in unity; neither confounding the Persons, nor dividing the substance. Trying to depict this triune nature without leaving oneself open to attacks of polytheism was problematic, and geometrical symbols became popular. The equilateral triangle, consisting of three equal parts, equally joined, was used as an early symbol of the Trinity. It was often inscribed in a circle, a symbol used to stand for God for many centuries. For the Greeks, the circle symbolised perfection; its never-ending form also encapsulates the idea of eternity.
Today, the Borromean rings are commonly used as a symbol of the Trinity. The earliest source for this that we are aware of was a thirteenth-century manuscript in the Municipal Library at Chartres. It contained four diagrams, one of which is shown above. In the centre, inside all the circles, is the word `unitas’; the three syllables of `tri-ni-tas’ are distributed in the outer sectors. Unfortunately, the manuscript was destroyed in a fire in 1944. The copy shown here was reproduced in a manual of Christian iconography [Didron-Didron], along with descriptions of the other three. The labels on these other figures are shown below. They are:
· “God is Life” surrounded by “Father”, “Son” and “Holy Spirit”;
· “God is” surrounded by “Word”, “Light” and “Life”;
· the phrases “Trinitas Unitate” (three in one) and “Unitas Trinitate” (one in three) distributed over the diagram.
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