A lifetime of Islands: The Three Legs of Man

The Three Legs of Man is the national symbol of the Isle of Man. The three legged symbol, which consists of three legs bent at the knee and joined at the thigh, was originally a pagan one and the individual legs stood for the sun, power and life. It was adopted as a royal coat of arms by three Kings of Man in the 13th century, when the island was part of the kingdom of the Hebrides. It is not known why they chose this symbol, possibly just because it was striking and distinctive. The earliest surviving depiction of the symbol is on the Manx Sword of State, which dates from c1300AD. The motto “Quocunque Jeceris Stabit”, which translates as “Whichever way you throw it, it will stand", has been associated with the symbol since 1300AD. The symbol survived the transfer of power of the Isle of Man to the English crown.

All the early depictions of the symbol on the Isle of Man have the legs running clockwise. Most but not all modern examples of the symbol also have the legs running in a clockwise direction. The symbol is often shown as armoured legs with spurs on the heels.

The three legged symbol is known as a triskelion or triskele, which comes from the Greek word for three legged. It is also a traditional symbol in Sicily and Brittany.

There are examples of the Three Legs of Man all over the island: on flags, on official buildings, on private houses, garden gates, seats, milestones etc.