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The Basque lauburu is one of the most recognizable symbols of the Basque Country, a kind of spiral or cross very similar to tetrasqueles (in fact this is how it is called in Galicia and other places influenced by the culture Celtic) with a much more recent origin than it may seem.
If you would like to know a little more in depth the meaning of this curious symbol To inspire you for your next piece, check out below!
The origin and etymology of lauburu
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The lauburu shares obvious similarities with the swastika, a symbol that, remember, has its origin (in Europe, not in Asia, where it is also frequently found) in Celtic cultures. A) Yes, it is common to find symbols similar to the lauburu (Tetrasqueles and trisqueles, the versions with four and three arms respectively, with straight arms) decorating the granaries of some parts of Galicia, Asturias and Cantabria, but also in Aragon, where they are called quadruplets and where they usually decorate the lintels of the doors of the houses.
In Basque, lauburu comes from lau, 'four' and buru 'heads', that is, 'four heads'. The really interesting thing is that it is not known exactly if the word comes from Latin labarum or if this term comes in turn from the Basque.
The meaning and use of lauburu
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Although with ancient influences, in reality Basque lauburu did not begin to be used regularly until the seventeenth century, when it is common to find him decorating the doors of houses and graves as a talisman.
It is believed that its meaning, although much disputed, refers to the sun or to virility, represented by the Basque deity Maju. For others, if the tips of the arms point to the right it is a symbol of life, and if they point to the left, death.
We hope that this article about the Basque lauburu has interested you. Tell us, do you have a tattoo inspired by this symbol? Let us know in the comments!