Sicily Dances, and So Will You

I loved this plate when I saw it last month in Santo Stefano di Camastra, one of Sicily’s ceramics centers. Featuring the ubiquitous Trinacria, the symbol of Sicily, it captures so much about the region: its vibrant colors, the locals’ artistry, and its ancient mysteries and history… and then the plate itself is for serving…

The Geography of Trinacria 

Three promontories give Sicily the name of the triangle shape, “Trinacria,” which came from the ancient Greeks: Capo Peloro (just northeast of Messina), Capo Lilibeo (the western point off of Marsala), and Capo Passero (the southeastern most point in Siracusa Province). The three legs of the ancient symbol, pictured, refer to these geographical points. For…

3 Feet, A Head

When in Sicily, you’ll see the “Trinacria” everywhere. The three bent legs are attributed to the triangular shape of the island, which in Greek times was called Trinacria. Originally, at the center of the legs was the head of the Gorgon Medusa, a depiction you’ll still find today; however, equally prevalent, and what appears on…

Triskeles

It’s believed that this object (a bowl?) was created by an artisan near Gela in the end of the 7th century BC. Its details recall those found on the Isle of Rhodes. The striking triskeles at the center of the design demonstrates the association of the ancient 3-legged symbol with Sicily. It was found in…