The Sacred Three in Asian Beliefs: Triple Gods, Tridevi, and the Three Treasures
Number three has been considered sacred for over many centuries throughout the world. Its depictions of the triads, triplicates and trinities have also existed in many cultures with various interpretations.
The possible oldest interpretation of the number three is that it represents completion, and many cultures today still interpret it as such—that is, something which has gone through its beginning, middle, and its end. The number three could then be interpreted as the number of reproduction or the continuation of things. From the union of oneness (1) and duality (2) comes the triad (3). The number three could then be interpreted as the number of reproduction or the continuation of things. All of the other numbers proceed from these first three numbers and from this primordial triangle all figures derive.
Triads, Triplicities and Trinities
The most popular depiction of the sacred number three in the myths and iconographies of the ancient world was that of the so-called “triple goddesses” or “triple deities”, a term popularized by Robert Graves in the 20th century. There are three different words to define these groups of three. They are: triads, triplicities, and trinities.
- 3: The Perfect Number - Trinity Symbolism in World Religious Traditions
- The Golden Ratio – a sacred number that links the past to the present
A “triad” refers to three separate concepts or beings that are united in some relationship. An example of this is the three Greek gods Zeus, Neptune, and Hades, who are related by their dominion over the three realms of the cosmos: the sky, the sea, and the underworld. Although as a group, the triad expresses some sense of completeness or perfection, it does not express unity. The members of the triad completely retain their individuality and dominant characteristics. An example from Asian mythology is that of the Tridevi: Lakshmi, Parvati and Sarasvati, who are mostly worshipped individually, but brought together as a triad due to their roles as consorts of the Hindu Trimurti.
