Number 3

The Meaning of The Number 3
Number Symbolism of Number 3

Three is the number of good fortune.

The Pythagoreans taught that the number three was
the first true number.

Three is the first number that forms a geometrical figure - the triangle.

Three was considered the number of harmony, wisdom and understanding.

Three is the number of time:
 

Three is the number of the divine.

Three is a sacred number in many religions.
In ritual many actions are preformed three times.

Three is the number of magic.

We are all familiar with the expression "third time lucky".

In fairy tales three is often the magical number.

Heroes and heroines are often offered three choices or three tests. They overcome difficulties on the third try.

In Zoroastrianism there are three ethical principles:

Under Muslim law a man can divorce his wife by repeating the phrase
"I divorce thee" three times.

Plato divided his Utopian city into three populations: Laborers – Guardians (warriors) – Philosophers (rulers)

The Borromeam Rings

The three Borromeam Rings are three rings that are interlocked. If any single ring is removed, the two remaining rings will fall apart. This has been used as a symbol of "strength in unity" for centuries in many parts of the world.

The symbol of the three rings that are interlocked is also known as "The Tripod of Life". Christians may use "The Tripod of Life" to symbolize the Trinity; Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

On the Nobel Peace Prize Medal there is engraved a picture of three naked men. The inscription reads: Pro pace et fraternitate gentium, translated " For the peace and brotherhood of men". The medal was designed by Gustav Vigeland.

The symbol of three interlocked triangles is called Valknut. It was used in Viking times as a symbol for the slain dead. Valknut is associated with the Norse god Odin. The Vikings believed Odin would protect the dead warriors who died in his name. They believed they would spend their afterlife in Valhalla belonging to Odin. The name means “Knot of the Slain”.

Only three primary colors are needed to mix most other colors; red, yellow and blue.   

 The octopus has three hearts.

A fact about cats: Cats have a third eyelid. It is called the haw.

According to Benjamin Disraeli (British Prime Minister, 1804-1881) there are three degrees of lies:   Lies – Damned Lies - Statistics

 
The third day of the Chinese New Year is often called the "Squabbling Day". People will avoid visiting family and friends on this day as it may result in quarrels. A visit to the temple is a better choice.

In the Western world, leather traditionally marks the third year anniversary.

Camels have three eyelids.

The Triple Moon/The Triple Goddess. It shows her three aspects as maiden, mother and crone. Often used by Wicca.

Gemini is the third astrological sign of the Zodiac. (May 21 - June 21)

Number three is the number of Jupiter. Number three is lucky for Sagittarius.

 In the Tarot, three is the card of the Empress. 

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The Shamrock, the three-leaf clover, is a symbol of Ireland. Saint Patrick taught Christianity in Ireland. He used the three-leaf cover to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity (The Father, Son and Holy Ghost) in Christianity. Saint Patrick died March 17, 461.
March 17 is celebrated as his feast day and named Saint Patrick's Day.

The Leprechaun - Three Wishes

In Irish Folklore there is a saying;
if you catch a Leprechaun and set him free,
the Leprechaun will grant you three wishes.

The Three Petals of the Iris Flower

The iris flower was a symbol of power in ancient Egypt. It was often placed on scepters of rulers and kings. The three large petals of the iris flower symbolize:

Faith  – Wisdom  – Courage

The iris flower is named after the Greek messenger goddess, Iris. She was also seen as the rainbow.

Iris flowers were planted on the graves of women. The ancient Greeks believed that the goddess Iris would lead the dead women to the Underworld.

Picture from Botanical Magazine, 1792

The Troika

The word "troika" is a Russian word for threesome, triplet or trio. A Troika is three-horse harnessed sledge.

Troika is also the name of a traditional Russian dance. The dancers dance in groups of three.

A Troika also means a committee consisting of three members. During the rule of Stalin, the Troika was used to speed up the prosecutions of people accused of political crimes. In that meaning a Troika consisted of three judges and replaced the normal legal system.

Lithograph (1819) artist: Aleksander Orlowski. The Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia

Three Grains
An old superstition from Britain states that it is lucky to find three whole grains in a loaf of bread. Another bread superstition says it if you take three loaves of bread out of the oven at one time, a death of someone you know will occur within a year. 

The Three Languages of the Rosetta Stone

The Rosetta Stone contains inscriptions in three languages: Demotic (Egyptian), Hieroglyphic and Classical Greek.

The Rosetta Stone helped reveal the secrets of Hieroglyphic writing. It is on display at the British Museum in London.



Three English Kings have died in battle.

1. Harold II - October 14,1066
2. Richard the Lionheart - April 6, 1199
3. Richard III - August 22, 1485




Thomas Jefferson was the third president of the United States. 1801 - 1809.

Jefferson was the principle author of the Declaration of Independence. He owned many hundred slaves. Jefferson passed a law in 1807 to abolish slave trade.
He was strongly against the Bank of America saying that banking establishments are more dangerous than standing armies.

  Thomas Jefferson's signature

Three in Buddhism - The Three Jewels

We find the number three in the Buddhist Tiratana. The Tiratana is also known as the Three Jewels of Buddhism.

The 3 circles are symbolic for: 

  1. The Buddha

  2. The Dharma (his teachings)

  3. Sangha (his followers)

The symbol of The Three Jewels shown on a Buddha footprint.

 


Buddhism - The Three Cardinal Faults

At the very center of the Samsara, The Wheel of life, there are three symbols of the cardinal faults of humans.

The pig symbolizing greed

The snake symbolizing hatred

The cock symbolizing delution

Three in Hinduism 

Three is the holy number for the Trimurti /Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva.

These three gods make up the One Supreme God, Brahman:

   Brahma – the creator of the world

   Vishnu – the preserver of the world

   Shiva – the destroyer of the world 

A tilak is a religious mark on the forehead. Devotees of Shiva may often be seen using a tilak of three horizontal lines. (Devotees of Vishnu use a tilak of two upward lines.)


At the beginning of religious ceremonies, it is common that the priest takes water in his right hand and drinks it.

This is repeated three times. This clears his throat before the chanting starts, he can do so with clarity and is absolved of sin. This is called "Aachman".

Japan - The Three Wise Monkeys

Baku, the dream eater. Baku has its origins in Japan and China. It is a strange, but cute hybrid creature featuring many different animals. Baku has the power to eat nightmares.
 
Bad dreams go through Baku’s digestive system and are totally eliminated, leaving serenity in its place.
Baku will consume nightmares on request. Superstition has it that a person experiencing nightmares must call out three times to Baku; “Eat it, Baku”.

 
The River of Three Crossings – Japanese Buddhism

The River of Three Crossings is also called the Sanzu River.

It is the river the dead must cross. There are three different places the dead may cross the river. The karma (good and bad deeds of the person) determines at which point the dead may cross the river.

1.  The Bridge – the dead person with very good karma may use the bridge to cross over to the other side.

2.   The Ford – the dead person with good and evil deeds may wade across the river at this point.

3.   The water polluted with gruesome serpents – the dead person with evil doings must wade across the river at this point.

The Doll Festival

The Japanese celebrate Hina Matsuri, (Doll Festival) on March 3, the third day of the third month. The Doll Festival is also known as "Girls' Day". Earlier it was believed that dolls could ward off evil spirits and illness.

Dolls were sent floating down the river, to carry away trouble. Now dolls are displayed on special platforms in the home. Dolls are also sent out to sea. This is a special day devoted to the happiness and protection of girls.


Shinto - The three symbols of the sun goddess


The Mirror – symbol of truth and wisdom

The Jewel symbol of compassion

The sword – symbol of strength and courage

These symbols are associated with the sun goddess, Amaterasu.