TRIAD. The triads of the nations are many. Geryon, the three-healed, is famous in classical antiquity : Qualls Atlantiaco memoratur Ettore quondam, Monstrum Geryones immane trieorporis Cui tres in pugna elextrte varia artna gerebant . Una ignes stevos.' Thus on the coast, from hoary Atlas named, Stood triple Geryon : in his three right hands Three weapons fierce he brandished, vengeful fire.' The triad of the Greeks, so frequently referred to by Proclus has been largely examined by Cudworth. TI;e inhabitants of Northern Europe had various trinities. That of the prose Edda is Odin, Vile and Ve •, of the Voluspa, Odin, Hrenir, and 'Ledur. The Scandinavians swore by Odin, Friya, and Njord.
The Nornir or Destinies were time. Among the Druids the number three was sacred and mystical ; hence their writing-rods of three sides, and the fondness of the ancient British bards for the triad, tribanau, or triplet— ' Eiry mynydd—gwangens Tar— . Gochwlban gwynt ar dalar— Yn yr ing gorau yw'r Car.' 'Snow of the mountain I the bird is ravenous for food— Keen whistles the blast on the headland— In distress the friend is most valuable.' The triad of the Babylonian and Assyrian was Ana, Bel, and Hea, lords, respectively, of the heavens, of the visible world, and of the sea and infernal regions. Ana. was originally worshipped at Erech, but in later times the goddess Ishtar took his place at this city ; Bel had his chief seat at Nipur, and Hea at the city of Eridu.
The triad among the Hebrews was represented by the three yod, or by the high priest extending the thumb and two forefingers as he stretched his right hand over the assembled multitude. The Pope of Rome adopts this fonn.
Trinity of Christians, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost,.
The Egyptian triad was of three brothers.
The triad of the Southern, Buddhists has Gautama as the chief, represented by three perpendicular lines, sometimes united at the bottom (tharagon). Buddha, Dharma or the Law,
and the Church or Congregation, are represented _ by the Trisul or Triratna. San-she-Joo lae, the Tathagatha of the three ages, is the Buddhist trinity of China. The Hindu trinity is Brahma, Vishnu and Siva.
The 'Chaldees had two triads, each god with a wife or female power, like the sakti of the Hindus. Their first triad was Il or Ra, the supreme ; Ana; and ilea, the god of life. Their second triad was Sin or Hurki, the moon-god ; San or Sansi, the sun-god ; and Vul or Iva, the od of the atmosphere.
Secret triad societies have been formed all over the Chinese empire, the members of which have seen with impatience the Manchu domination, and cherished the idea of overthrowing it to obtain a national government.
The members are initiated with secret cere monies. It has a religious character, with political aspirations. The members name it Tien-te-jin, Heaven, Earth, Man. In the reign of the emperor Kea King, it was styled Tien-te-hwuy, i.e. the Celesto-terrestrial Society, but the name by which they chiefly distinguish themselves is Hung Kea, or the blood family.
Three pure ones are recognised by the Taouist of China.
The Buddhist triad or mystic syllable A U M, is thus interpreted:— A, the Vija mantra of the male Buddha, the generative power.
U, the Vija of the female Dharma or Adi Prajni, tho type of productive power.
M, the Vija of Sanga, the union of the essences of both.
Three precious gems of the Buddhists are Buddha, Dharma, Sangha, the lord, the law the assembly.
A triple god is described by Kireher among the Japanese ; and the celebrated triad of the Hindus comprise Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva.
The Ansariah recognise Miaana Ism, Bab, Spirit, Name, and Door. See TrimurIti.