Threesology Research Journal

Three and Counting ...1

A Study of Repeating 3s


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For those unfamiliar with the concept of "threes" let me offer a (Levi jeans styled) watch/coin pocket quantity of references which explore the phenomena from different perspectives:

Jessie Duffield's introductory triad
  • The Significance of Three: A Common Theme Across All Religions, by Universal Enlightenment & Flourishing 3 Wisemen Myth illustration
    • In Wicca and other forms of Paganism, the number three is significant for several reasons: it is often associated with the Law of Threefold Return (or the Rule of Three), a principle stating that actions and energies sent out will return to the sender threefold; it symbolizes key triads like the Triple Goddess (Maiden, Mother, Crone) and the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit; and it is used in ritual and spellcraft to build energy, enhance stability, and create balance through threefold structures.
    • The Triple Goddess is a deity or deity archetype revered in many Neopagan religious and spiritual traditions.
    • Examples:
    3 fold belief of Wicca
    1. Greek:
      1. Persephone (Maiden), Demeter (Mother), and Hekate (Crone)
      2. The Moirai (Fates): Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos
      3. The Charites (Graces): Aglaea (Splendor), Euphrosyne (Joy), and Thalia (Good Cheer)
    2. Greek/Roman:
      1. The goddesses Artemis (huntress/maiden)
      2. Selene (moon/mother)
      3. Hekate (underworld/crone)
    3. Roman:
      1. Diana (huntress/maiden)
      2. Luna (moon/mother)
      3. Trivia (Hecate/underworld/crone).
    4. Hindu: (The Tridevi are the consorts of the Trimurti and also considered manifestations of Mahadevi, the Supreme Goddess.)
      • Saraswati, Lakshmi, and Parvati
    5. Celtic: Triple goddess Morrígan, alternatively described as:
      • 3 sisters, Badb, Macha, and Nemain (or Anand)
      • 3 goddesses of sovereignty... Ériu, Fódla, and Banba.
  • Note: if Gurdjieff had been given a list of "threes" compiled from different subjects available today, his search for truth as he knew it, might well have been overwhelmed. So often I find those who are enthralled by the recurring presence of the "three" in theology— whose primary source for examples appears to come from writers who have little to no interest in the different genres of science. Instead, they manifestly focus on the metaphysics/spirituality of others who also exhibit a deficiency in providing examples of "threes" from different sciences. While they may honestly seek a Universal truth they think is exhibited in a given multiplicity of "threes" examples, their examples typically lack a firm groundedness in reality, and instead rely too heavily on some metaphysical relativity whose flexibility is contoured by the limits of their imagination. They want only those examples which confirm their present shallow metaphysics and shy away from examples suggesting they need to seriously re-think their personalized spiritual equations.

"Threes" discussions about Literary-focused contexts typically exclude examples from various Science-defined subjects; and therefore sets the stage and scripted dialogue which instigates a stark absence for any initial and further consideration of this very important Anthropological, Linguistic, Psychological, and Sociological Phenomena; thus resulting in a misunderstanding (and the creation of false assumptions) about the recurrence of threes as an expressed cognitive pattern (among others) that continues to be repeated in Multiple contexts... as well as why it is repeatedly absent from other contexts. Its absence is as much a telling point about human cognitive development and application as is the recurring presence of "threes" in its multiple forms and the symbology being employed. It's importance becomes magnified into a greater clarity when we:

  • Contrast it with the histories of Monism, Duality, and Plurality.
  • Identify and consciously acknowledge the presence of a 1-2-3 maturational development sequence.
  • Become aware of the repeated mis-labeling of the 3-to-1 ratio as a "four" (quaternary, quaternion, etc...) pattern.

3 little pigs of Fairytale fame
  1. 3 Pigs, 3 Bears, 3 Billy Boats gruff, 3 Fiddlers, 3 Kittens
  2. 3 and 9 values attached to the Norse Yggdrasil (aka Mímameiðr) tree of Norse Mythology:
    • Supported by 3 enormous roots drawing water from 3 wells.
    • Root 1: Reaches to the Well of Urd, where the Norns, the goddesses of fate, reside.
    • Root 2: Extends to the Well of Mimir (Mímisbrunnr), the well of wisdom.
    • Root 3: Dives to the well Hvergelmir (a boiling spring) in the realm of Niflheim.
    • 3 Norns (Urðr, Verðandi, and Skuld) live at the well Urðarbrunnr.
    • Yggdrasil's roots and branches are home to the Nine Worlds.
    Stones, Sticks, Hay
  3. 3 sacred trees common in Indian religions (which collectively form the Triveni and hold significance in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism):
    • The Pipal (Ficus religiosa).
    • The Banyan (Ficus benghalensis).
    • The Bael (Aegle marmelos).
  4. 3 significant trees in the bible:
    • The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.
    • The Tree of Life (in Eden and Revelation).
    • The Tree upon which Christ was crucified.
  5. 3 individually acknowledge worldly Sacred trees:
    • The Bodhi Tree (Asian communities)
    • The Oak Tree (European communities)
      • The 'nine sacred woods' used for Beltane bonfires in Celtic tradition: birch, rowan, ash, alder, willow, hawthorn, oak, holly, and hazel, possess unique properties
    • The Cedar of Lebanon (Middle Eastern communities)
    3 snake-haired sistes called the Gorgons
  6. Cinderella, Anastasia, Drizella;
  7. 3 -to- 1 ratio of Musketeers (3 original, 1 later added on)
    1. Athos: The Noble, Melancholy Leader
    2. Porthos: The Vain, Boastful Giant
    3. Aramis: The Pious, Scheming Cleric
      • d'Artagnan, the outsider who doesn't become a musketeer till later in the story.
  8. Past, Present, Future; Seconds, Minutes, Hours; Days, Weeks, Months
  9. Birth, Life, Death: Resurrection, life, Death
  10. 3 main genres of literature: Prose, Poetry, Drama; Character, Plot, Setting
  11. 3 types of Men by Will Rogers:
    • Learners by reading: These individuals gain knowledge and insights from books and texts.
    • Learners by observation: A smaller group learns by watching and observing the experiences of others.
    • Learners by experience: The majority, according to Rogers, only learn after they have personally undergone a negative and memorable event, like an electric shock, to understand its consequences.
    Capitoline Triad of Rome
  12. 3 Roman deities who are most commonly referred to as the "Capitoline Triad" are:
    1. Jupiter, the king of the gods.
    2. Juno (in her aspect as Iuno Regina, "Queen Juno"), his wife and sister.
    3. Jupiter's daughter Minerva, the goddess of wisdom.
      • This grouping of a male god and two goddesses was highly unusual in ancient Indo-European religions, and is possibly derived from the Etruscan trio of Tinia, the supreme deity, Uni, his wife, and Menrva, their daughter and the goddess of wisdom.
  13. Heaven, Earth, Hell; Heaven, Purgatory, Hell; Asgard, Vanaheim, Alfheim
  14. Priestly class, Warrior class, Worker class; Upper, Middle, Lower
  15. 3 Fates: (aka, Moirai in Greek mythology)
    • Clotho (the Spinner): She begins the thread of life, often depicted spinning a spindle.
    • Lachesis (the Allotter or Measurer): She measures the length of the thread, determining the lifespan of a mortal, god, or titan.
    • Atropos (the Inflexible): She cuts the thread of life, choosing the manner and time of death, thus ending the life.
  16. 3 Furries:
    • Alecto: (the unceasing or endless): Punishes moral crimes.
    • Megaera: (the grudging or jealous): Punishes offenses related to jealousy and infidelity.
    • Tisiphone: (the avenger of murder): Punishes murder, especially within the family.
    3-figured Hectate sculpture
  17. 3 Gorgons:
    • Stheno: Known as "forceful," Stheno was the eldest of the Gorgon sisters and was immortal.
    • Euryale: The second born and also immortal, Euryale means "far-roaming".
    • Medusa: The most famous Gorgon, Medusa was the only mortal one and was eventually killed by the hero Perseus.
  18. 3 Norns:
    • Urðr (Urd): This Norn embodies the past, and her name means "that which has come into being" or "fate".
    • Verðandi (Verdandi): She represents the present, or "what is presently coming into being".
    • Skuld (Skuld): This Norn embodies the future, but in a more complex sense of "what shall be" or the obligations that are incurred from past actions.
  19. 3-faced Hectate sculptures.
  20. 3-headed underworld guarding dog: Cerebus
  21. 3 part teaching method: Speak of what is to be taught. Teach what was spoken of. Discuss what was taught.
  • Big Collections and their Collectors (I include this as a bit of fun viewing, even though it is not directed towards a "threes" content. Different strokes for different folks used to be a common expression. Perhaps one day someone will make a video about those who collect particular enumerations.)

List continues here: More Threes Examples

Origination: Friday, June 6th, 12:48 AM
Date of initial posting: Friday, June 6th, 5:27 AM
Updated Posting: Monday, Sept. 1st, 5:14 AM
Contact: herbobuckland(-at-)hotmail.com