Divine triad

Triads of gods and goddesses—groups of three divine beings—are remarkably widespread in world mythology and religion. These triads reflect themes of balance, completeness, and cosmic order, and often embody creative, sustaining, and destructive aspects, or represent family/functional groupings.

Hindu Traditions

Pre-Vedic Triads: Gods of heaven (Surya/Sky), air (Vayu/Wind), earth (Agni/Fire).encyclopedia
Vedic Triad: Agni (Fire), Vayu (Wind), Surya (Sun).encyclopedia
Trimurti: Brahma (creator), Vishnu (preserver), Shiva (destroyer).anthro+1
Tridevi: Saraswati (knowledge/creation), Lakshmi (wealth/preservation), Kali/Parvati (power/destruction).anthro
Mahavidyas: Groupings of goddesses in sets of three and ten, representing aspects of divine feminine power.

Greco-Roman Traditions

Greek Triads:
- Zeus (sky/king), Poseidon (sea), Hades (underworld).
- Three Fates (Moirai): Clotho (spinner), Lachesis (disposer), Atropos (cutter).
- Three Graces (Charites), Three Erinyes (Furies).wikipedia/en/Triple_deity
- Hecate as triple goddess.
Roman Triads:
- Original: Jupiter, Mars, Quirinus.
- Later: Jupiter, Juno, Minerva (Capitoline triad).wikipedia/en/Triad_(religion)

Egyptian Traditions

Osirian/Abydos Triad: Osiris (father), Isis (mother), Horus (son).wikipedia/en/Triad_(religion)
Theban Triad: Amun, Mut, Khonsu.
Memphite Triad: Ptah, Sekhmet, Nefertem.wikipedia/en/Triad_(religion)
Heliopolitan Triad: Atum, Shu, Tefnut.encyclopedia

Mesopotamian/Babylonian

Anu, Enlil, Ea (Enki): Sky, air/storm, water.
Sin (moon), Shamash (sun), Adad (storm).encyclopedia
Sometimes joined by Ishtar, making triads with a prominent goddess.

Nordic Traditions

Norns: Urd (past), Verdandi (present), Skuld (future)—fates/spinners of destiny.wikipedia/en/Triple_deity
Odin, Thor, Freyr sometimes act as a triad in Norse tales.

Celtic Traditions

Triple Goddess: Maiden, Mother, Crone—the many aspects/phases of the goddess.patheos
Irish Morrígan: Often appears as a trio—Morrígan, Badb, Macha.wikipedia/en/Triple_deity

Christian Tradition

Holy Trinity: Father, Son, Holy Spirit—three persons, one God.wikipedia/en/Triad_(religion)

Slavic, Baltic, and Other Indo-European

Triple Goddesses: Spinners of fate.
Trinities in shamanic traditions (sky, earth, underworld).

East Asian Traditions

Taoism: Three Pure Ones (Sanqing), Fu Lu Shou (fortune, prosperity, longevity).wikipedia/en/Triad_(religion)
Shinto: Amaterasu (sun), Tsukuyomi (moon), Susanoo (storm).wikipedia/en/Triad_(religion)

Buddhism

Amitabha Triad: Amitābha, Avalokiteśvara, Mahāsthāmaprāpta.wikipedia/en/Triad_(religion)
Saha Triad: Shakyamuni, Avalokiteśvara, Ksitigarbha.

Neopagan/Wiccan

Triple Goddess: Maid, Mother, Crone; three aspects of the feminine divine.patheos+1
Triple Horned God: Some neopagan traditions.

Why Are Triads So Common?

Symbolism of Three: Three represents completeness—a beginning, middle, end; creation, sustenance, destruction; past, present, future.
Social Structure: Triads often mirror family units (father, mother, child), or social roles (warrior, priest, farmer).
Psychological/Spiritual Functions: The number three allows synthesis of dualities, offering complexity and harmony.
Cultural Exchange: Triads may arise from merging local cults or as symbolic groupings when one culture absorbs another.

In summary:
Virtually every major religious tradition features some divine triad, whether gods or goddesses. They function as archetypes for completeness, cosmic process, and social structure, reflecting a deep human drive for understanding the full spectrum of existence through threes.anthro+3

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