The Fourth...

As the man and the woman have the potential to create a third, so one and two make three—a neat twist. Three is seen as the number of wisdom, understanding, and knowledge. The addition of a third vertical line to the previous two creates the Roman numeral for three and has the potential to form a triangle, symbolising stability and connection.

There are countless examples of groups of three: the Holy Trinity (Masculine Creating Aspect, Feminine Creating Aspect, and Creation itself—the Child Aspect), the Triple Jewel of Buddhism, where Buddhists take refuge in Buddha (the enlightened one), Dharma (the ultimate truth), and Sangha (the community of practitioners). In Hinduism, Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva represent the Trinity of God, while in ancient Babylonia, Anu, Bael, and Ea symbolise Heaven, Earth, and the Abyss (or Hell). Additionally, the three Fates and the three parts of time—Past, Present, and Future—illustrate the significance of three across cultures.

In terms of superstition, there is often satisfaction in occurrences that happen in threes, encapsulated in the saying "third time lucky," which suggests the completion of a cycle. The triad represents the first "equilibrium of unities," a concept exemplified by the tripod used by the god Apollo to deliver oracles.

In the Tantric system, three is called Trayah, and important threefold concepts continue to emerge. There are three sources of Karma and three types of Karma, as well as three vanities that can bind a person to the wheel of rebirth. In the Ayurvedic system, three qualities (doshas) pertain to human beings, existing in various proportions: Vata (wind), Pitta (bile), and Kapha (phlegm).

In the Tarot, 3 corresponds to the Empress, who embodies the female principle that symbolically links the Heavens with Earth. She carries within her the triple aspect of the Goddess as virgin, mother, and crone.

Historical Context and Usage

The historical significance of the number three can be traced through several ancient civilisations, highlighting its impact on cultural development:

Ta-Mery Empire (c. 6000 BCE and earlier): Encompassing Kemet (Ancient Egypt) and Kush (modern-day Sudan), the Ta-Mery Empire laid foundational aspects of civilisation, including early numeral systems and spiritual beliefs. The number three was integral to their mythology and triadic concepts.

Sumer (c. 3500 BCE): The Sumerians (Ancient Iraq) recognised the significance of the number three in their religious beliefs and social structures, often reflecting dualities and balance in their creations, such as in their mythology.

Bharata (Indus Valley Civilisation) (c. 3300–1300 BCE): The early civilisations in Bharata (Ancient India) showcased sophisticated urban planning and social structures, which reflected the balance of opposites and threefold concepts in their spiritual practices, particularly within Tantric traditions.

Mesoamerica (c. 1500 BCE): In various Mesoamerican cultures, such as the Olmecs and Maya (Ancient Mexico and Central America), the number three held significant meaning in their mythology and rituals. The concept of three appeared in their religious practices, symbolising balance and completeness. The Maya believed in the three realms of existence: the underworld, the earth, and the heavens. Many gods were grouped in triads, representing different aspects of creation. The number three also influenced their calendrical systems, where ceremonies and agricultural cycles were often observed in groups of three, reinforcing its importance in maintaining harmony.

Zanghgu (c. 3000 BCE): Cultures in the Zangzhou region (Ancient China) recognised the importance of three in their spiritual practices, depicted in their art and mythologies, reinforcing their worldview and societal organisation.

Hellas (Ancient Greece) (c. 800 BCE): Greek philosophers, including the Pythagoreans, considered the number three significant in their mathematical and philosophical frameworks, influencing their thoughts on harmony and balance.

Agreeable Connotations:

Optimism and joy, inspiration and creativity, speech and communication, good taste, imagination and intelligence, sociability and society, friendliness, kindness and compassion, art, humour, energy, growth, expansion and the principles of increase, spontaneity, broad-minded thinking, encouragement, assistance, talent and skills, culture, wit, a love of fun and pleasure, freedom-seeking, adventure, exuberance, brilliance, bravery, non-confrontational attitudes, rhythm, passion, surprise, sensitivity, self-expression, affability, enthusiasm, youthfulness, enlivenment, psychic ability, manifesting, and manifestation.

Disagreeable Connotations:

Indifference, a lack of stamina and concentration, a spectacular rise and fall, mood swings, and mania.