Sacred Numbers
3
Divine Perfection / Trinity
Traditions
| Tradition | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Christian | The Trinity: Father, Son, Holy Spirit. Jesus rose on the 3rd day. Peter denied 3 times. Jonah in the whale 3 days. |
| Catholic | Triple blessing (Num 6:24-26). “Holy, Holy, Holy” = superlative of holiness. Three theological virtues: Faith, Hope, Charity |
| Jewish | Three patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob). Three divisions of Hebrew Bible (Torah, Nevi’im, Ketuvim). Three pilgrimage festivals |
| Masonic | Three degrees (Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, Master Mason). Three Grand Masters (Solomon, Hiram King of Tyre, Hiram Abiff). Three pillars: Wisdom, Strength, Beauty. Three ruffians killed Hiram |
| Esoteric | The triangle as primary geometric form. Thesis-antithesis-synthesis (Hegel). Three alchemical principles: Salt, Sulphur, Mercury |
| Black Church | Three-fold witness of the Spirit: Word, water, blood (1 John 5:8). The triad of orthodoxy, orthopraxy, and justice |