Post by debugger on May 6, 2022 22:22:31 GMT
The Triads are ancient secret societies that trace their roots to the Fujian province of seventeenth century China. There are an estimated 80 000 members in 60 societies. 'Triad' means a triangle of heaven, earth and man. A core component of the Triads is the concept Guanxi, which refers to the brotherhood and mutual support shared among the Chinese.
Today, the Triads are among the toughest criminal organizations functioning internationally. Most of them are based in Hong Kong, Vietnam and Taiwan. They are based on many separate and autonomous cells answering to no authority but the collective dictates of their own officials.
Typical of the Triads is the initiation ceremony, in which the members are bound together, known as 'hanging the lantern'. The initiation rituals are very elaborate with the idea of implanting a strong sense of secrecy and require 36 oaths of loyalty. Numerology and occultism influence the organization of a traditional Triad. The two highest ranks use the code numbers 489 and 438; and common member uses the number 47. The possible interpretations of the code numbers are so numerous that it is unlikely that their true significance will ever be ascertained. The Triads are mainly involved internationally in the drug trade, gambling; and the smuggling of endangered species and products thereof.
Today, the Triads are among the toughest criminal organizations functioning internationally. Most of them are based in Hong Kong, Vietnam and Taiwan. They are based on many separate and autonomous cells answering to no authority but the collective dictates of their own officials.
Typical of the Triads is the initiation ceremony, in which the members are bound together, known as 'hanging the lantern'. The initiation rituals are very elaborate with the idea of implanting a strong sense of secrecy and require 36 oaths of loyalty. Numerology and occultism influence the organization of a traditional Triad. The two highest ranks use the code numbers 489 and 438; and common member uses the number 47. The possible interpretations of the code numbers are so numerous that it is unlikely that their true significance will ever be ascertained. The Triads are mainly involved internationally in the drug trade, gambling; and the smuggling of endangered species and products thereof.
