The use in English of the word "Triad" ("a group of three") denotes the

sacred symbol of these secret societies--a triangle enclosing a modification

of the Chinese character known as hung. The use of hung derived from
Hung Wu, the royal title of the patriot who founded the Ming Dynasty in
1368 A.D. Hung Wu's reign heralded a golden age of prosperity in China,
ended by the Manchu conquest in 1644.
Hung, by itself, had no meaning, but its enclosure within the three-sided
geometric figure symbolized the union of Heaven, Earth and Man. When
Triads--the offspring of ancient societies--formed after 1644 to fight for
independence from Manchu rule, they devised the triangle-protected hung
as a holy symbol of their purpose, which was to drive out the conqueror
and again achieve for China that perfect union of Heaven, Earth and Man.
Triads were variously known, from the 17th century to the present day,
as Hung Mun ("Hung Association"), Tin Tei Wui ("Heaven and Earth
Association"), Saam Hop Wui ("Three United Association") and, most
recently, as Hak Sh'e Wui ("Black Society Association"),

Membership in a Triad society traditionally began with

apprenticeship leading to full initiation involving three days of
ritual called Hung Mun. On the walls of the chosen place,
designated a "lodge," were hung Triad insignia including
representations of the mythical Triad capital city, Muk Yeung.
A Heung Chu, "Incense Master," presided over the rites. Blood
was drawn from one of each recruit's fingers by the Heung Chu,
tasted first by the recruit himself, then added to a communal
bowl from which everyone drank to signify blood-brotherhood.
Adherents subscribed to 36 oaths, 21 codes, 10 prohibitions, 10
penalties and 10 mottos.
Before 1956, initiation rites frequently took place in temples or cemeteries,
locales which fostered a sense of both spiritual and eternal commitment. It was
believed that ritual entry into the sacred bond of Taoist-oriented Triad
confraternity signified rebirth. Recruits took part in the ceremony of Kwa Lam
Tang Lung, "Hanging the Blue Lantern." In China, a blue lantern placed outside a
house--paralleled in Occidental culture by the black wreath hung on front doors
--announced a recent death. One had to "die" before resurrection into new life as
a Triad brother.
The Sen Wei Yuen, "new soldier," was proposed for membership by a Tai
Lo, "elder brother," meaning mentor. The new man was required to pay a
fee and swear allegiance before receiving instruction in secret signs of
mutual recognition.
This oath of fealty became the pressure point of a recruit's future
association with the society. Upon uttering it, he locked himself into the
Triad for life. There was no breaking out. The member might someday
retire from active duty, but he could be recalled without explanation, at
any point in time, to give financial aid or other, more sinister, support--
such as hiding fugitive "brothers," arranging complex and expensive
escapes from Hong Kong