E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Trin’ity.
Tertullian (160–240) introduced this word into Christian theology. The word triad is much older. Almost every mythology has a threefold deity. (See THREE.)
1
American Indians. Otkon, Messou, and Atahuata.
Brahmins. Their “tri-murti” is a three-headed deity, representing Brahma (as creator), Vishnu (as preserver), and Siva (as destroyer).
Celts. Hu, Ceridwen, and Craiwy.
Cherusci. A three-headed god called Triglat.
Chinese have the trible goddess Pussa.
Druids. Taulac, Fan, and Mollac.
Egyptians. Osiris, Isis, and Horus.
Eleusin’ian Mysteries. Bacchus, Persephone (4 syl.), and Demeter.
Goths. Woden, Frigga, and Thor.
Greece (ancient). Zeus (1 syl.), Aphrodite, and Apollo.
Iesini of Britain. Got, Ertha, and Issus.
Mexicans. Vitzputzli, Tlaloc, and Tezcatlipoca.
Peruvians. Apomti, Chureonti, and intequuequi.
Persians (ancient). Their “Triplasian deity” was Oroinasdes, Mithras, and Arim’anes.
Phœnicions. Astaroth, Mileom, and Chemoth.
Romans (ancient). Jupiter (divine power). Minerva (divine Logos or wisdom), and Juno (called “amor et delicium Jovis”).—Vossius: De Theologia Gentil, viii. 12. Their three chief deities were Jupiter, Neptnne, and Pluto.
Scandinavians. Odin (who gave the breath of life), Hænir (who gave sense and motion), and Lodur (who gave blood, colour, speech, sight, au hearing).
Tyrians. Belus, Venus, and Tamuz, etc.
Orpheus (2 syl.). His triad was Phans, Uranos, and Kronos.
Plato. His triad was To Ag’athon (Goodness), Nous or Eternal Wisdom (architect of the World) (see Proverbs iii. 19), and Psych (the mundane soul).
Pythag’oras. His triad was the Monad or Unity, Nous or Wisdom, and Psych.
Orpheus (2 syl.). His triad was Phan
s, Uranos, and Kronos.
