By: Aislin Freedman, Sophomore
If you’ve ever read Harry Potter by J.K.Rowling, or Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan, or A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L’Engle, then you may have noticed a pattern. These three books have three main characters, or main trios. Three is also the number of primary colors, both in light and in paint. Three is often the optimal number for example lists, such as the one above, where two can seem binary and boring, or not descriptive enough. Four examples can feel long, and unnecessary, but the number 3 is the soft spot. For practical and ironic purposes, the number three will be used again, as the number of examples that get a deeper dive. The first will be about trios in books. The second will be about the primary colors and the color wheel. And finally, the number three will be discussed in the capacity of mythology – and not only Greek mythology this time.
As mentioned earlier, the number three shows up in trios of characters quite often. The best reason for this is because it is a good, easy number for authors to work with. There are only three different relationships and dynamics to worry about, which makes it easier for a reader as well. It also leaves room for the classic characters in a trio – the main character, the comic relief best friend, and the love interest. Of course, these characters are always more than those simple descriptions, but that outline leaves lots of room to play around with. With three characters, two can be in a fight, and the third can act as a glue, pulling them back together. Or one can leave for a while, and there is still a relationship to focus on, and the repercussions of the loss of the third member can be played with.
The second topic involving the number three is primary colors. In terms of painting, the three primary colors are blue, red, and yellow. However, when talking in terms of light waves, the primary colors that make up the world are red, blue, and green. The trichromatic theory of color vision says that there are three types of cones in our eyes, each one designated to a specific primary color of light. This theory is based on the premise that everything is made up of a mixture of these three primary colors
Finally, the moment everyone has been waiting for, the mythology. Starting with Norse mythology is best, as they have two very obvious connections to the number three, and both tie in nicely with the myth of Ragnarok, the end of the world as we know it, and the beginning of a greater world. Many people just know it now though, as the end of the world, and bad overall. Leading up to this giant battle, is a sequence of three harsh winters, with no summers in between to break them up.
Ragnarok is also caused by Loki’s three children. The first of Loki’s children is Jörmungandr, the world snake, who has wrapped around earth and grabbed his own tail in an example of an ouroboros, and when he lets go of his tail, Ragnarok will begin. The next of Loki’s children is Fenrir, the giant wolf. On Ragnarok, it is prophesied the wolf will break free of his chains, and run around with his bottom jaw on the ground and his top jaw in the sky, devouring everything in his way. And last but not least, Loki’s daughter Hel, the goddess of the underworld and the head, will raise and undead army to fight in ragnarok. These three are very important to Ragnarok and the destruction of the world.
Finally, in Greek mythology there are many trios, but the most well known is probably the moirai, or the three fates. Clotho creates the string, or life. Lachesis measures the string/life. Atropos is tasked with the duty of cutting the thread, and ending a life. These three not only are a trio in themselves, but represent the greater trio of life. Clotho represents birth, lachesis represents life, and atropos death.
Overall, the number three is pretty interesting, so maybe next time you count, or pass by the number three, know that it’s more than it might look. And three may be one of the best well known superstitious numbers, for every number has a story and lesson somewhere out there. Even if you don’t like math, that doesn’t mean you can’t appreciate numbers.