Three, 3, Tri and Unity

If you take a look at the symbols of geometry you will find numbers are prevalent and one of those is the number three. Three or trinity or Tri-unity deals with a triangle which enables opposites to balance and transcend to new wholeness that could not be achieved any other way. Are you beginning to see?

Think of it, a third leg makes a good tripod and it becomes stable and you can not braid hair with out the third stand(s) of hair. Sensei can be the third point creating a balance between sempai and kohai in the dojo.

Take a look at the various "three's" in the world and you will be amazed and maybe see the connections of three in our practice. Didn't Bushi Tatsuo Sensei develop Isshinryu from three different styles? Maybe that is why Isshinryu is so stable and continues with out Sensei so well. Isn't there three stars in the sky of the me-gami?

An example that will help explain the importance of three in the Universe, "If you draw a line and then use "phi" to divide the line so that the ration of the lessor part to the greater part is the same as the ratio of the greater part to the whole. No other proportion behaves so elegantly around unity. "

When you practice kata do we have groups of three in each section? If you understand and know of Bushi Tatsuo Sensei you know he was religious or spiritual and studied the classics not to forget his fortune telling capabilities then seeing a number three in his system will be logical.

When you study the I Ching you will find the number 6 and 9 have significance and guess what? Six and Nine are divisible by "3!"

Other aspect to consider:

"The diameters of the Earth and Moon (7920 miles and 2160 miles) are in the ratio of 11 to 3."

"Nine or the horizon: In traditional worldwide number lore, nine, or thrice three, was referred to as “the horizon” symbolizing the ultimate, the maximum, “the whole nine yards”."

LAST:

Take a look at one of the leading practitioners of Isshinryu in the United States and his teachings. He uses the number three, i.e. The 3P's, 3R's, 3K's,3L's and the 3-8's. [practice-practice-practice;repetition-repetition-repetition; kihonteki-kata-kumite;look-listen-learn; and 8 codes of the kenpo gokui; the 8 empty hand kata; and the 8 kobudo kata]. Lets not forget the "A,B,C's" or Attitude, Basics, Confidence!

Oh yea, the square root of "3" is found in the animal, vegetable, and mineral kingdoms! Lets not forget that one of the forms of divination in I Ching is the use of "three" coins.


Bibliography:
Lundy, Miranda. Sacred Geometry. Walter Publishing Company New York. 2007
Schneider, Michael. Constructing the Universe. http://www.constructingtheuniverse.com/. 2010.
Advincula, A.J. Isshinkai Yahoo Group. http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/isshinkaiKarate/. 2010