by Bobby De Niro May 2, 2004
Triad (Simplified Chinese: ÈýºÏ»á; Traditional Chinese: ÈýºÏ•þ; Pinyin: S¨¡nh¨¦hu¨¬; literally "Triad Society") or (Simplified Chinese: ºÚÉç»á; Traditional Chinese: ºÚÉç•þ; Pinyin: {{{p}}}; literally "Black Society") is a collective term that describes many branches of an underground society and organizations based in Hong Kong and also operating in Macau, Taiwan, Mainland China, and Chinatowns in Europe, North America, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
There are more than 57 triad groups that are active in Hong Kong; some of them are no more than small, local street gangs. The larger groups, including the Sun Yee On, Wo Shing Wo and 14K, are syndicates of sophisticated criminals, mirror images of such similar western empires of crime as the mafia.
Their activities include drug trafficking, money laundering, illegal gambling, prostitution, car theft and other forms of racketeering. A major source of triad income today comes from the counterfeiting intellectual property such as computer software, music CDs and movie VCDs/DVDs. They also trade in bootleg tobacco products.
There are more than 57 triad groups that are active in Hong Kong; some of them are no more than small, local street gangs. The larger groups, including the Sun Yee On, Wo Shing Wo and 14K, are syndicates of sophisticated criminals, mirror images of such similar western empires of crime as the mafia.
Their activities include drug trafficking, money laundering, illegal gambling, prostitution, car theft and other forms of racketeering. A major source of triad income today comes from the counterfeiting intellectual property such as computer software, music CDs and movie VCDs/DVDs. They also trade in bootleg tobacco products.
by bob June 17, 2006
by Chris G: Unibrowed P-I-M-P May 12, 2005
by Bradley Nixon March 4, 2003
A term used to describe many Chinese criminal organizations. They are the most well-known organized crime group in China, Hong Kong, and Macao. They originated in the anti-Manchu resistance in China. The term "triad" comes from the three dots which form part of the Chinese character for the Ming Emperor Hung Wu. The Triads began as "Men of Hung." They were both part of the political resistance of the Han Chinese to the Manchu dynasty, as well as outlaws who "Ta fu — chih p'in" (Hit the Rich and help the poor).
Both the Chinese Triads and the Italian Mafia and Camorra have existed at least since the early 1800s. The Triads spread all over the world and control much of the illegal and informal economy in overseas Chinese communities.
by Dancing with Fire October 31, 2011
A loving, committed relationship between 3 people. All 3 people are equal in the relationship and typically sexually intimate with both of the other two. Like a marriage, but with 3 people.
Most often found between 3 gay men, but could also be (in order of likelihood) 2 men and 1 woman, 2 women and 1 man or 3 women.
A Triad is a partnership of equals and does not have the same stigmas associated with it as does polygamy which is sometimes (not always) more about a man married to and/or controlling multiple women who are not involved with each other sexually.
Most often found between 3 gay men, but could also be (in order of likelihood) 2 men and 1 woman, 2 women and 1 man or 3 women.
A Triad is a partnership of equals and does not have the same stigmas associated with it as does polygamy which is sometimes (not always) more about a man married to and/or controlling multiple women who are not involved with each other sexually.
"Brian and Duane have been together for about 6 months, but Richard just joined them to become an official triad."
David and Cynthia have been married for a while, but Mike just moved in and they are now a triad.
David and Cynthia have been married for a while, but Mike just moved in and they are now a triad.
by cj0819 April 11, 2011
A symbol of 30 Seconds to Mars . It comes from the ancient symbol for air and is in the shape of a triangle with a line through it. It serves as an identifier for fellow fans, and two of the band members have a tattoo of the symbol on themselves.
Person 1: hey man I see you're wearing a triad necklace. are you a 30 Seconds to Mars fan?
Person 2: Yeah dude, I'm part of the echelon!
Person 2: Yeah dude, I'm part of the echelon!
by Pride-and-fate-of-a-Mars-fan November 21, 2011