“Three – it’s the magic number!”

The number 3 has been revered as special or different for thousands of years – ever since humanity first invented the concept of numbers.  In cultures across the globe it crops up time and time again: we often write phone numbers in groups of three, Shakespeare had three witches, and we all recognise the phrase, ‘third time lucky’.  The number 3 has significance in many religions and superstitions, from Norse paganism to Christianity, with its holy trinity, to the ‘lucky’ three leaf clover. Most colours can be mixed from three primaries – red, yellow and blue.

The number also has plenty of linguistic significance. Using groups of three is a well-known writing technique, dating at least as far back as ancient Greece.  The so-called ‘rule of three’ is even evident in fairy tales: the three billy goats gruff; the three bears; the three little pigs; the three musketeers.  Triads appear across literature in many languages, from stories to political speeches and marketing campaigns: veni, vidi, vici; slip slap slop.

In western alphabets, too, most (if not all) letters can be written with just three strokes of the pen – similar to the rule of thirds in visual art.   Amazingly, some languages have no words for numbers above three – the aboriginal Walpiri of central Australian, for example, would count, ‘One, two, many,’ while others use a ‘base two’ system of counting.  In the Gumulgal culture, one to five is counted:

urapon

ukasar

ukasar-urapon

ukasar-ukasar

ukasar-ukasar-urapon

ukasar-ukasar-ukasar

And of course, the Rosetta stone was written in three languages – demotic, hieroglyphic, and traditional Greek.

So why is this?  As a species we seem to have a natural affinity for it: it’s been suggested that when counting a group of objects, three is the highest number we can recognise instantly without having to count (“subitising”).  It’s a matter of instinct, although it might be improved by training.  Unfortunately, the true meaning of three’s significance remains a mystery – but its power is worth remembering, for those who would teach, learn and persuade!