海外文化:英美民俗-神奇的數字:3

【英文原文】

摘要：數字3 3對于古希臘人是個神秘數字。哲學家畢達哥拉斯說3是完美無缺的數字，因為世間萬物無不有首、中、尾三段。因而它與神有關。

Ancient Greeks believed the number was sacred. Pythagoras calls three the perfect number, since everything has three parts — beginning, middle and end. Therefore it is a good symbol of anything related to gods. In Greek and Roman mythology, the world was supposed to be under the rule of three gods, that is, Jupiter(Zeus), the ruler of Heaven; Neptune(Poseidon), the ruler of the sea; Pluto(Hades), the king of the Underworld. Jupiter’s weapon was three-forked lightning, Neptune’s, a trident, and Pluto’s, a three-headed dog. The Fates were three, the Furies three, the Graces three. Superstitious people believe that man is made up of three parts, that is, body, soul, and spirit. Most Christians believe in the doctrine of the Trinity, that is, God is in three persons: the Father, the Son(Jesus Christ), and the Holy Ghost, or Holy Spirit. Some Christians also believe that the enemies of man are three: the world, the flesh, and the devil. In the Bible, the baby Jesus was visited by the three Magi; before the cock crowed, Peter denied Jesus for three times. When things are difficult, people think they will be successful the third time.