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A triad is an association of three kindred or correlated deities. In ancient Egypt, cycles of this type usually arose out of the association with the chief local god of other deities; in some instances the members were deemed to stand in the relationship of father, mother and child. Such were the Theban triad of Amen, Nut and Khons; the Memphite of Ptah, Sekhet and Nefertum; and the Osiris-Isis-Horus triad, which, n the Alexandrian form, comprised Serapis, Isis and Harpocrates.
In Babylonia, triads were derived from early conceptions of a cosmic trinity, such as Anu, Enlil and Ea representing sky, earth and water: and shin, Shamash and Ishtar, representing sun, moon and star. Early Aryan thought moved in the same direction in the Vedic triad of Agni, Indra and Surya, representing fire, wind and sun. out of this emerged the Brahman Trimurti, or three aspects, portrayed as a three-headed image in a famous sculpture at Elephanta, and comprising Brahma, the creator, Vishnu the preserver, and Siva the destroyer.
Buddhism adopted the principle in the Triratna, or three jewels, which were at first the Sangha or monastic order, portrayed as a man holding a lotus, the Buddha, and the Dharma, or sacred law.
The Triad Society of China, denoting the union of heaven, earth and man arose in the 18th century and became a powerful anti-dynastic movement.
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In Sumerian mythology and in Babylonian mythology, Adad is a storm god, son of Anu. He holds a lightning bolt in his right hand and an axe in his left. He is partially responsible for the helpful annual flooding of the rivers which brought fertility to the land. He relates to the Canaanite god Hadad.
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In Hittite mythology, Alalu was the first king of heaven. After nine years he was deposed by Anu and fled to the earth.
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In Sumerian mythology, An was the personification of heaven. An relates to the Babylonian god Anu. In the early days he carried off heaven, while Enlil carried away the earth.
In Sumerian and Babylonian mythology Anshar is the male principle. The father of Anu and the child of Tiamat and Apsu. He is often paired with Kishar, and his qualities were assimilated with Ashur.
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In Sumerian mythology, Antu is a colorless female being who was the first consort of Anu. They produced the Anunnaki and the utukki. She was replaced by Isthar who is sometimes her daughter.
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In Babylonian mythology, Anu (An in Sumerian mythology) is the god of the sky. He is the son of Anshar and Kishar. Anu was the supreme god and ruled the heavens. He had the power to judge those who had committed crimes. The stars were Anu's soldiers whom he had created to destroy the wicked.
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In Sumerian and Babylonian mythology, Kishar is the mother of Anu and the child of Tiamat and Apsu. she is the female principle.
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In Sumerian mythology, the Sebitti are the seven warrior gods led by Erra. In the sky they are the Pleadies. They are the children of Anu and the Earth- mother.
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In Sumerian mythology, Shara is a son of Anu and Ishtar.
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The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
©1993 - 2009 The Probert Encyclopaedia
Southampton, United Kingdom
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