History and the creation of the Triads

To help you understand the background of the Triads, I have found several articles regarding this matter.

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The Creation and Historical Background of the Triads
Chinese secret societies have a long, though mostly hidden, history. In modern times they are mostly associated with criminal activity, and are somewhat similar to the Mafia. Both originated as defense and mutual support organizations for people at the bottom of the power structure. Traditionally Chinese emperors were pretty much absolute rulers so long as they held the Mandate of Heaven. They exercised their power through a bureaucracy that at least theoretically was merit based. Anyone who could pass the rigorous examination system joined the Mandarin Class and went to preside over some part of the larger empire. The Mandarin Class were magistrates and tax collectors who were expected to spend most of their time in intellectual pursuits. Of course, they exploited their advantages and corruption was rampant. Chinese culture is strongly familial, and a family's fortune often rode on its ability to have as many sons as possible in the Mandarate.

Chinese history is perhaps best studied by looking at the dynastic cycle. Early rulers of a dynasty were ruthless warriors who seized power by consolidating forces and imposing their authority over as much of China as possible. These rulers were often crude men with little education or culture, but strong willed. They imposed order with a heavy hand and corruption was limited. Keep back too large a portion of taxes, and you could lose your head. Divert money from road or flood control projects and your whole family might be put to the sword. The early emperors during most dynasties kept very close tabs on things. As time went on, succeeding emperors became more complacent and devoted more of their time to enjoying the fruits of power. Corruption began to creep in, often by the third emperor in dynastic succession the wealth of the first rulers was reaching it's peak. The amount of corruption permitted increased as the emperor's attention was diverted to literature, art, hunting, women, etc., etc. A few more changes in the dynastic succession and corruption began to eat away all the wealth. Power shifted from the emperor to his court and to the Mandarate. By late dynastic times only a small portion of the taxes ever made it into the Imperial treasury, and the granaries became depleted. Money for roads and flood control was diverted into the purses of private families. Having little control over the Mandarate, the poor who made up the greatest portion of the populace bore ever greater burdens. Eventually, floods and/or famine broke out and sometimes millions died. The Imperial House might try to regain control, but the army would be increasingly under pressure by the rising power of warlords, or rebellious mobs. Eventually the army would desert the Imperial House, and chaos would reign over much of China. That's one dynastic cycle, and Chinese history is a succession of these cycles that are pretty much alike; time after time after time.

To the Chinese people when things were ordered and the kingdom was at peace, they understood that the emperor had the Mandate of Heaven. When things went wrong, it was a clear sign that the Mandate had been withdrawn and the People no longer were obligated to obey and follow the discredited dynasty. So as the dynastic cycle progressed, the People were put under increasing stress, and they were increasingly willing to believe that Heaven was ready to withdraw it's mandate from the ruling order.

Secret Societies were a constant among the people. They were almost totally submerged and powerless early in dynastic cycles when things were becoming more ordered and peace made the acquisition of wealth more likely. As things deteriorated as the dyanastic cycle progressed, the secret societies became stronger. Eventually, the secret societies became one of the major forces sapping the strength and authority of the dynasty. As the kingdom fell into chaos, the secret societies flourished and often the leaders became the warlords, the warriors who contended with one another to found the next dynasty. A very democratic system.

The term Triad refers to the three traditionally strongest of the secret societies. One, the White Lotus, is felt by some to be probably the strongest of those traditional societies. Membership might go back in a single family for five or six hundred years. Members would be mutually supporting and in a loose relationship with members in neighboring villages. During times of plenty, the societies became almost dormant. In times of oppression, famine, or flood, membership in one of the secret societies might mean the difference between life and death for a family. Docile while the reigning dynasty has evidently the Mandate, the secret societies might become violently militant whenever conditions began to persuade the populace that the Mandate was being withdrawn.

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Triads in Modern Times
Since the groups used the triangle prominently in gang imagery the term “Triad” was coined by British authorities in Hong Kong.
Over the years the societies which began as patriotic entities transformed into a criminal organization.
When the Communist Part of China came to power in 1949 they cracked down on crime and the Triad members moved to a more open society in the British colony of Hong Kong. During the 1950s it was estimated that there were about 300,000 members in Hong Kong alone.
The Triad divided the city and island up into geographic areas and ethnic groups and set up eight main groups to control the areas. The main groups were Wo, Tung, Rung, Chuen, Luen, 14K, Yee On, and Shing. Each group had its own sub-societies as well.
Since the 1950s the Triad gangs have spread to many other countries including areas of the United States. One might think that with so many groups there would be little organizational structure but actually it is quite the opposite. Triad gangs follow a very strict rank structure.

Also, make sure to read this if you want to understand more about the Triads.
http://factsanddetails.com/china.php?itemid=300&catid=8&subcatid=50