The Triads originated in ancient China as secret societies that protected peasants from injustice. Over time, some Triads became deeply involved in organized crime. After the Communist takeover in 1949, many Triad members fled to Hong Kong and Taiwan. Today, the Triads engage in criminal activities like drug trafficking, loan sharking and extortion, though their influence has declined due to crackdowns. Triad membership involves elaborate initiation rituals and strict codes of secrecy.

1. THE CHINESE TRIADS

2. HISTORY OF THE TRIADS
• Roots found in centuries-old secret societies that date
back to 1000 B.C.
• Peasants were often preyed on by evil leaders and
protected themselves by forming "self help" groups.
• According to legend the first Triads were founded by
Chinese monks committed to fighting injustices.
• Over time these groups became so politically powerful
they were able to prop up or bring down emperors at their
whim.
• In the 18th century they traded with foreign countries to
bring in opium
• Thought to have helped in the overthrow of the last
Chinese emperor in 1911

3. HISTORY OF THE TRIADS
• Thrived in the warlord era (20s-40s) where they assaulted
journalists who criticized the government.
• Some gangs helped the nationalist fight against the Japanese
during World War II; others became gangs of criminals that
controlled the Chinese countryside.
• After the Communist take over in 1949, Mao was able to quickly
break the Triad power in the mainland.
• Many Triad members fled to Hong Kong and Taiwan and also to
North America and Europe.
• The influence of organized crime is believed to have risen as the
Chinese economy slowed.

4. TRIADS IN HONG KONG AND CHINA
• It is estimated that there are 50 or so Triad gangs in Hong Kong.
• They were engaged in the local opium trade and helped and were assisted by the
corrupt British police force.
• In 1898, corruption was so entrenched in Hong Kong that half the police force was
dismissed for accepting bribes.
• The British cracked down on the Triads in Hong Kong in an aggressive anti-
corruption campaign that began in the 1970s, sharply curtailing the influence of the
Triads on the police and the civil service.
• In 1997, it was estimated that only 5 to 10 percent of the "detected crime" in Hong
Kong was Triad-related.
• After the crackdown in Hong Kong, the Triads moved the bases of their operations
across the border into southern Chinese provinces.
• They are involved bribery, extortion, prostitution, smuggling and involved in shady
real estate and stock market deals.

5. TRIAD MEMBERS
• The Triads are tribal-like
organizations that follow
a strict Confucian code of
ethics in which elders are
respected.
• Romanticized in Asian
films, the Triads have
secret signs, exotic code
names, and secret
tattoos.
• Symbols are very
important.
• A whole range of messages can be
conveyed through glances and the
way a cigarette is offered.
• The mystique that
surrounds the Triads is
arguably intriguing than
that of the Italian Mafia.

8. TRIAD MEMBERS
• New Triad members are initiated with elaborate rituals that can last six
days and involves a highly symbolic ceremony.
• New candidates often begin the ritual barefoot, and wearing special
clothes and perform things like salutations, special handshakes, ritual
dances and Taoist and Buddhist prayers.
• The Hung clan welcomes new members with thirty-six 200-year-old
initiation oaths. One of them goes, "I shall not disclose the secrets of the
Hung Family, not even to my parents, brothers or wife. I shall never
disclose the secrets for money. I shall die by a swarm of swords if I do
so."
• Ratting on another Triad member is one of the worst offenses a Triad
member can do.
• Blood letting and slitting a chicken’s throat are still use in some Triad
initiation rites. One Triad ritual ends when the new recruit pledges his
allegiance by shedding a few drops of blood into a cup of wine.

9. TRIAD CRIMES
• Traditionally made their money through drug trafficking, loan
sharking, prostitution, smuggling, gunrunning, and extortion and
protection rackets.
• In recent years they have been moving more into credit card
fraud, minibus concessions, call-girl rings, and computer software
and CD pirating.
• Between 1945 and 2000, more than 700,000 reported Triad
members have been arrested for a variety of crimes.
• The Hong Kong Triads have forged a large number of credit cards
using information stolen from cardholders in Canada, the United
States and Europe by installing recorders on credit card terminals
at stores and restaurants.
• In some cases store clerks were bribed to get the information.

10. TRIAD VIOLENCE
• Turf battles over gambling and prostitution
between different Triads are fairly common.
• The signature Triad instrument of
torture, punishment and execution is the kitchen
meat cleaver.
• In one highly publicized case involving alleged
Triad violence, gangsters in business suits
entered the office of Leung Tin Wai, the publisher
of a feisty magazine called the Surprise
Weekly, saying they wanted to talk about doing
some printing work. Moments later Leung's arm
and his thumbs were chopped off with a meat
cleaver. No one is sure who ordered the attack
but it came on the eve of a lengthy article about
organized crime printed by the magazine..
• Newspaper editor Jimmy Lai, who had a
firebomb tossed in his yard by Triad
members, told the New York Times: "I think
they're very powerful—no doubt. But if they
threaten me, they won't kill me. If they want to kill
me, they won't threaten me."

11. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-
aj2YR2oLrk

12. IN THE NEWS
• A-Grade Student Joins Triad Gang
and Killed Top Drug Dealer
• After 15 Years in Jail, Macau Triad
Boss Walks Free
http://factsanddetails.com/china.php?itemid=300