"The Triad is the form of the completion of all things". –Nichomachus of Gerasa (c. 100 A.D., Greek neo-Pythagorean philosopher and mathematician)
Tribal Art in general and African Tribal art in particular were largely made to serve a functional purpose. Eating and cooking utensils were elaborately carved more often than not. Masks were made for magical and ceremonial purposes. Everything was symbolic and every symbol was important in some way.
Triangle/Triad One of Humankinds Oldest Symbols
One of the oldest symbols of mankind is the triangle. Another name for it is the Triad. It is a symbol of many things. It has been known in some ancient writing systems to symbolize wheat. It is a symbol for pyramids on occasion. Its meaning varies from source to source. It is usually a sacred symbol within most spiritual belief systems. In Christianity it is the symbol for the "Trinity" (father, son, holy ghost) or for (father, mother, child) the basis of creation.
Triangle With Eye Inside Became Illuminati Associated Symbol
In recent centuries the symbol of the triangle, especially containing an eye within it, became a leading symbol associated with secret societies such as the Freemasons and the more shadowy group, The Illuminati, usually linked to Freemasons. Triads are also commonly used pagan symbols. From a mathematical standpoint, three is the minimum number for structural stability. The three strait lines of a triangle are the minimum number of lines needed to create an enclosure on a par with the sacred circle.
Tribal Art Head Bears Triangle with Eye Symbol
Ancient people knew a lot about sacred geometry and made use of the sacred symbols in their spiritual lives, which they expressed heavily in their artwork. The subject of this article is such a primitive work of art. It appears to be head of a male; the interior of the object is hollow, suggesting it might have been intended to sit atop a pole to ward off evil or to mark a grave. The expression is one of serenity, with a slight smile, rather like a Buddha Figure. It is somewhat compelling to look at.
The most interesting feature of this particular work of tribal art is the set of three triangular symbols on the forehead. And each triangle is a set of three triangles within one another. Each triangle also appears to have a circle within, suggesting ties to beliefs in the "eye of Horus" or " the third eye ". The material the head is made from is what seems to be some type of unknown ceramic. Its age is unknown but the weathering of the face suggests it may be at least a few hundred years old.
Such Symbols as Triads Containing Eyes Suggest Links to Conspiracies
Those who follow conspiracy lore will immediately think it is the "all-seeing eye" of the Freemasons and the Illuminati. For this to be so, if this head is as old as it appears that would mean that the Illuminati and the Freemasons were far older in their influence over the world than previously thought, though many Freemasons believe they go back to the days of ancient Egypt, some suspect even further back to currently unknown civilizations.
The history of art is also the history of symbols. All symbols were and are integral parts of mankind, imbued with great meaning to those that first devised these symbols as well as those who inherited the ancient knowledge of sacred symbols. Those who make a symbol famous such as the "all seeing eye" are not necessarily those who first created the symbol. Hitler and the Nazi's did not invent the Swastika; it was originally a symbol of ancient India. But it is fascinating to find what looks like an Illuminati symbol on a work of very old tribal art.
