Knock Three Times
Why three is such a mystical number
“Knock three times on the ceiling if you want me, twice on the pipes if the answer is no.”
— performed by Tony Orlando and Dawn
Inspiration comes from the strangest places
Now you know one of my three favorite go-to songs for karaoke night: Knock three times.
But this article is actually not about karaoke.
Nor is it about inspiration prompted by Medium writer Amanda Laughtland and her piece on her favorite karaoke song. Though it was her story that led to an incredible chain of events, showing me that on some cosmic level we are all connected.
All she did was ask me the title of my favorite karaoke song.
I was blown away by an unlikely Chain of Events that Happened to Me that day:
All these little factors cumulatively had a role in inspiring what this article is actually about: the mystical symbolism and popularity of the number three.
Let me quickly show you the connection.
People often ask me where I find my inspiration to write. I guess it’s a legitimate question.
Conversations with Medium writer Nour Boustani brought up some existential, pragmatic and philosophical thoughts that made me think about how Inspiration often works in mysterious ways:
Think of expressions you’ve heard that contain the number three.
Three strikes you’re out. Two’s company, three’s a crowd. Third time’s a charm.
the holy trinity three wise men three blind mice three dog night the three musketeers
three square meals beginning — middle — end On your mark — get set — go Knock three times.
Why this obsession with three?
From ancient times, three has been a mystical and significant number:
Spirituality, Divinity: The Three Fates, The Holy Trinity, three is a significant, mystical number in many religions. Three is a nuanced, sacred number.
Mathematics, Science, Philosophy: Triangle, Pythagorean Theory, Newton’s Laws of Motion, philosophical theories that the number three signifies harmony, discord, completeness, universality, three is the smallest number to break a tie. Three is a powerful number.
Architecture & Interior Design: Pyramids, The Rule of Three in Design adds visual depth and interest.
Music: the rule of three in music adds cadence and memorable repetition. Example: “She Loves You, yeah-yeah-yeah.”
Numerology: Since the dawn of time, the number three has held a mystical and meaningful position. It signifies stages or parts of a spectrum: Past, Present, Future. // Heaven, Hell, Purgatory. // Mother-Father-Child.
Stories and Literature: Goldilocks & the Three Bears. How many more fairy tales can you name that contain the number three?
Remember I had told you I have three favorite songs for karaoke night? It’s the strangest coincidence but one hundred percent true.
Thank you to Sahil Patel and the editors of Reciprocal publication for an inspiring place to read, write and create.
Here’s three articles from Reciprocal that I enjoyed reading:
#Inspiration #Synchronicity Tags: Amanda Laughtland, Nour Boustani
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