The Triads
How did political rebels become masters of organized crime?
4.5 (14)
45 mins
Explore the fascinating history of the triads, from Shaolin monks fighting the Qing dynasty to powerful international crime organizations. Discover how secrecy, loyalty, and ritual helped them expand globally and influence trade, politics, and society.
Ep 1:
From Burning Temple to Blood Oath
Five surviving Shaolin monks flee a Qing massacre and forge a secret brotherhood sworn to revolution—only for that sacred cause to curdle into centuries of organized crime.
Ep 2:
Opium, Numbers, and Sacred Blood
As opium floods China, Triads become indispensable smugglers-turned-kingmakers, while their mystical numerology and blood-soaked initiation rites bind members into an unbreakable criminal brotherhood.
Discussions (12)
Isaac
Level 4 · 8 mo agoOof that stat about 35% of HK cops being Triad is actually legit 😭 absolutely wild history
Bobby
Level 3 · 9 mo agoMonks to mobsters (wild).
Arthur
Level 8 · 8 mo agoI grew up watching kung fu movies and never knew the Triads actually started as Shaolin monks, going from patriots to crime lords is such a huge shift.
