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.
Ep 3:
Shanghai's Underworld King and Global Exile
In 1920s Shanghai, gangster Du Yuesheng builds a 100,000-strong empire through opium and massacre—then watches it crumble as revolution scatters Triads across the globe.
Ep 4:
Inside the Modern Triad Machine
Discover the sprawling societies, brutal enforcement tools, and diversified rackets powering today's Triads—and why police worldwide remain almost powerless to stop them.
Ep 5:
Hidden in Plain Sight: The Global Web
From martial arts clubs to masonic charities, the Triads master the art of cultural disguise, embedding criminal empires deep within legitimate immigrant communities worldwide.
Discussions (12)
Isaac
Level 4 · 10 mo agoOof that stat about 35% of HK cops being Triad is actually legit 😭 absolutely wild history
Bobby
Level 3 · 10 mo agoMonks to mobsters (wild).
Arthur
Level 8 · 9 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.
