The Triad
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Real Identity: Unknown
Appearances: Dawn of the Deadman!
Skills: Organized Crime
Voiced By: Michael Rosenbaum
The Triad is a collective term for the many branches of Chinese organized illegal enterprises in Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, and non-Asian countries with a large Chinese population. The Triad participates in illegal activities such as drug trafficking, contract murder, money laundering, gambling, prostitution, car theft, and extortion. Their primary source of income is counterfeit goods.
In the 1760's, the Triads were originally a resistance group that opposed the Manchu Emperor of the Qing Dynasty called the Tian Di Hui ("The Society of Heaven and Earth"). Its purpose was to restore domestic Chinese rule. As the Tian Di Hui branched off into China, it became known by many names, one of which was "Sanhehui," literally "Three Harmonies Society", referring to the unity between Heaven, Earth and Man.These societies accordingly made use of the triangle in their trademarks. The triangle was adorned with swords or Kwan Kung, the Chinese god of Loyalty. The name "triad" was coined by British authorities in Hong Kong, referring to that use of triangular imagery.
After the Qing Dynasty ended in 1911, the group no longer had a purpose and many could not return to a normal life after spending years living in constant danger. The ex-rebels formed a cult which later came to be known as the Triad. The Triad resorted to money extortion from the unwilling public through all possible means to fund themselves.
In 1949, the Communist Party of China took over China and passed strict law enforcement policies. An indirect effect was the utter destruction of crime. The Triad migrated to the then-British colony of Hong Kong. Eight main triad groups were consolidated and they divided Hong Kong up into geographic areas and ethnic groups that each group was responsible for controlling. The nine main ones at that time were the Wo, Rung, Tung, Chuen, Shing, Fuk Yee Hing, Yee On, 14K, and Luen. Each had its own headquarters, its own sub-societies, and its own public identities. It soon became status quo that the Triad controlled the local economy and government.
The actual power of triads lies at the ground level of the hierarchy. A triad "official" ("Red Pole") leads a group of 15 active members. Red Poles may sometimes wage war against one another for more benefits and power. Triads also use numeric codes to differentiate the ranks and positions inside a gang. For example, code 49 would denote a regular member.
Three months after defeating Gentleman Ghost, Batman took on a unit of the Triad and was captured. Before the Red Pole could execute Batman, Deadman possessed him and the duo fought off the remaining men.