Triads and tongs

T. Wing Lo, Sharon Ingrid Kwok

Research output: Chapter in Book / Conference PaperChapter

Abstract

The ancestor of Chinese triad society in Hung Mun, which was originally a loyal and righteous society. It was a secret society whose members, bound by oaths of blood brotherhood, were pledged to restore the ancient Empire, the Chinese Ming Dynasty, to the throne by over-throwing the foreign conqueror, the Munchow Qing Dynasty. Being a massive and highly coordinated political and military organization, it had a clear structure of commanders, officers, rank and file, and followers. Its members were all brave heroes rather than groups of criminals or vandals. Since China became a Republic in 911, such loyal and patriotic nature had gradually diminished, leading to the disintegration of Hung Mun into dozens of separate triad societies engaging in criminal activities.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationEncyclopedia of Criminology and Criminal Justice
EditorsGerben Bruinsma, David Weisburd
Place of PublicationU.S.
PublisherSpringer
Pages5332-5343
Number of pages12
ISBN (Electronic)9781461456902
ISBN (Print)9781461456896
Publication statusPublished - 2014

Keywords

  • triads (organized crime)

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