Why the number 3 is so important in Bali (and the story behind the Balinese trinity) • Miniwanderlust Team

Why the number 3 is so important in Bali

(and the story behind the Balinese trinity)

There’s one thing you’ll notice immediately if you come to live or even just travel in Bali: the importance of the number 3 in Bali. The number 3 is everywhere. It’s not a coincidence—it’s the foundation of culture, religion, and countless little daily practices.

But what often goes unnoticed—because people stop at the Instagram-worthy photo—is that three isn’t just a number. It’s a balance, a way to divide the world, houses, bodies, and even words.

I’ll never stop saying this: standing in line for hours (at least 3, to stay on theme) at Tirta Temple for a purification doesn’t mean much if you don’t even know why it’s done, or if it’s really right for you. Did you know that, according to Balinese Hinduism, purification should only be performed if a Mangku Balian (the priest) decides? They evaluate your physical and mental state, your birth day and year, to choose the perfect moment. Otherwise, it’s like going to Italy and getting baptized just for a photo.

So my advice is always the same: travel, explore, but try to understand the traditions behind Bali—they’re fascinating. And the number 3 is at the very heart of it.

In this article about the importance of number 3 in Bali, we’ll cover:

The number 3 in the human body
The Balinese Trinity explained simply
The number 3 in everyday life in Bali
Balinese balance (and why 3 in Bali is more than just a number)

The number 3 in the human body

Here’s a curiosity that will make you smile if you come to Bali. The human body is divided into three parts: the head, the torso, and the feet.

The head is considered sacred. For a Balinese, touching someone’s head is a delicate, almost intimate gesture. Even barbers always ask permission before cutting your hair, because they know they’re handling something sacred. The torso is a middle zone, and the feet are seen as the “lowest,” most impure part.

You can already see how the number 3 in Bali appears in the physical and symbolic division of the human body.

And do you know why women carry offerings on their heads? Because they’re blessed with holy water and shouldn’t place anything below head level. If you want to learn more, check out my detailed article about Balinese offerings.

The Balinese Trinity explained simply

Now let’s talk about something you’ll hear all the time: the Trinity in Bali. Don’t think of the Christian one right away—though yes, Christians also have a Trinity, but the meaning is very different.

For us Westerners, the Trinity is often linked to good and evil, a kind of battle between opposites. For Balinese people, it’s all about balance. Everything must coexist and find harmony.

This Balinese Trinity is called the Trimurti:

Brahma, the creator
Vishnu, the preserver
Shiva, the destroyer (not evil, because destruction is part of regeneration)

These three gods don’t fight—they work together to keep the world in balance. And this balance is the heart of the importance of the number 3 in Bali.

What is Trimurti?

Something that always makes me smile: tourists often write “triumviri” when talking about Balinese religion. But triumviri is Latin, and belongs to Roman history (like Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus). In Bali, it’s called Trimurti, referring to the three entities—Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva—that together create the Om.

It’s understandable to get confused, especially since some blogs online mix them up. But now you know!

The number 3 in everyday life in Bali

Think the number 3 is only for temples or gods? Think again. Here are some examples where you’ll see three in Balinese daily life.

The number 3 in temples

Balinese temples always have three zones:

The inner sacred zone, for believers only, often behind a gate
The central zone, for people wearing sarongs and belts, participating in ceremonies
The outer zone, open to everyone—including tourists—where people often gather and chat

I remember Aldo’s face when he was told he couldn’t enter the inner zone because he wasn’t wearing a sarong. He stood there, fascinated, peeking through the bars, and asked, “Mom, do the gods live in there?” That’s Bali.

You might think, “But everywhere outside the temples they give you a sarong, so why was he left out?” The truth is, sarongs are only provided in temples where tourists go. Elsewhere, entering without a sarong is considered sacrilegious.

The number 3 in Balinese houses

Houses also follow a triple division:

Foundations
Main structure
Roof

And the entire space inside the house is divided into three:

The outer part, for animals, trash, and work tools
The living area, where people gather
The private zone, with bedrooms

The number 3 in languages

Another fun fact: Balinese speak three different languages. One at home, one in markets or informal contexts, and one very formal for addressing someone of higher rank or in official occasions. It’s not just about words, but respect and social roles. Another way the number 3 in Bali shows up in daily life.

The number 3 in city zones

Even Balinese cities follow a three-part division:

The central elevated zone, often with Vishnu’s temple
The intermediate zone, with secondary activities and Brahma’s temple
The outer zone, for less sacred work like farming or waste management, with Shiva’s temple

Balinese balance (and why 3 in Bali is more than just a number)

The most important lesson I’ve learned living here: for Balinese people, three is not just a number—it’s the key to balance.

When this balance breaks—due to trauma, illness, or negative events—a purification is needed. And no, it’s not something you can just decide to do because you saw it on Instagram. It must be performed by a Mangku Balian, considering your birth date, emotional and physical state. I explain more about this in my article on Balinese purification rituals.

So yes, you can wait in line at a temple, but if you don’t understand why, it doesn’t really make sense.

If you really want to understand Bali, notice how many times the number 3 appears: in houses, temples, languages, and people. And if you want more than just a cool photo, ask yourself why.

Curious to explore more about the importance of number 3 in Bali? Follow along—I have plenty of stories to share!

Safe and mindful travels!

Planning a trip to Bali with kids?

From mystical temples to the rice fields of Sidemen, from local markets to beaches: Bali is a family-sized adventure waiting for you. I’ve gathered practical tips, authentic stops, and low-budget ideas to help you discover the island with curious eyes and light backpacks.

And if you want to go even deeper, to discover the Real Bali — the one you won’t find in brochures — I recommend Viaggiaibali.com: a complete guide for those who dream of truly living it, with a sustainable and respectful eye towards local communities.

Read all articles about Bali with kids →
Go to Viaggiaibali.com →