The Love Triangle Layout
Difficulty: Complicated
Casually referred to as the Love Triangle, this spread can be used to determine the dynamics of the relationship between three people, regardless of whether romance is involved. This spread is arranged in the form of a hexagram, consisting of several large and small triangles. This layout may seem somewhat complicated, but it is not entirely that difficult.
The first step is to interpret the tile for each individual position in the spread. Generally, one might ask about a relationship they are involved in, but this does not have to be the case. Ordinarily, the reader's representative tile is #1, their main person of interest is #2, and the other person would be #3.
The second step fills in the downward triangle and involves further examination of the individuals through their views of the other people. Each person has two more tiles showing the way they see and relate to the other members of the triangle. For example, Tile #6 indicates how Person #3 relates to Person #1, while Tile #9 stands for Person #1's attitude toward Person #3.
The next step completes the upward triangle and the hexagram, focusing on tiles #10–13. It also completes the many smaller triangles and hints at the potential for each relationship. The final tile, #13 can be considered the significator of the reading, which suggests the overall potential for this three-way relationship.
Your Love Triangle Reading
| P#3 | 3to2 | 2+3 |
2to3 | P#2 | ||
 |
3to1 |  |
Overall |  |
2to1 |  |
| 1+3 |  |
1to3 |  |
1to2 |  |
1+2 |
 |
 |
P#1 |  |
 |
||
 |
1: Person #1
Symbol: The Scholar
The Scholar represents gain through intellectual pursuits. The Scholar's mind is sharp and finds solutions to the most difficult problems.
2: Person #2
Symbol: The Woodcutter
The Woodcutter employs three of the five elements central to Chinese philosophy: Fire, Wood and Metal. He is ambitious and full of drive and energy. He represents gain and success through dedicated work.
3: Person #3
Symbol: Pleasure
The Chrysanthemum tile indicates you will enjoy a happy time filled with social activities and leisurely moments untainted by the demands of everyday life.
4: Person #1's view of #2
Symbol: Centre
The Red Dragon tile is indicative of success and the fulfilment of your goals.
5: Person #2's view of #3
Symbol: Commence
The Green Dragon tile suggests the time has come for you to begin a new project, or to take your life in a new direction.
6: Person #3's view of #1
Symbol: The Unknown
The White Dragon tile denotes unknown factors in your reading. Exactly what these factors are is beyond our vision, but they will have an impact on your life.
7: Person #2's view of #1
Symbol: The Farmer
The Farmer represents rewards gained through hard work and faith in oneself. He harvests riches from the planting and nurturing of his crops.
8: Person #3's view of #2
Symbol: Refinement
The Orchid tile suggests there may be rare and refined experiences coming into your life. Enjoy them!
9: Person #1's view of #3
Symbol: Mushroom
The Mushroom tile represents eternal life and oddity. It gets these attributes from the fact that mushrooms in nature always seem to regenerate and often popup where they are unexpected. The notion of oddity is derived from the mushroom seemingly having the nature of a plant, but lacking leaves. The Mushroom tile foretells the coming of unexpected events that will have a lasting impact on you.
10: Overall relationship between persons #1 and #2
Symbol: Peacock
This is the first tile of the first suit in a Mahjong set. Overall, it represents success. However, it also warns that success sometimes turns to arrogance, which can lead to loss of everything that has been gained. The Peacock tile also suggests a change in your life path is forthcoming.
11: Overall relationship between persons #2 and #3
Symbol: Sword
The Sword tile indicates a decision must be made before attainment of your goals can be reached.
12: Overall relationship between persons #1 and #3
The rat represents industry, hard work, and determination. The rat shrewdly builds up a stockpile during the summer, so that when times get tough it will be well prepared. On the negative side, this creature can be cowardly, cunning, and cruel – and a major pest which spreads disease and destruction.
13: Overall 3-way Relationship
Symbol: Pine Tree
The Pine Tree tile represents strength and resolve. It often refers to a powerful, determined man. While powerful, this person is not violent, but very skilled in attaining his goals through diplomacy.
