YAGNOPAVITHAM -THE SYMBOLISM OF THE SACRED THREAD

Symbolism of the sacred thread

In Hinduism and Buddhism, a Yajñopavītam  is a thin consecreted  cord, composed of distinct cotton strands, worn to symbolize the permission given to him to do Sandhyavandanam  and  Gayatri Mantram.  The sacred Upnayanam ceremony  that invests the wearer with the sacred Yajñopavītam is often considered a socially and spiritually significant rite  or  Samskara.

The strands of the sacred thread have symbolic meaning that varies by community and region. The sacred thread has three strands. A bachelor wears only one sacred thread where as a married man wears two of them making it six strands. If the man has married and has fathered a child, he wears three, which makes it nine strands.

Three debts

The three strands sometimes symbolize three debts Runam  that must never be forgotten and should be cleared.  The debt to one's teachers (गुरु ऋण, Guru Runam )  i.e. those who have taught the wearer; the debt to one's parents and ancestors (पितृ ऋण, Pitru Runam), i.e. those who have nurtured the wearer and made possible his existence; the debt to the sages/scholars (ऋषि ऋण Rushi Runam ) , i.e. those Ancient Maharshis who discovered knowledge, both spiritual and secular, over the ages, which now enriches the wearer's life.

In some versions, the debt to God (देव ऋण, Deva Runam).is added. The God who created this Universe  and in turn the living and non living beings.

Upon marriage, sometimes the number of strands increases to six, because the man is expected to assume the debts of his wife as well. 

Three devis

The three strands also  symbolizes:

Devi Gayatri (गायत्री, Goddess of mind)

Devi Saraswati (सरस्वती, Goddess of word)

Devi Savitri (सवित्री, Goddess of deed)