The three highest-ranking officials in the imperial court; specifically refers to the Grand Preceptor 太师 tài​shī, Grand Tutor 太傅 tài​fù, and Grand Guardian 太保 tài​bǎo in the Zhou dynasty, or the Grand Marshal 大司马 dà​sī​mǎ, Grand Minister of Education 大司徒 dà​sī​tú, and Grand Minister of Works 大司空 dà​sī​kōng in the Han dynasty

Three stars in the handle of the Big Dipper or near Ursa Major, historically associated with the high officials of the court