three sisters
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three sisters¹
Where it comes from
A calque from an Iroquoian language, compare Mohawk áhsen nikontatenò:sen, Oneida áshʌnaɂtekutahnú·tele, and Onondaga ahsę́ naˀdegųdęhnų́·dæ·ˀ.
First attested in 1850 in the context of Iroquoian mythology (see quote below). Use in reference to the plants themselves first attested in the 1890s (see also below).
noun
- The combination of maize (corn), pole beans (Phaseolus vulgaris or climbing beans, string beans, etc.), and squash (i.e. pumpkin), especially when planted together in intertwined plantings. One beautiful idea relates to the corn, beans and squashes, all indigenous plants which are called three sisters as well as their life or supporters. The thought is a happy one, for they grow together, and were always important in Indian life.
- The spirits or gods of corn, beans, and squash considered collectively. Perhaps the most beautiful conception in the mythology of the Iroquois, is that in relation to the Three Sisters, the Spirit of Corn, the Spirit of Beans, and the Spirit of Squashes.
- Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see three, sisters.
Three Sisters²
proper noun the Three Sisters
-
Synonym of Orion's Belt.
Similar: Orion's Belt
Talk about this word "three sisters." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/three%20sisters. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026. three sisters. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/three%20sisters "three sisters." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/three%20sisters.Cite this
@misc{three_sisters_2026,
title = {three sisters},
howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
year = {2026},
url = {https://micwyn.com/word/three%20sisters},
urldate = {2026-11-06}
}
