O presente artigo é o resultado da pesquisa de campo sobre as tríades e o crime organizado chinês, realizada em Hong Kong. Baseia-se em bibliografia sugerida por pesquisadores de universidades locais, entrevistas com pesquisadores, jornalistas e membros atuantes na segurança pública, e em observação de campo. Analiso as raízes simbólicas e as origens históricas das tríades chinesas procurando diferenciá-la da ideia de crime organizado convencional. Com uma perspectiva interdisciplinar, procuro descontruir aspectos exagerados, irreais e folclóricos, bem como expor as características atuais desse tipo de organização. This article is the result of the field research about the Triads and the Chinese organized crime, made in Hong Kong. It is based on local literature, suggested by researchers from local universities, also interviews with researchers, journalists, both former and current members of public security, and personal observation in the field research about the activities of these organizations. The focus is to address the symbolic roots and historical origins of the Chinese Triads as well as its structure and functioning, then differentiating it from the conventional idea of organized crime. Aiming an analysis interdisciplinary of the object, I use the geography, history and social sciences to deconstruct exaggerated, unrealistic and folkloric aspects and expose the current characteristics of this organization. Cet article est le résultat de recherches sur le terrain à propos des triades et du crime organisé chinois, qui ont eu lieu à Hong Kong. Il se base sur la bibliographie proposée par les chercheurs des universités locales, des entretiens avec des chercheurs, des journalistes et des membres actifs de la sécurité publique, ainsi que de l’observation sur le terrain. Nous analysons les racines symboliques et les origines historiques des triades chinoises tout en tentant de les différencier de l’idée conventionnelle de crime organisé. Suivant une perspective interdisciplinaire, nous avons tenté de déconstruire des aspects exagérés, irréels et folkloriques, ainsi que d’exposer les caractéristiques actuelles de ce type d’organisation.