Here are as many collections of human illustrations of the trinity and their flaws. The best understanding of basic trinity concept is via the Shield of the Trinity (There is only 1 God in 3 persons - the Father is God, the Son is God, the Holy Spirit is God; The Father is not the Son nor the Holy Spirit, the Son is not the Holy Spirit). However, there are those who believe themselves more creative. I shall list them here, and note the danger of their illustrations, which is either modalism/sabellianism (1 God in 3 forms) or tritheism (3 gods).
. 3 forms of water: gas, liquid, solid.
Flaw: in gas is the same in liquid and solid form (Modalism).- the Sun's being, light, heat.
Flaw: Light and heat are not the Sun itself (Tritheism). - flower's shape, color, smell
Flaw: None are actually the flower (tritheism). - 1 x 1 x 1 = 1
Flaw: 1 x 1 x 1 is not 3 (modalism); 1 + 1 + 1 = 3 (tritheism). 1 x 1 x 1 x 1 = 1 (quadrinity issue). Further confusion:
(possibly docetism). However, the simplicity of 1 x 1 x 1 can be used to refute addition as necessity, though not enough to go on from there. - Copies of the Bible
Flaw: quadrinity issue.