Culture and the Meaning Behind Numbers
"Numbers Rule the Universe." - Pythagoras
We have always had a fascination with numbers. They show up time and time again, not only in our science, but in our philosophies.
Kabbalists first began exploring a mystical meaning behind numbers by ascribing each letter of the Hebrew alphabet with a number to turn them into words. This led to the practice of what we know today, as numerology.
"The word Numerology comes from the Latin word "numerus," which means number, and the Greek word "logos," which means word, thought, and expression."
Source- NumbersRU.com
Here we will examine some commonly held cultural meanings behind the numbers zero-to-nine. According to Pythagorus; "nine is the limit of all numbers, all others existing and coming from the same." 0 to 9 is all we need to make up our infinite world of numbers...
Sources: ChineseTravelFacts.com, GodWeb.org
Special Credit to CrystalLinks.com
The Number Zero
Endless Perfection
Zero is from the Latin "nulla figura" (no figure). Historically, it was ignored as having no real meaning for quite a while. Now, zero often symbolizes new beginnings and transformation. Zero as an empty circle, depicts both the vast emptiness and grand totality of the Universe.Chinese: The void.
Kabbalism: Boundless, no limits.
Pythagorean: Pythagoras saw zero as representing the perfect number.
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One
The Beginning
One symbolizes a single entity or a total unity. Undivided: the Universal representation of the beginning, the middle and the end.Chinese: One is an auspicious yang number; both masculine and celestial in nature. Represents the seed of conception.
Christianity: God the Father
Pythagorean: One is the Source of all things.
Two
Duality
The number two represents the duality of the Universe. Night and day, black and white, good and evil.Chinese: Depending on the region, two is seen as either auspicious or unlucky. As an unlucky number, it is associated with yin, or the feminine earthbound force.
Christianity: Represents the dual nature of Christ as being both a man and the Son of God.
Pythagorean: Two is the divided being.
Three
The Spiritual World
The number three, is regarded as a sacred number in many ancient cultures. It is a heavenly number, often representing the spiritual world.Chinese: Three is auspicious, like the three-legged toad; which bring good fortune.
Christianity: Three represents the Holy Trinity - God the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.
Pythagorean: Three means completion.
God's Math
"The laws of nature are but the mathematical thoughts of God."
~ Euclid
Four
The Physical World
In the West, four represents the physical world, as the 4 elements (Fire, Water, Air, Earth), the 4 seasons and as the 4 cardinal points (North, South, East, and West).Chinese: Four is the number of the earth, symbolized by the square. In many Alternately, in other Asian cultures, the number 4 is considered unlucky because it sounds similar to their word for "death".
Christianity: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John; the four "evangelists" on earth. There are four cardinal virtues (Prudence, Fortitude, Justice, and Temperance).
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.
"There four angels standing at the four corners of the Earth, holding back the four winds of the earth." (Rev 7:1)
Pythagorean: Four is perfection; harmonious proportion; justice and the earth.
Five
Elemental Forces
Five represents the five senses (Taste, Touch, Smell, Sight and Hearing). In the East, there are six senses, the sixth being the Mind.
Chinese: The number five symbolizes five elements (Water, Wood, Fire, Earth and Metal).
Christianity- Sacrifice. The five wounds of Christ on the cross (His Hands, Feet, and Side).
Occult: The five pointed star depicts individuality and spiritual aspiration, and education when it points upward. The five pointed star pointing downward represents witchcraft, and it is used in black magic.
Pythagorean: The marriage of heaven, earth.
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Six
Creation and Harmony or Imperfection
Six represents equilibrium; harmony and balance. It symbolizes a union of male and female when seen as two interlaced triangles. The triangle pointing up, is masculine, associated with fire and the heavens. The triangle pointing down, is feminine, associated with flowing waters and the earth.Chinese: In Chinese culture there are six senses: taste, touch, smell, sight, hearing, and the sixth is the mind. The number 6 in Chinese, sounds similar to another Chinese word meaning "flowing, or smooth", therefore it is considered very lucky.
Christianity- Six is man's number, because God created man on the sixth day. It often symbolizes imperfection, because it falls short of the perfect number seven (just as man fell from the Garden of Eden).
666- The number of the Beast.
"This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let him calculate the number of the beast, for it is man's number. His number is 666." (Rev 13:18)
Kabbalism: Six is creation, and beauty.
Pythagorean: Luck
Seven
Luck, Healing
The number seven is considered lucky by many different cultures and religions.Christianity- Seven represents the number of perfection. God rested on the seventh day. Symbolic of virtue, and self-sacrifice.
Seven doves surrounding the letters "SS" (Latin- "Spiriti Sancti" or "Holy Spirit") symbolize seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: power, wealth, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and praise. (Rev. 5:12).
It is believed in some western cultures, that the seventh son of a seventh son has the power of healing and that the seventh daughter of a seventh daughter has the gift of interpreting dreams.
Chinese: Seven symbolizes "togetherness". It is thought to be a lucky number for relationships.
Kabbalism: It relates to Man's feelings and instincts - to his sexuality.
Pythagorean: Seven is a cosmic number; with the Universe made up of the three of heaven and the four of the world- equaling seven.
Eight
Infinity
Infinity: The Greek symbol for infinity looks like the number eight laid on its side.
Chinese: Believe that the number eight is sacred, lucky and very powerful.
- 8 triangles represent the I-Ching or the "Book of Changes", (an ancient Chinese divination guide).
- The two numbers 8-8 together, resemble the Chinese pictograph for "Double Happiness."
- In Mandarin, the sound for "eight" is similar to that for "prosperity or wealth"; while in Cantonese, it is similar to the sound meaning "fortune".
Christianity: Eight represents rebirth or resurrection.
Occult: 8 is linked to magic and represents equilibrium or the balance of various forces. It represents perfection, duality, and the unity between male and female.This is a very powerful and cosmic symbol to use in your home.
Pythagorean: Eight is solidarity and stability.
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8-8
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Nine
The Foundation
Chinese: The number nine, is considered especially auspicious in China. This is because it is associated with the Emperor of China and that the word for "nine" sounds similar to the word for "long-lasting".Christianity: There are nine choirs of angels, nine gifts of the Holy Spirit, and nine; as in 3 times 3, as it refers to the Holy Trinity.
Kabbalism: Nine symbolizes a foundation.
Pythagorean: The nine is the limit of all numbers, all others existing and coming from the same. 0 to 9 is all one needs to make up an infinite amount of numbers.
Your Thoughts and Ideas
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Reply
- Spook Spook Sep 13, 2009 @ 1:44 pm
- Excellent work. A kot more to all this than I ever realised. Enjoyed reading it.
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Reply
- Joan4 Joan4 Sep 12, 2009 @ 5:29 pm
- I have always been fascinated by numbers, too! I believe that 44 is the sign of an angel. I always "follow" 44's. Very interesting lens on an unusual subject.
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