Symbolism of numbers in ancient cultures and literature

Symbolics of numbers is an interesting topic. Numbers surround us everywhere, and numerologists have long been engaged in deciphering them and explaining what they can mean. They regularly find out some interesting facts and interesting information. However, all this can be told in order.

Zero and one

Observing the traditional order, it is worth starting with these figures. Zero is the absence of something, emptiness, nothing. But not in the Jewish Kabbalah (esoteric and religious-mystical flow of the 12th century). If you believe him, then zero is the personification of everything that has no boundaries and is not subject to control. It is worth looking at the figure figures: it has no beginning, no end. And its elliptical elongation can symbolize the fall and ascent.

But in Egyptian culture, the symbol of zero was personified by the omnipresent deity. The Incas considered it the one that symbolized the earthly rulers and gods. For Pythagoras, who was not only a mathematician, but also a mystic and the creator of a religious and philosophical school, zero was a perfect form. In Buddhism, it is customary to consider this figure as a reflection of emptiness and immateriality. In Islam, zero symbolizes the essence of the Divine, and in Taoism - non-being and emptiness.

The symbolism of number 1 is of special interest. Practically in all cultures it symbolizes the beginning, the primary unity, something central and inseparable. Pythagoreans believed that a unit is the primary point of each calculation. Adherents of Confucianism consider the number 1 the mystical center from which our world came. It is also assumed that this figure is relevant to all people who have appeared on the 30, 27, 24, 21, 18, 15, 12, 9, 6, 3, and 1 numbers. Those whose birth date in the aggregate forms a unit are characterized by numerology as leaders by their nature. For example, 03.10.1995: 0 + 3 + 1 + 0 + 1 + 9 + 9 + 5 = 28 = 2 + 8 = 10 = 1+ 0 = 1. And if you pay attention to how the symbolism of numbers in the Patristic Exegesis, it can be found that even there 1 symbolizes the Creator and the beginning of everything that only exists on Earth.

Two

In general, this number symbolizes duality. As in Buddhism, by the way. But there are other options. Chinese philosophy says that 2 is the yin, the female principle. But the symbolism of numbers in the patristic exegesis treats this figure differently - as the double nature of Jesus, who was not only God, but also a Man with a capital letter.

Jewish philosophy says that the deuce personifies life force. In the notorious Kabbalah, number 2 is denoted as the personification of self-consciousness and wisdom.

Very interesting is the symbolism of the number 2 in literature, to be more precise, in the work of Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoyevsky. And every person who reads his works will understand what is being said. At the heart of many of his work came the idea of duality. Take, for example, the story "The Double". The topic is already laid in the title. Although references to the phenomenon of duality can be traced back to the "Poor People". However, there it is displayed in the image of one character (Makar Devushkin), in its external and spiritual state. And in the story of 1846 this phenomenon is shown physically. There appears a real double for the protagonist. However, this topic is reflected in "Notes from the Underground", "Idiot", "Brothers Karamazov", in the socio-psychological novel "Crime and Punishment". Symbols of numbers can be traced in many other stories. For example, in the "Hero of Our Time" by M. Yu. Lermontov, in "Alice in the Looking Glass" by Lewis Carroll and other literary works of different eras.

Three

The symbolism of number 3 also deserves special attention. Because this figure embodies the idea of triune unity, which is the basis of many religious and philosophical teachings. With figure 3, even the three-dimensionality of our space, that is, the height, length and width, is associated. And the three-phase state of the substance - hardness, liquid, vapor. This includes birth, life and death; Beginning, middle and end; But also the past, the present and the future. It is also considered that 3 is the personification of luck.

And again it is worth turning to such an interesting topic as the symbolism of numbers in literature. Because the troika also occupies a certain place in it. In the Tale of the Fisherman and the Fish, the old man was offered exactly 3 wishes. In the "Humpbacked Horse", the peasant had 3 sons. And "The Tale of Tsar Saltan"? After all, it was in her that three girls under the window spun late at night.

A winged expression? "Lying with three boxes," "crying in 3 streams," "bend into 3 deaths ... Everyone knows these phrases. Yes, and God, as they say, loves the trinity. Why this attention was paid to this figure? It was considered magical. And because it was made up of the sum of the two previous numbers - one and two. And in the magic ceremonies, the trio played a role. Even now many people habitually 3 times "flick" through the left shoulder, after which they make as many knock on the wooden surface, if they do not want the misfortune to happen.

In general, the generally accepted symbolism of numbers is that the triple is the first perfect strong number, since when it is divided, the central equilibrium point remains. Therefore it is considered to be favorable, complete, complete and harmonious. Representatives of almost all cultures and beliefs came to this conclusion.

Four

Completeness, integrity, totality - that's synonymous with what this number is. And so it is considered for a reason, as in all other cases. The square, the most correct figure, has four sides. And all are equal. There are also four sides of the world. As well as the seasons. In the traditions of all initiations and religions, there is a 4-fold division of the world. In Egypt, it was believed that the celestial arch rests on pillars, of which there are only four. And in Pythagoreanism, this figure is considered to be the personification of perfection and harmonious proportions. And this can be traced even in chaos. There are in the form of "the four horsemen of the Apocalypse" - a term that describes the characters (of course, in what quantity) from the 6th chapter of the Revelation of St. John the Divine.

In art and literature, the symbolism of the number 4 also occurs frequently. The greatest Italian architect, Andrea Palladio, wrote a book entitled "Four Books on Architecture". This is a serious set of knowledge and rules on classical architecture, which includes 4 books. In China, there is a literary tradition - to name the four most famous works of different epochs "four classic novels." There are many other examples, but I would like to turn to painting. German graphic artist and artist of the 15th century, Albrecht Durer, painted the painting "Four Apostles". And Jerome Bosch, a Dutch painter of the same time, owns the creation of "7 deadly sins and 4 last things."

And what about people, whose number is the patron of which is the four? They are very peculiar in character. In disputes, they often take the side of the opposition. These people are real rebels capable of rebelling against the system. They do not have a limited mind and worldview, so they are able to achieve unprecedented heights. They can be described as practical, focused and determined personalities. True, they are also stubborn, which sometimes makes them seem unbearable.

Five

This number is considered the most important ordinal beginning. This is especially emphasized in the symbolism of the pentagram. In general, 5 is something human. So they believe in many cultures, tying the figure to the hand, with five fingers. It is also an important symbol of the universe in the Celtic, Japanese, Chinese and other traditions. Love, sensuality, health, meditation, strength - all of the above is customarily embodied with the five. This is also indicated by the traditional symbols of numbers.

The Pythagoreans believed that 5 is a sacred number, since it has a triple, representing the sky, and a deuce signifying the earth.

By the way, a five-pointed star from ancient times to our days is a military sign of difference. This is no accident. After all, in the Akkadian mythology was the goddess of war, strife, carnal love and fertility, known as Ishtar. It was her symbol that was the 5-star.

But in Christianity, this figure personifies a person after the Fall. I remember the Pentateuch of Moses, the five senses, the five points of the cross formation, the five wounds of Jesus Christ, as well as the five fish that sowed 5,000 people.

Particular importance attached to this number of Chinese. In their culture, everything really important and basic exists in this quantity: elements, atmospheric substances, states, planets, sacred mountains, flowers, seeds, tastes, poisons, amulets, main virtues, initiations, eternal ideals.

It is interesting that in our time there is a so-called fifth power. This name indicates an influential political force in society, which is inferior in importance to the executive, legislative, judicial, and even the press.

And while considering such a subject as the symbolism of numbers, one can not but note with attention that 5 is a mirror homoglyph of the "two". This also has its own magic.

Six and seven

The perfect figure 6 in most cultures is considered the embodiment of harmony and balance. In numerology, this number is called hexad, that symbolizes symmetry and the creation of something new. The "Six" is a union of opposites, which forms a single integrity. Nothing bad is connected with her. Although many immediately recall the diabolical "three sixes", otherwise known as the "number of the beast." There is an opinion that in fact it is 616, not 666 - supposedly when rewriting the revelation of St. John was a mistake. So many "three sixes" are considered superstition. Although even in this case this figure showed its "ideality". After all, 666, if you believe superstitions, it is perfect atheism.

And what is the symbolism of the number 7? This figure is considered divine, magical, happy. And the most common common symbol for all religions. Also this number is most often used as a basis for classification. Much in this world is grouped by 7. It is so much in a week of days, and in a rainbow - shades. It is customary to single out 7 cosmic eras, the same number of heavens and circles in hell. Wonders of the world are also 7, as well as the human age. And in all cultures, the "seven" means something good. In Islam, 7 symbolizes the highest bliss. In Hinduism - happiness. In Buddhism, something supreme, sacred. And the Pythagoreans believed that 7 is a cosmic number, which includes the Four of the World and the Three of Heaven.

And in culture it is not rare. Take, for example, proverbs and sayings. "Measure seven times - cut once," "seven do not wait," "for a beloved friend 7 miles is not a corner", "it's better to burn 7 times than 1 widow" - these are just some of them. And in literature, by the way, quite often this figure occurs. For example, Turgenev said that "we are in at least seven of my waters, our Russian essence of us can not withdraw." And in the work "The Stars of a Stranger's Side", written by Lev Quinn, it was said: "Over 7 oceans, where there are 7 ovens, 7 old women bake 77 pies".

Eight

The symbolism of the number 8 deserves special attention. It is commonly believed that it symbolizes restoration, renewal, happiness and paradise. In Christianity it is the eighth day that gives birth to a new man - purified during the week-long fast. And after the World Flood, only 8 people were saved.

Pythagoreans perceived this number as a symbol of stability and three-dimensionality. Buddhists believe that 8 is the embodiment of all possibilities, completeness and good omen. The same opinion is held in Chinese culture. There is even such a thing as the "eight joys of human existence".

Naturally, this number, like many others, is also "involved" in culture. There are many sayings in which it is mentioned. "Seven years was silent, on the eighth cried out" - again, a reference to the true meaning of this number can be traced. "Spring and autumn - eight days for the day," "seven, eight-laziness will be discarded," "for the next autumn, eight years from now" - surely these winged expressions are known to many.

It is also worth noting that this number is often viewed as an image of a "double" four. Another "eight" is the first cube. It is for this reason that Plutarch was confident that this number is a symbol of firmness and reliability. In Egypt, this number personified cosmic order, as in the East.

Nine

This figure is also very interesting symbolism. The meaning of numbers, if you refer to numerology, says: the nine is very versatile and contradictory. If the figure could be attributed to a character, it would be charismatic and impulsive.

9 represents cyclicity and constancy. In the Taoist, Moist, Buddhist, Aztec culture, this number has always been associated with the notion of heaven. And in the culture of ancient Greece, as may be known to many, there were 9 musicals.

But many attribute this number to a negative meaning. Someone justifies this by saying that the nine is an inverted six (again referring to the topic with the "number of the beast"). Others recall 9 circles of hell from Dante's Divine Comedy. And still there is the "Curse of the 9th Symphony". It says: every composer must die after the creation of the 9th symphony. However, this is attributed to superstition.

Interestingly, even from a mathematical point of view, this figure is unique. If you multiply it by some other number, you end up with a nine. Here is an illustrative example: 9 x 5 = 45 = 4 + 5 = 9. And now with a 2-digit number: 9 x 13 = 117 = 1 + 1 +7 = 9.

In all cultures, this number is the square of the sacred triplet, of which the surprising meanings were mentioned above. Bahaists consider the nine to be the personification of human uniqueness and greatness. In the mythology of Ancient Egypt there were exactly 9 creators of the world. In Chinese philosophy, the nine personifies the dragon, and, as is known, in this culture he is one of the greatest symbols. The dragon is a good beginning. In honor of him, even an annual holiday is arranged.

Ten

This is the number of the cosmos, which contains all of the above figures, and hence all the possibilities, values and values previously mentioned. So it was considered in many ancient cultures, and this opinion exists to this day. The dozen embodies something all-encompassing. This is power, order, law.

Pythagoreans believe that 10 represents renewal. In ancient Rome, this number was perceived as a symbol of perfection. This number was denoted by ix. And "X" is a figure embodying completeness. In Chinese, by the way, this number is also denoted by ix. Only the center is formed by the character "chi". So in their culture the "I" is symbolized.

There are also a lot of other statements that prove that 10 is a symbol of a single whole. So, for example, a person has 10 fingers on his hand. People use the decimal number system. And taxes, by the way, were almost always tithes.

In the culture of ancient Greece, the "ten" was considered a number that symbolized the return, completion, termination of something. So, for example, Odysseus was in wandering for 9 years. And he returned to the 10th year. However, there is another example. Troy was kept in siege for 9 years, for the 10th year she fell.

Other numbers

Well, there were a lot of interesting things to tell about the "foundations" of numerology. But there is still a lot of other interesting information about other numbers. However, it is impossible to talk about everyone. At least because their number is infinite. Therefore, it is worth "counting" to the fucking dozen - up to 13.

So, what is interesting about the symbolism of the number 11? He is not credited with the best value. "Ten" is perfection, the law. A 11 - something that means going beyond the limits of both one and the second. This figure in many cultures is associated with the name of Satan. It shows a duality - maybe, that's why it became sacred among those who worship demons? By the way, people who were interested in the symbolism of the number 11, found out one very interesting point. If you multiply 111 111 111 by the same value, you will get 12345678987654321. It is worthwhile to look at the result. After all, these are all single digits listed first by increasing, and then - by descending.

And what interesting can tell the symbolism of the number 12? Contrary to the previous number 11, it is a symbol personifying the cosmic order. And everyone can understand why. After all, in the zodiacal system there are 12 signs. As in the eastern horoscope. And months in the year too 12. Christianity also has 12 fruits of the spirit, as many apostles, days, in which Christmas is celebrated. But in Egyptian culture, it is commonly believed that there are 12 gates of hell. There, Ra God spends his night hours. And, finally, it is worth noting with attention how the symbolism of the number 12 in the Jewish culture is deciphered. It is commonly believed that there are 12 gates of the Heavenly City, as many fruits of the Tree of Life and the sons of Jacob.

And finally - a few words about the figure, which everyone knows as the fucking dozen. The symbolism of number 13 is unusual. To this figure there has always been a special relationship. Some people consider her happy, others - bringing trouble. In Kabbalah this number is the embodiment of Satan. In the holy book there is even a mention of the 13 evil spirits. And for the Aztecs, for example, this number is associated with time. It was the value 13 that terminated the time cycle. And in this culture it is considered that in the head of the main deity there are exactly 13 curls, as well as a dowel in the beard.

Well, as you can see, each number carries in itself something mysterious and magical. It is difficult to disagree with this. And this topic is especially interesting, since each statement has an actual basis. However, this can be said for a long time. But information on other numbers can be found individually.