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16
Number M lystery

Because of the regular and changeless relationships observ-
able between the integral numbers, the ancient philosophers
claimed to be able to discover a mystical significance in
many of them—particularly the nine digits—individually.
Mathematical truths were accepted as fixed and certain num-
bers, being representations of these truths, were regarded
also as being revelations from the controlling deities.

The number one was generally considered to have a par-
ticularly sacred identity. Because of its indisputable position
as the origin of all numbers it was held to be the numero-
logical symbol of life and creation, and it derived added
strength and stature by reason of its indivisibility.

The number fwo was accounted the first feminine number;
all even numbers being considered feminine and all odd
numbers masculine. In general the odd numbers were
thought to exercise favourable influences whereas the even
numbers were, somewhat unchivalrously, considered un-
favourable. Consequently the number {wo found very little
favour and, indeed, was often regarded as a symbol of death
and evil generally.

In the Pythagorean philosophy, the number tArec was con-
sidered the acme of perfection because it expressed the be-
ginning, the centre and the end of all things. It was the uni-
verse in a nutshell! This number was extremely popular when
numerology was a flourishing philosophy and its popularity
has lasted to the present day. It appears repeatedly in both
the Old and New Testaments of the Bible, its most significant
function being the symbolical representation of the Holy
Trinity.

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