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    Article MASONIC EXPLANATIONS OF THE NUMBERS. ← Page 2 of 4 →
Page 3

Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Masonic Explanations Of The Numbers.

The ternary is the first of the unequal numbers . Tho triad , mysterious number , which plays so great a part iu the traditions of Asia and the 2 ) hilosoj > hy of Plato , image of the Supreme Being , includes in itself the ] iroperties of the two first numbers . It was , to the philosoimers , tho most excellent and favourite number ; a mysterious typerevered by

, all antiquity , and consecrated in the mysteries ; wherefore there are but three essential degrees among Masons ; who venerate , in the triangle , the most august mystery , that of the sacred triad , object of their homage and study . In geometry , a line cannot represent a body absolutely perfect . As little do two lines constitute a figure

demonstratively perfect . But three lines form , by their junction , thc triangle , or the first figure regularly perfect ; and this is why it has served aud still serves to characterize the Eternal , who , infinitely perfect in his nature , is , as Universal Creator , the first Being , and consequently the first perfection . The quadrangle or square , perfect as it appears , being but the second perfection , can iu nowise represent God , who is

the first . It is to be noted that the name . of God in Latin and French ( Deus , Dieu ) , has for its initial the delta or Greek triangle . Such is tlie reason , among ancients and moderns , for the consecration of the Trian gle , whose three sides are emblems of the three kingdoms , or nature , or God . In the centre is the Hebrew Jod ( initial of ffTrP ) , the

animating spirit or fire , the generative principle , represented by the letter G ., initial of the name of Deity in the languages of the north , and the meaning whereof is generation . The cipher 3 symbolizes the earth . It is a figure of the terrestrial bodies . The 2 , upper half of 3 , symbolizes the vegetable world ; the lower half being hidden from our

sight . 3 also referred to harmony , friendsl ^* , peace , concord , and temperance , and was so hi ghly esteemed among the Pythagoreans that they called it perfect harmony . Three , four , ten , and twelve , were sacred numbers among the Etrurians , as they were among the Jews , Egyptians , and Hindoos .

The name of Deit y in many nations consisted of three letters : among the Greeks , I . - . A . -. Q ,.: ; among the Persians , H . - . O . - . M . * . ; among the Hindoos , Aum ; among the Scandinavians , I . - . O . - . W . - . On the upright tablet of the king , discovered at Nimroud , uo less than five of the thirteen names of the great gods consist of three letters each—Aim ,

Sau , Yav , Bar , and Bel . The quarternary is the most perfect number , and the root of other numbers , and of all things . The tetrad expresses the first mathematical jroAver . 4 represents also the generative poAver from which all combinations are derived . The initiates considered it the emblem of Movement and the

Infinite , representing everything that is neither corporeal nor sensible . P ythagoras communicated it to his disciples as a symbol of the Eternal and Creative Princi ple , under the name of quarternary , the ineffable name of God , ivhich signifies source of every thing that has received existence ; and ivhich , in Hebrew , is composed of four letters .

In the quarternary we find the first solid figure , the universal symbol of immortality , the pyramid . Thc Gnostics claimed that the whole edifice , of their -science rested on a square whose angles were 2-y-,, Silence ; BaOoc , Profundity ; *'" t . Intelligence ; and AXifieia , Truth . For if the triangle , figured by the number 3 forms the triangular base of the

, Pyramid , it is unity whicli forms its point or summit . Lysis aud Tinueus , of Locria , said that not a single thing could be named ivhich did not deiiend on the quarternary as its root .

I here is , according to the Pythagoreans , a connection Jetweeu the gods and numbers ivhich constitutes a kind of uivniatiim called arithmomaucy . The soul is a number : it ^ moved of itself : it contains in itself tlie quarternary number . . J Matter being represented by the number 9 , or 3 times 3

and the Immortal S pirit having for its essential hieroglyphic the quarternary , or the number 4 , the sages said that man having gone astray and become entangled iu an inextricable labyrinth , in going from four to nine , the only way which he could take to emerge from these deceitful paths , these disastrous detours , and the abyss of evil into which he had 2 > lunged , was to retrace his ste 2 is , and go from nine to four .

The ingenious and mystical idea which caused the triangle to be venerated , was applied to the cipher 4 ( 1 ) . It was said that it expressed a living being , I , bearer of the triangle A , the emblem of God ; i . e ., man bearing with himself a Divine principle . Four was a divine number ; it referred to the Deity , and many ancient nations gave God a name of four letters ; as

the Hebrews , nirp , the Egyptians , Amun , the Persians , Sura , the Greeks , 0 EOS , aud the Latins , Deus . This was the tetragrammaton of the Hebrews , and the Pythagoreans called it tetractys , and sivore their most solemn oath by it . So , too , Odin among the Scandinavians , ZEYS among the GreeksPhta among the EgyptiansThoth among the

Phoe-, , nicians , aud As-ur aud Nebo among the Assyrians . The list mi ght be indefinitely extended . The number 5 was considered as mysterious , because it was compounded of the binary , symbol of the false and double , and the ternary , so interesting in its results . It thus energetically ex 2 iresses the state of imperfection , of order and

disorder , of happiness and misfortune , of life aud death , which we see upon the earth . To the mysterious societies it offered the fearful image of the bad jirinciple , bringing trouble into the inferior' order- —in a word , the binary acting iu tho ternary . Under another aspect it was the emblem of marriage ;

because it is comjj-osed of 2 , tho first equal number , and of 3 , the first unequal number . Wherefore Juno , the goddess of marriage , had for her hieroglyphic the number 5 . Moreover it has oue of the properties of the number nine , that of reproducing itself , when multiplied by itself : there

being always a 5 on the right hand of the product ; a result which led to its use as the symbol of material changes . The ancients represented the world by the number o . A reason for it , given by Diodorus , is , that it represents earth , water , air , fire , and ether or sjiirit . Thence the origin of leev-e ( 5 ) and liar , the universe , as the whole .

The number 5 designated the universal quintessence , and symbolized , by its form , <; , the vital essence , the animating sjjirit , which flows [ serpentat ] through all nature . Iu fact , this ingenious cipher is the union of the tivo Greek accents '' , placed over those VOAVCIS which ought to be or ought not to be asjiirated . Tho first sign ' bears tlie name of potent

spirit ; and signifies the Superior Sjiii-ifc , the Spirit of God aspirated ( spiratus ) , respired by man . The second sign ' is styled mild spirit , and represents the secondary sjiirit , the spirit purely human . The triple triangle , a figure of five lines uniting in five pointswas among the Pythagoreans au emblem of health .

, Ifc is the pentalpha of Pythagoras , or peutaugle of Solomon ; has five lines aud five angles , aud is among Masons the outline or origin of the fiveqiointed star , and an emblem of fellowship . The number li was , in the ancient mysteries , a striking emblem of nature ; as presenting thc six dimensions of all

bodies ; the six lines which make up their form , viz .: the four lines of direction , toivards the north , south , east , and west ; with the two lines of height and depth , responding to the zenith and nadir . The sages applied tiro senary to tho physical man ; while the septenary ivas , for therir , the symbol of his immortal spirit .

The hieroglyphical senary ( thc double equilateral triangle ) is the symbol of Deity . 6 is also an . emblem of health , and the symbol of justice , because ifc is thc first perfect number ; that is , thc first whose

“The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine: 1860-07-14, Page 3” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 2 July 2025, django:8000/periodicals/mmr/issues/mmr_14071860/page/3/.
  • List
  • Grid
Title Category Page
CLASSICAL THEOLOGY.—XXV. Article 1
MASONIC EXPLANATIONS OF THE NUMBERS. Article 2
THE MODEL AMERICAN MASONIC EDITOR. Article 5
ARCHÆOLOGY. Article 6
MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES. Article 7
NOTES ON LITERATURE, SCIENCE AND ART. Article 8
Poetry. Article 9
THE PLAYMATE. Article 9
CORRESPONDENCE. Article 9
PROV. G.M. FOR KENT. Article 11
COUNTY REGISTRATION OF LODGES. Article 11
THE MASONIC MIRROR. Article 11
METROPOLITAN. Article 12
PROVINCIAL. Article 12
KNIGHTS TEMPLAR. Article 14
ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED RITE. Article 15
IRELAND. Article 15
PRUSSIA. Article 17
SOUTH AUSTRALIA. Article 17
AMERICA. Article 18
MASONIC FESTIVITIES. Article 18
THE WEEK. Article 19
PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS. Article 20
TO CORRESPONDENTS. Article 20
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Masonic Explanations Of The Numbers.

The ternary is the first of the unequal numbers . Tho triad , mysterious number , which plays so great a part iu the traditions of Asia and the 2 ) hilosoj > hy of Plato , image of the Supreme Being , includes in itself the ] iroperties of the two first numbers . It was , to the philosoimers , tho most excellent and favourite number ; a mysterious typerevered by

, all antiquity , and consecrated in the mysteries ; wherefore there are but three essential degrees among Masons ; who venerate , in the triangle , the most august mystery , that of the sacred triad , object of their homage and study . In geometry , a line cannot represent a body absolutely perfect . As little do two lines constitute a figure

demonstratively perfect . But three lines form , by their junction , thc triangle , or the first figure regularly perfect ; and this is why it has served aud still serves to characterize the Eternal , who , infinitely perfect in his nature , is , as Universal Creator , the first Being , and consequently the first perfection . The quadrangle or square , perfect as it appears , being but the second perfection , can iu nowise represent God , who is

the first . It is to be noted that the name . of God in Latin and French ( Deus , Dieu ) , has for its initial the delta or Greek triangle . Such is tlie reason , among ancients and moderns , for the consecration of the Trian gle , whose three sides are emblems of the three kingdoms , or nature , or God . In the centre is the Hebrew Jod ( initial of ffTrP ) , the

animating spirit or fire , the generative principle , represented by the letter G ., initial of the name of Deity in the languages of the north , and the meaning whereof is generation . The cipher 3 symbolizes the earth . It is a figure of the terrestrial bodies . The 2 , upper half of 3 , symbolizes the vegetable world ; the lower half being hidden from our

sight . 3 also referred to harmony , friendsl ^* , peace , concord , and temperance , and was so hi ghly esteemed among the Pythagoreans that they called it perfect harmony . Three , four , ten , and twelve , were sacred numbers among the Etrurians , as they were among the Jews , Egyptians , and Hindoos .

The name of Deit y in many nations consisted of three letters : among the Greeks , I . - . A . -. Q ,.: ; among the Persians , H . - . O . - . M . * . ; among the Hindoos , Aum ; among the Scandinavians , I . - . O . - . W . - . On the upright tablet of the king , discovered at Nimroud , uo less than five of the thirteen names of the great gods consist of three letters each—Aim ,

Sau , Yav , Bar , and Bel . The quarternary is the most perfect number , and the root of other numbers , and of all things . The tetrad expresses the first mathematical jroAver . 4 represents also the generative poAver from which all combinations are derived . The initiates considered it the emblem of Movement and the

Infinite , representing everything that is neither corporeal nor sensible . P ythagoras communicated it to his disciples as a symbol of the Eternal and Creative Princi ple , under the name of quarternary , the ineffable name of God , ivhich signifies source of every thing that has received existence ; and ivhich , in Hebrew , is composed of four letters .

In the quarternary we find the first solid figure , the universal symbol of immortality , the pyramid . Thc Gnostics claimed that the whole edifice , of their -science rested on a square whose angles were 2-y-,, Silence ; BaOoc , Profundity ; *'" t . Intelligence ; and AXifieia , Truth . For if the triangle , figured by the number 3 forms the triangular base of the

, Pyramid , it is unity whicli forms its point or summit . Lysis aud Tinueus , of Locria , said that not a single thing could be named ivhich did not deiiend on the quarternary as its root .

I here is , according to the Pythagoreans , a connection Jetweeu the gods and numbers ivhich constitutes a kind of uivniatiim called arithmomaucy . The soul is a number : it ^ moved of itself : it contains in itself tlie quarternary number . . J Matter being represented by the number 9 , or 3 times 3

and the Immortal S pirit having for its essential hieroglyphic the quarternary , or the number 4 , the sages said that man having gone astray and become entangled iu an inextricable labyrinth , in going from four to nine , the only way which he could take to emerge from these deceitful paths , these disastrous detours , and the abyss of evil into which he had 2 > lunged , was to retrace his ste 2 is , and go from nine to four .

The ingenious and mystical idea which caused the triangle to be venerated , was applied to the cipher 4 ( 1 ) . It was said that it expressed a living being , I , bearer of the triangle A , the emblem of God ; i . e ., man bearing with himself a Divine principle . Four was a divine number ; it referred to the Deity , and many ancient nations gave God a name of four letters ; as

the Hebrews , nirp , the Egyptians , Amun , the Persians , Sura , the Greeks , 0 EOS , aud the Latins , Deus . This was the tetragrammaton of the Hebrews , and the Pythagoreans called it tetractys , and sivore their most solemn oath by it . So , too , Odin among the Scandinavians , ZEYS among the GreeksPhta among the EgyptiansThoth among the

Phoe-, , nicians , aud As-ur aud Nebo among the Assyrians . The list mi ght be indefinitely extended . The number 5 was considered as mysterious , because it was compounded of the binary , symbol of the false and double , and the ternary , so interesting in its results . It thus energetically ex 2 iresses the state of imperfection , of order and

disorder , of happiness and misfortune , of life aud death , which we see upon the earth . To the mysterious societies it offered the fearful image of the bad jirinciple , bringing trouble into the inferior' order- —in a word , the binary acting iu tho ternary . Under another aspect it was the emblem of marriage ;

because it is comjj-osed of 2 , tho first equal number , and of 3 , the first unequal number . Wherefore Juno , the goddess of marriage , had for her hieroglyphic the number 5 . Moreover it has oue of the properties of the number nine , that of reproducing itself , when multiplied by itself : there

being always a 5 on the right hand of the product ; a result which led to its use as the symbol of material changes . The ancients represented the world by the number o . A reason for it , given by Diodorus , is , that it represents earth , water , air , fire , and ether or sjiirit . Thence the origin of leev-e ( 5 ) and liar , the universe , as the whole .

The number 5 designated the universal quintessence , and symbolized , by its form , <; , the vital essence , the animating sjjirit , which flows [ serpentat ] through all nature . Iu fact , this ingenious cipher is the union of the tivo Greek accents '' , placed over those VOAVCIS which ought to be or ought not to be asjiirated . Tho first sign ' bears tlie name of potent

spirit ; and signifies the Superior Sjiii-ifc , the Spirit of God aspirated ( spiratus ) , respired by man . The second sign ' is styled mild spirit , and represents the secondary sjiirit , the spirit purely human . The triple triangle , a figure of five lines uniting in five pointswas among the Pythagoreans au emblem of health .

, Ifc is the pentalpha of Pythagoras , or peutaugle of Solomon ; has five lines aud five angles , aud is among Masons the outline or origin of the fiveqiointed star , and an emblem of fellowship . The number li was , in the ancient mysteries , a striking emblem of nature ; as presenting thc six dimensions of all

bodies ; the six lines which make up their form , viz .: the four lines of direction , toivards the north , south , east , and west ; with the two lines of height and depth , responding to the zenith and nadir . The sages applied tiro senary to tho physical man ; while the septenary ivas , for therir , the symbol of his immortal spirit .

The hieroglyphical senary ( thc double equilateral triangle ) is the symbol of Deity . 6 is also an . emblem of health , and the symbol of justice , because ifc is thc first perfect number ; that is , thc first whose

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