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

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

Masonic Explanations Of The Numbers.

aliquot j > arts [ h , - } , - } , or 3 , 2 and 1 ] , added together , make itself Ormuzd created six good spirits , and Ahriman six evil ones . These typify the six summer and the six winter months . No number has ever been so universally in ignite as the

sciptenary , Its celebrity is due , no doubt , to the planets being seven , in number . It belongs also to sacred things . The Pythagoreans regarded it as formed of the numbers 3 and 4 ; the first whereof was in their eyes the image of the throe material elements , and the second the principle of every thing that is neither corporeal nor sensible . It 2 >

resented them , from that point of view , the emblem of every thing that is 2 > erfect . Considered as composed of 6 and unit y , it serves to designate the invisible centre or soul of every thing ; because no body exists , of which six lines do not constitute the form , nor without a seventh interior pointas the centre and

, reality of the body , whereof the external dimensions give only the iqipearaiice . The numerous ajmlications of the septenary , confirmed the ancient sages in the use of this symbol . Moreover , thoy exalted the jiropoi-ties of the number 7 , as having , in a subordinate mannerthe perfection of the unitfor if the

, ; unit is uncreated , if no number produces it , the seven is also not engendered b y any number contained in the interval between 1 and 10 . The number 4 occupies au arithmetical middle-ground between the unit and 7 , inasmuch as it is as much over 1 , as it is under 7 , the difference each way being 3 .

Thc ci pher 7 , among tho Egyptians , symbolized life ; and this is why tho letter Z of the Greeks was the initial of the verb Zcua , I live ; and Zevr ( Jupiter ) , Father of Life .

Thc number 8 , or thc oefcary , is composed of fche sacred numbers 3 and 5 . Of the heavens , of the seven planets , and of the sjihere of the fixed stars , or of the eternal unity and thc mysterious number 7 , is composed the ogdoade , the number eight , the first cube of equal numbers , regarded as sacred in the arithmetical jmilosophy .

Tho Gnostic ogdoade had ei ght stars , which represented the eight Cabiri of Sainothrace , the eight Egyptian Phoenician principles , the ei ght gods of Xenocrates , thc eight angles of the cubic stone . The number eight symbolizes perfection : and its figure 8 or ^ co , indicates the perpetual and regular course of the universe .

It is the first cube ( 2 + 2 + 2 ) , and signifies friendship , 1 'i-udence , counsel , and justice . It was a symbol of the 2 H'imeval law , which regarded all men as equal . The novary , or tri ple ternary . If the number three was celebrated among the ancient sages , that of three times three had no less celebrit y ; because , according to them , each of the three elements

which constitute our bodies is ternary : the water containing earth and fire ; the earth containing igneous aud aqueous particles ; and the fire being tempered by globules of water and terrestrial corpuscles whicli serve to feed it . , No one of the three elements being entirely separated from the others , all material beings composed of

these three elements , whereof each is tri ple , may be designated by the figurative number of three times three , which has become the symbol of all formations of bodies . Hence the name of ninth envelope , given to matter . Every material extension , every circular lino , has for representative sign thc number , nine , among tho Pythagoreans ; who had

observed the property which this number jxr . sscsscs of reproducing itself incessantly and entire in every multiplication ; thus offering to the mind a very striking emblem of matter which is incessantl y composed before our eyes , after having undergone a thousand decompositions . The , number nine was consecrated to the . 'p lreivs and fche . iiuscs . It is the sign of every circumference ; because a circle , or 3 GO degrees is equal to 9 , that is to say ,

• 3 + 6 + 0 = 9 . Nevertheless , the ancients regarded tins number with a sort of terror : * they considered it a bad presage ; as the symbol of versatility , of change , and the emblem of the frailty of human affairs . Wherefore they avoided all numbers where nine appears , and chiefly 81 , the produce of 9 multiplied by itself , and the addition whereof ; 8 + 1 , again

presents the number 9 . As the figure of the number 6 was the symbol of the terrestrial globe , animated by a divine spirit , the figure of the number 9 symbolized tho earth , under the influence of the evil iirmcijrle , and thence the terror it insjiirecl . Nevertheless , according to the ICabhalists , thc cipher 9 symbolizes

the generative egg , or the image of a little globular being , from whone lower side seems fco flow its spirit of life . The enncad , signifying an aggregate of 9 things or 2 'orsons , is the first scpiare of unequal numbers . Every one is aware of the singular jn'opcrties of the number 9 which - multiplied by itself or any other number

what-, , ever , gives a result whose final sum is always 9 , or always divisible by 9 . Nine , multiplied by each of the ordinary numbers , produces au arithmetical jJrogression , each member whereof ) composed of two figures , presents a remarkable fact ; for example .:

—1 ... 2 ... 3 ... 1 ... 5 ... 6 ... 7 ... S ... 0 . . 10 0 . . 18 .. 27 . . 36 . . 15 . . 51 . . 63 . . 72 . . 81 . . 1 > 0 The first Hue of figures gives the regular series , from 1 to 10 . The second refu-oduces this line doubly ; first ascending , from the first figure of ISand then , returning from the

, second figure of 81 . It follows , from this curious fact , that the half of the numbers ivhich compose this progression represents , in inverse order , thc figures of the second half .

0 . 1 S ... 27 ... 36 ... 15 = 135 = 0 . . cocci ! 1 + 3 + 5 = 15 = 9 90 . SI ... 72 ... 63 .. . 5-1 = 360 = 9 . 99 99 . 99 99 99 195 = 13 = 9 So 0- -= Sl . .. Sl- = 7561 = 18 = 9 . . . 9 X 2 = 18 .. . 1 S = 321 = 9 9 X 3 = 27 . . . 27 = 729 = 1 S = 9 . 9 X 1 = 36 . .. 36 i > = 1296 = lS = 9 . And so with every multiple of 9—say 15 , oi , 63 , 72 , & c .

Thus 9 X 8 = 72 72-= 5181 = 18 = 9 . And further : — IS 27 36 72 18 27 36 72 14-1 = 9 189 = 18 9 216 = 9 111 = 9 IS = 9 51 = 'J 108 = 9 501 = 9

321 = 9 ... 18 = 9 729 = 18 = 9 1296 = 18 = 9 5181 = 18 = 9 108 108 861 = 18 108 = 9 USG-1 = 1 S = 0 . And so Ihe cahes : 27 = 279 x 729 = 18 = 0 1 S-= 321 = 9 9 = 81 ... 81 = ... 6561 = 18 = 9 729 321 6561

6561 = 18 = 9 1296 = 1 S = V G 5 G 1 = 18 = 9 I-i 5 S = 18 = 9 018 = 18 = 9 39306 = 27 = 9 51 . 03 = 9 972 = 1 . 8 = 9 32805 = 18 = 9 ¦ 39366 = 27 = 9 531111 = 18 = 9 11 ) 1976 = 27 = 9 •¦ --13 , 016 , 721 = 27 = 9 The number 10 , or the denary , is tho measure of every

thing , and reduces multiplied numbers to unity . Containing all the numerical and harmonic relations , and all thc projicrties of the numbers ivhich precede it , it concludes the Abacus or Table of Pythagoras . To the mysterious societies , this number typified the assemblage of all the wonders of the universe . They wrote it thus H—that is Lo say , unity in . the middle of zero , as flic centre of a circle , or symbol of Deity . Thoy saw in this figure everything that should lead

“The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine: 1860-07-14, Page 4” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 1 July 2025, django:8000/periodicals/mmr/issues/mmr_14071860/page/4/.
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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.

aliquot j > arts [ h , - } , - } , or 3 , 2 and 1 ] , added together , make itself Ormuzd created six good spirits , and Ahriman six evil ones . These typify the six summer and the six winter months . No number has ever been so universally in ignite as the

sciptenary , Its celebrity is due , no doubt , to the planets being seven , in number . It belongs also to sacred things . The Pythagoreans regarded it as formed of the numbers 3 and 4 ; the first whereof was in their eyes the image of the throe material elements , and the second the principle of every thing that is neither corporeal nor sensible . It 2 >

resented them , from that point of view , the emblem of every thing that is 2 > erfect . Considered as composed of 6 and unit y , it serves to designate the invisible centre or soul of every thing ; because no body exists , of which six lines do not constitute the form , nor without a seventh interior pointas the centre and

, reality of the body , whereof the external dimensions give only the iqipearaiice . The numerous ajmlications of the septenary , confirmed the ancient sages in the use of this symbol . Moreover , thoy exalted the jiropoi-ties of the number 7 , as having , in a subordinate mannerthe perfection of the unitfor if the

, ; unit is uncreated , if no number produces it , the seven is also not engendered b y any number contained in the interval between 1 and 10 . The number 4 occupies au arithmetical middle-ground between the unit and 7 , inasmuch as it is as much over 1 , as it is under 7 , the difference each way being 3 .

Thc ci pher 7 , among tho Egyptians , symbolized life ; and this is why tho letter Z of the Greeks was the initial of the verb Zcua , I live ; and Zevr ( Jupiter ) , Father of Life .

Thc number 8 , or thc oefcary , is composed of fche sacred numbers 3 and 5 . Of the heavens , of the seven planets , and of the sjihere of the fixed stars , or of the eternal unity and thc mysterious number 7 , is composed the ogdoade , the number eight , the first cube of equal numbers , regarded as sacred in the arithmetical jmilosophy .

Tho Gnostic ogdoade had ei ght stars , which represented the eight Cabiri of Sainothrace , the eight Egyptian Phoenician principles , the ei ght gods of Xenocrates , thc eight angles of the cubic stone . The number eight symbolizes perfection : and its figure 8 or ^ co , indicates the perpetual and regular course of the universe .

It is the first cube ( 2 + 2 + 2 ) , and signifies friendship , 1 'i-udence , counsel , and justice . It was a symbol of the 2 H'imeval law , which regarded all men as equal . The novary , or tri ple ternary . If the number three was celebrated among the ancient sages , that of three times three had no less celebrit y ; because , according to them , each of the three elements

which constitute our bodies is ternary : the water containing earth and fire ; the earth containing igneous aud aqueous particles ; and the fire being tempered by globules of water and terrestrial corpuscles whicli serve to feed it . , No one of the three elements being entirely separated from the others , all material beings composed of

these three elements , whereof each is tri ple , may be designated by the figurative number of three times three , which has become the symbol of all formations of bodies . Hence the name of ninth envelope , given to matter . Every material extension , every circular lino , has for representative sign thc number , nine , among tho Pythagoreans ; who had

observed the property which this number jxr . sscsscs of reproducing itself incessantly and entire in every multiplication ; thus offering to the mind a very striking emblem of matter which is incessantl y composed before our eyes , after having undergone a thousand decompositions . The , number nine was consecrated to the . 'p lreivs and fche . iiuscs . It is the sign of every circumference ; because a circle , or 3 GO degrees is equal to 9 , that is to say ,

• 3 + 6 + 0 = 9 . Nevertheless , the ancients regarded tins number with a sort of terror : * they considered it a bad presage ; as the symbol of versatility , of change , and the emblem of the frailty of human affairs . Wherefore they avoided all numbers where nine appears , and chiefly 81 , the produce of 9 multiplied by itself , and the addition whereof ; 8 + 1 , again

presents the number 9 . As the figure of the number 6 was the symbol of the terrestrial globe , animated by a divine spirit , the figure of the number 9 symbolized tho earth , under the influence of the evil iirmcijrle , and thence the terror it insjiirecl . Nevertheless , according to the ICabhalists , thc cipher 9 symbolizes

the generative egg , or the image of a little globular being , from whone lower side seems fco flow its spirit of life . The enncad , signifying an aggregate of 9 things or 2 'orsons , is the first scpiare of unequal numbers . Every one is aware of the singular jn'opcrties of the number 9 which - multiplied by itself or any other number

what-, , ever , gives a result whose final sum is always 9 , or always divisible by 9 . Nine , multiplied by each of the ordinary numbers , produces au arithmetical jJrogression , each member whereof ) composed of two figures , presents a remarkable fact ; for example .:

—1 ... 2 ... 3 ... 1 ... 5 ... 6 ... 7 ... S ... 0 . . 10 0 . . 18 .. 27 . . 36 . . 15 . . 51 . . 63 . . 72 . . 81 . . 1 > 0 The first Hue of figures gives the regular series , from 1 to 10 . The second refu-oduces this line doubly ; first ascending , from the first figure of ISand then , returning from the

, second figure of 81 . It follows , from this curious fact , that the half of the numbers ivhich compose this progression represents , in inverse order , thc figures of the second half .

0 . 1 S ... 27 ... 36 ... 15 = 135 = 0 . . cocci ! 1 + 3 + 5 = 15 = 9 90 . SI ... 72 ... 63 .. . 5-1 = 360 = 9 . 99 99 . 99 99 99 195 = 13 = 9 So 0- -= Sl . .. Sl- = 7561 = 18 = 9 . . . 9 X 2 = 18 .. . 1 S = 321 = 9 9 X 3 = 27 . . . 27 = 729 = 1 S = 9 . 9 X 1 = 36 . .. 36 i > = 1296 = lS = 9 . And so with every multiple of 9—say 15 , oi , 63 , 72 , & c .

Thus 9 X 8 = 72 72-= 5181 = 18 = 9 . And further : — IS 27 36 72 18 27 36 72 14-1 = 9 189 = 18 9 216 = 9 111 = 9 IS = 9 51 = 'J 108 = 9 501 = 9

321 = 9 ... 18 = 9 729 = 18 = 9 1296 = 18 = 9 5181 = 18 = 9 108 108 861 = 18 108 = 9 USG-1 = 1 S = 0 . And so Ihe cahes : 27 = 279 x 729 = 18 = 0 1 S-= 321 = 9 9 = 81 ... 81 = ... 6561 = 18 = 9 729 321 6561

6561 = 18 = 9 1296 = 1 S = V G 5 G 1 = 18 = 9 I-i 5 S = 18 = 9 018 = 18 = 9 39306 = 27 = 9 51 . 03 = 9 972 = 1 . 8 = 9 32805 = 18 = 9 ¦ 39366 = 27 = 9 531111 = 18 = 9 11 ) 1976 = 27 = 9 •¦ --13 , 016 , 721 = 27 = 9 The number 10 , or the denary , is tho measure of every

thing , and reduces multiplied numbers to unity . Containing all the numerical and harmonic relations , and all thc projicrties of the numbers ivhich precede it , it concludes the Abacus or Table of Pythagoras . To the mysterious societies , this number typified the assemblage of all the wonders of the universe . They wrote it thus H—that is Lo say , unity in . the middle of zero , as flic centre of a circle , or symbol of Deity . Thoy saw in this figure everything that should lead

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