close to the actual value of 3.141593), operations with fractions, and simple, cubic,
and quartic equations.
What is numerology?
Numerology is the study of the (supposed) influence numbers have on human affairs. It
is considered an occult art in which numbers are used to reflect the spiritual character-
istics of people. In general, numerologists match numbers (such as birth dates) to let-
ters (such as names), then “predict” things such as a person’s purpose in life, their areas
of talent, and even behavior patterns. Numerology charts use the numbers 1 through 9,
11, and 22. The values from birthdays and names are divided so that they equal one of
these numbers, with each number indicative of something about the person, such as the
Life Path Number, Expression Number, and so on. Although many people use numerolo-
gy to make life plans or decisions in their life—and some people claim it does work for
them—there is no mathematical or scientific basis for numerology claims.
What are examples of “unlucky” and “lucky” numbersin different cultures?
The concept of lucky and unlucky numbers in various cultures abounds. As many peo-
ple agree, it’s actually the “luck of the draw” that determines a lucky or unlucky num-
ber. Some cultures have tried to attach good or bad fortunes to numbers. For example,
in terms of good luck and fortune, the number seven seems very popular in many cul-
tures. It is the holy number, symbolizing God in all forms, and is considered sacred to
many people. The Japanese, for instance, have Seven Gods of Good Fortune; the
Egyptian god Hathor can be seven cows at once; and there are the seven days of cre-
ation in the Bible (actually, the seventh was a day of rest).
On the other hand, the same number can represent something that is “bad.” For
example, many mythological monsters have seven heads; in Native American lore, the
Sioux’s saltwater snake Uncegila could only be killed by a blow to her “seventh spot”;
and the “seven deadly sins”—avarice, envy, gluttony, lust, pride, sloth, and wrath—is a
Western cliché.
One famous unlucky number is 13, which is thought by most Western people to be
bad luck because of the connection between Judas Iscariot, the disciple and betrayer of
Jesus who was the 13th man in the room at the Last Supper. But in other places, such
as Italy and China, 13 is considered lucky. Even ancient civilizations did not shy away
from the number 13. In the Celtic and Native American systems of astrology, there
were 13 lunar months in the year and 13 astrological signs.
What numbershave special significancein various cultures?
There are plenty of numbers that have special significance in various cultures—too
many to mention here. But some common examples can be found around the world. 385