Number Combinations of 2 & 6 in Antiquity
Number Combinations of 2 & 6 in Antiquity. Number square understanding spread across the landscape of antiquity. Number squares were used in Asia. Africa, Europe and Far East. This usage was universal. Its application was similar regardless of location. This is why this particular website is called “Reviving Antiquity:” Antiquity can be revived by their re-employment.
An immediate question you might have is: Why does my featured picture use the 5 x 5 and 8 x 8 number squares? The answer is: In their number combinations they prominently use combinations of 2 and 6.
- On the 5 x 5 number square any two opposite numbers equal 26. Examples are 11 + 15 = 26. Or, 18 + 8 = 26. Therefore, 26 is called the “characteristic number”.
- The 8 x 8 number square is its cousin. Any straight row or diagonal of 8 numbers totals 260. Ancients saw this number as another manifestation of 26. “Zero” was considered a synthetic number. This is because the basic first nine numbers are all found the seed of all number squares- the 3 x 3.
How the Chinese I Ching uses 2 and 6 in number combinations.
The basic unit of the Zhou yi is the hexagram (卦 guà), a figure composed of six stacked horizontal lines (爻 yáo). Each line is either broken or unbroken. That gives rise to an example of “Two” and the “six”: That is, two are the broken and unbroken lines. Six are the hexagrams.
Just for reference, below is an internal link about the amazing 3 x 3 number square.
Cosmic Numerical Canoe Crosses Boundaries
