According to historical symbolism, the number 2 and, more broadly, all even numbers were considered female.
Understanding Number Symbolism
In various ancient philosophical and mathematical traditions, numbers held significant symbolic meanings beyond their quantitative value. These symbols often represented fundamental principles of the universe and human existence.
Based on the provided reference:
- The number 2 was symbolic of the female principle.
- All even numbers were female.
This perspective contrasts directly with the symbolism assigned to odd numbers:
- The number 3 was symbolic of the male principle.
- All odd numbers were male.
The Harmony of Numbers
This symbolic system also described how these fundamental principles interacted:
- They come together in 2 + 3 = 5 as marriage, representing the union of female and male principles.
- The number 4 represented justice.
- The most perfect number was 10, because 10 = 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 (the sum of the first four numbers, representing the point, line, plane, and solid, or the fundamental building blocks of the universe).
Summary of Key Symbolism
| Number Category | Symbolism | Example Number(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Even Numbers | Female | 2, 4, 6, 8, ... |
| Odd Numbers | Male | 3, 5, 7, 9, ... |
| Specific Numbers | Meaning | Number |
| Female Principle | 2 | |
| Male Principle | 3 | |
| Marriage | 5 (2+3) | |
| Justice | 4 | |
| Perfect Number | 10 (1+2+3+4) |
Understanding this symbolism provides insight into how numbers were perceived as representing dualities and harmonies in these ancient systems.
