The Number Eight-Prosperity and Perfection
Numerology: The meaning behind the number eight
Have you ever looked at the number eight and realized that it is the symbol of infinity? Today, looking at the number of hubs I have to write in order to reach my goal of 100, I began to connect the dots of a number thread: I was eight hubs short of making the 30 in the April Hubchallenge. I had eight more hubs to write to reach my goal. My deadline is May 8th, 2011. The Dharma bell rang out-eight times to be exact; I had my next hub idea.
I have always had a strong connection both with the number eight and nine. I’m not sure why but, it has nothing to do with my birthday, which is a five. For some reason I have always felt eight was a ‘lucky’ number for me and I would be happy whenever it came up.
Here are a few things about the number eight that make it special:
Lucky Number 8
What does the number eight symbolize in: Math and Science
Math: An octagon is a polygon with eight sides. It is also a power of two. Place that figure eight on its side and it is the symbol for infinity. What does an eight comprise of-two perfect circles.
Chemistry: Breathe deeply, and relax . Oxygen is the eighth element in our periodic table. Oxygen, that wonderful, odorless element we fill our lungs with every moment that we are alive is actually pale blue in color. Without it our lives end-it is that simple. Both Carl Wilhelm Scheele of Uppsala, Sweden, in 1773 and Joseph Priestly, of Wiltshire, England in 1774 are recognized for independently discovering oxygen. However, it is Priestly who is credited for bringing the information to the public because his work was published first.
Astronomy: Neptune is our eighth planet in our solar system. Named after the Roman god of the sea, it is our fourth largest planet in diameter and third by mass. Neptune was discovered in the mid 19th century and has 13 moons in its orbit.
Life Science: Spiders, scorpions and other arachnids have eight legs.
What Chinese culture thinks about the number 8:
The Chinese culture considers the number 8 a lucky number that is representative of prosperity.
In fact, in the 2008 Olympic Games hosted in China, the starting date and time was: 08/08/08 at 08:08/08 p.m.
Octomom: Nadya Suleman, ‘Octomom’, gave birth to octuplets January 2009.
The significance of the number eight in religious circles
Hanukkah is the Jewish holiday celebrated for eight days and eight nights through the lighting of the menorah. Brit milah, ( the covenant of circumcision), is performed by a mohel -someone trained in circumcision eight days following birth. While there are other religions and cultural traditions that circumcise males at birth or adolescence, it is the tradition of Jewish law.
Christians view the number eight as a symbol of the cosmic Christ. Divinity is represented as the number one; soul is represented as the number three; the body is represented as the number four; and the sum of all equals the number eight. It is considered a new beginning, resurrection. God rested on the 7th day of creation and on the 8th day a new week began. Eight people were saved from the floods that covered the world-Noah being the 8th one. There are eight Beatitudes that were given on the Sermon on the Mount according to the Gospel of St. Matthew.
Buddhists follow the Eight Fold Path as a way to end suffering. This is represented by the eight spokes of the Wheel of the Law, the DharmaChakra. The eight virtues are: Right View; Right Intention; Right Speech; Right Action; Right Livelihood; Right Effort; Right Mindfulness; Right Concentration.
Durga, one of the many deities of Hinduism, is depicted at times with eight arms. They are representations of health, education, welfare, organization, unity, fame, courage and truth. She is the Mother Goddess and is often seen riding a lion. Durga’s purpose is to destroy man’s egoic traits such as selfishness and hatred.
The Eighth Chakra: The Seat of the Soul
The word chakra is Sanskrit for ‘wheel’ and it refers to the wheels of conscious energy that is within the body and above the head. The number of chakras is debatable. By all mainstream standards there are seven chakras. Some sources say there are up to 12 chakras. However, other sources feel that there are only eight chakras and number eight is the ‘seat of the soul’, located above the heart chakra. Opening the chakras through meditation, chanting, yoga and body work, is useful for physical and emotional health.
How the number 8 affects: Law and Marriage
Law: In Judaism and Christianity God’s laws are spelled out in the Ten Commandments as given to Moses. The eighth commandment is ‘you shall not bear false witness against your neighbor’. It forbids lying, misrepresenting, or denying the truth about another.
The United States Bill of Rights Eighth Amendment forbids the government of excessive bail, fines, or cruel and unusual punishment.
Marriage: The late Elizabeth Taylor was married eight times.
The traditional gift for the eighth anniversary of marriage is: bronze or pottery. The modern gift is: linen or lace.
Game and movie titles with the number 8
Recreationally, the card game: Crazy Eights and billiards, which uses a black ‘eight’ ball, come to my mind. The saying, “behind the eight ball” refers to someone who has insurmountable obstacles that block him; or a person so far behind schedule she will never catch up.
Movies with the number eight highlighted include:
1. 8 Crazy Nights
2. Butterfield Eight
3. 8 Mile
4. 8 Seconds
5. Eight Below
6. Eight Men Out
7. Hard Eight
8. 8 Women