The history behind the phenomenon known as angel numbers is a long and winding path, with connections that can be difficult to make out, but its roots are based on numerology. Numerology is a study of numbers based on the belief that these numbers can guide us or inform us about the future. Like many other esoteric studies, the study of angel numbers is based on encounters that aren’t easily tracked or measured.
Despite our inability to corroborate its efficacy, many people study numerology to understand themselves and others better and as guidance when making decisions. Most of our current ideas about numerology come from the Pythagorean school of numerology, known at the time as arithmancy, devised by Pythagoras sometime around 500 BC.
Pythagoras was fascinated by the mathematical synchronicity of the world, noting patterns that others missed. Numbers had shapes, triangular, square, and oblong, as well as genders. Odd numbers were said to be male, while even numbers were female. According to Pythagorean numerology, everything is based on numbers. Each number, particularly the numbers one through nine, has its own specific associations and meanings. Although his ideas about numbers were largely abandoned after his death for quite some time, spiritualists picked them up again in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. They evolved their understanding of numerology, assigning numbers not only to colors and concepts but also to people and their everyday experiences.
A Modern Notion
While the concept of numerology has been around for quite a while, the term “angel numbers” is more contemporary. The phrase has been employed to describe specific numbers, especially repeated or sequential numbers, since the 1990s. In 2005, a woman named Doreen Virtue increased awareness of the idea with her books, Healing with Angels and Angel Numbers: The Angels Explain the Meaning of “111,” “444,” and Other Numbers in Your Life.
Any number that pops up multiple times could be considered an angel number. Combinations of repeating or consecutive numbers are some of the most common configurations for angel numbers. These meanings help us to decipher what the associated angel number might mean. The most commonly reported angel numbers are sequences of either three or four of the same digit, such as 111 or 5555.
111 or 1111
In Pythagorean numerology, the number one was associated with unity and the origin of all things. It was symbolized by a single dot at the center of a circle, known as a monad. Seeing this number repeated in a sequence of three or four may signify new beginnings and the planting of seeds. It might also indicate that now is a good time to take healthy risks and look for new opportunities.
222 or 2222
Where the number one symbolized unity, the number two, the duad, symbolized duality. It was said to be both ignorance and the mother of wisdom, as wisdom springs from ignorance. Individuals who are picking up on sequences involving the number two could be interpreted in a few different ways. According to modern interpretations, it can indicate an upcoming partnership, a need to find balance, or may be an indication to trust in yourself more.
333 or 3333
The triad, or the number three, was considered sacred by the Pythagoreans. It was symbolized by the triangle and associated with temperance, justice, creativity, and friendship. As an angel number, the repeated three conveys the need to focus on creativity and self-expression. If you suddenly notice either triple or quadruple threes, this may also be a good time to collaborate with others and think outside the box.
444 or 4444
The number four was called the tetrad by Pythagoras and his followers and was considered the root of all things. Four represented strength, emerging order, and guardianship of nature. The shape of the square, with its four lines and four corners, naturally symbolized the number four. An angel number made up of fours is said to be a reminder that angels are nearby, either to support you through a loss or to celebrate a win.
555 or 5555
The pentad was the name given to the number five, the union of an even number, two, and an odd number, three. The Greeks saw the five-pointed pentagram as a symbol of light, vitality, and ether, which they believed was a fifth element that transcended the first four elements and gave stars and planets their permanence. Repeating fives or angel numbers involving fives are said to herald a coming change or indicate that you are on the right path despite a difficult transformation.
666 or 6666
The Pythagoreans considered the number six, or hexad, a perfect number. It represented health, time, and the harmony of the soul. It was also associated with marriage as it was represented symbolically as the union of two triangles. Encountering repeated sixes indicates a need for a steady and nurturing energy in the observer’s life. It’s said to be a message sent to encourage the recipient to slow down and seek harmony or to let go of things that are bringing them disharmony.
777 or 7777
The heptad, seven, was associated with the Christian concept of seven Archangels, as mentioned in the Book of Enoch. It represented religion and the law, and its symbol was the cube. Individuals who see triple or quadruple sevens may take it as a sign to generally lean into their spirituality, look at a specific situation from a more spiritual point of view, or trust their instincts.
888 or 8888
The number eight was known as the ogdoad and was often associated with the concept of paradise and eternity. Sightings of multiple eights in a row are said to be indicative of assistance and abundance. This is often in the realm of financial abundance but may manifest as abundance in other areas of life, such as romance, friendships, or health.
999 or 9999
As the final single-digit number, nine, also known as the ennead, falls just short of the perfection of the number ten. The Pythagoreans, therefore, associated it with failure and shortcomings. The theory of angel numbers softens this a bit, indicating that repeating nines may indicate not to give up as you are nearing the completion of a long-term project, or it may signify that something in your life is coming to its natural end.
Other Numbers of Note
However, repeated numerals aren’t the only sequences that can be considered angel numbers. Numbers in sequential order may be able to guide you, as well. For instance, seeing 123 or 1234 frequently might remind you to focus on the road ahead and pay attention to the details. Sequences of pairs of numbers are often considered to be significant as well.
It’s important to note that the meanings behind these numerical messages can vary from person to person. For instance, a warning might show up as sightings of the number 911 for an individual from the US but as 112 for a person from the UK. Number sequences with personal meaning, such as birthdays or anniversaries, may also pop up as angel numbers. The meaning of these numbers will differ for each person and often depend significantly on their personal experiences.
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