12 - a mysterious number across western and oriental cultures?
First Happy the Year of Rat(Lunar New Year)! It’s January 25th this year, the date varies every year usually between late January till mid February because it’s following the Lunar calendar instead of the Solar one we use every day. While I am not talking about Chinese traditional culture here today(maybe in the future:)
My focus here is “Why 12? Why not 10, 11 or 13, 15?”
Easily found how significant position 12 as a number is holding across western and eastern cultures and systems from long time ago. After 1hour Google assisted research, I found two potential reasons:
- Mathematically: 12 is divisible by first four numerals 1,2,3,&4.
- Religiously: It means totality and completeness in the Bible.
Chinese Zodiac Animals: 12
Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat/Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig.
“It is the number of completeness and can be found 187 places in the Holy Bible.”
1 year has 12 months
A clock shows 12 hours
1 Foot is 12 Inches
1 Dozen has 12 items
So if you stay intellectually curious and keep asking “WHY” questions to all the things around you, you WILL find some great joy from your intellectual exploration:)
Stay as a LLL — Life Long Learner!
References I found thru my research:
