Numbers hold power. For millennia, humans have imbued numbers with sacred and mystical meanings. Of all the single-digit numbers, six seems to have a particularly rich spiritual symbolism.
But what does the number six represent, spiritually?
The Significance of Numbers in Spirituality
Numerology, the esoteric study of numbers, has existed since ancient times. Pythagoras, the ancient Greek philosopher who lived around 500 BC, is credited as being the originator of numerology in the West.
Pythagoras believed that because mathematical concepts are more abstract than physical objects, numbers represent pure truth. He and his followers ascribed spiritual meanings to numbers.
Ancient Chinese, Hindu, and Hebrew civilizations also used numbers symbolically. Biblical texts contain many references to the mystical power of certain numbers.
Throughout history, numerologists have analyzed the relationships between numbers, letters, ideas, and patterns in search of deeper truths. They believe numbers can reveal hidden aspects of personality and destiny.
Significance Across Cultures
While interpretations vary across cultures, many societies consider certain numbers lucky or significant. Below are some examples:
- In Chinese culture, 6 is lucky since it sounds similar to the word for “flowering”
- In the Bible, 7 represents spiritual perfection or completion
- For Pythagoreans, 10 denoted the perfection of Divine order
Let’s explore why the number six, in particular, holds meaning across faiths and regions.
The Spiritual Meaning of the Number Six
So what does six represent spiritually? There are a few primary symbolic associations claimed by numerologists:
- Harmony
- Balance
- Union of opposites
In tarot, six is the card of the Lovers, representing the quest for harmony between dualities and synthesis of opposing forces. Let’s unpack the meanings behind six in greater depth.
Harmony and Partnership
The number six is linked with harmony, friendship, and partnership. As the first “perfect” number (the sum of its factors equals itself), it represents completeness, balance, and solidarity.
Six is the smallest number that can be evenly divided three ways, creating a harmonious trio. It’s made up of 2 x 3 or 3 x 2, both partnership numbers. This represents the harmony created between dualities or opposites.
Pythagoreans called six the “first perfect number” and associated it with health and beauty. In music, a perfect fifth interval has a 6:4 ratio between frequencies.
Union of Opposites
Six combines 2, representing duality and feminine energy, with 3, representing male energy. This joins and balances yin and yang forces.
Christianity views six as the number of man, created on the sixth day. Humans bear God’s divinity (3) and earthly materiality (2).
In the Jewish faith, the Star of David has a 6-pointed star representing the fusion of Heaven and Earth. The triangle pointing up symbolizes humanity’s aspiration for the Divine, while the downward triangle shows the Divine reaching toward humanity.
The intersection marries dualities like mind and body, male and female, matter and spirit. Six integrates opposing forces into a unified whole.
Six in Ancient Mythology
References to the spiritual meaning of six appear in mythology and folklore as well. In Ancient Greek legend, Aphrodite rose from the sea on the sixth day, representing love’s power to unite opposites.
And in Norse folklore, the god Thor had six magic dwarf helpers representing mastery over the four elements, plus light and dark. This symbolized the balance of forces in nature.
Six-Pointed Stars
The six-pointed star or hexagram is a sacred symbol in Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Taoism and other traditions. Composed of two interlocking triangles, it represents the harmonious union of complementary energies.
The upward-pointing triangle symbolizes aspirational energy, masculine force, or Fire. The downward triangle represents receptive energy, feminine force, or Water. Together they form a cosmic dance of duality.
In Hinduism, the hexagram represents the union of male and female divine energies. It’s linked to the gods Vishnu and Shiva merging with their Shaktis or goddesses.
The six-pointed star magnifies the harmonizing power of the number six. It’s an ancient sign of balance encased within the geometric figure.
Why Six Symbolizes Harmony and Balance
We’ve explored some of the critical symbolic meanings of six, but why is this number specifically associated with harmony and balance?
A few fundamental reasons emerge:
- It’s the first “perfect” number, metaphysically complete
- Its factors (2 x 3) reflect duality and trinity
- It marries feminine and masculine energies
- Its visual representation as a hexagram unites Heaven and Earth
The number six intrinsically represents equilibrium, unity, and the synthesis of opposites into a greater whole. This fundamental symbolic essence has endured throughout the ages, universally representing harmony and balance across cultures.
Six in Nature
Interestingly, the number six manifests in nature in ways that affirm its harmonic properties:
- Snowflakes have 6-fold symmetry, balancing every angle.
- Honeycomb cells are composed of 6 equal sides.
- Most rings of carbon atoms in chemistry have a 6-member ring structure.
Six repeatedly appears in nature’s geometry and systems. This further reinforces its intrinsic connection to balance, equilibrium and structural perfection in the natural world.
Six in Sacred Texts
Another source affirming the significance of six are ancient holy scriptures. Some examples:
- The Bible states God created man on the 6th day.
- The Buddhists’ 6th Paramita epitomizes insight balancing wisdom and compassion.
- The Quran’s 6 articles of belief balance faith and reason.
Spiritual texts reference the properties of six in their structure, reinforcing its meaning. This numerological significance shaped many aspects of theology and worship.
So what insights can we gain from the spiritual meaning of six? While interpretations vary, its universal symbolism suggests:
- Achieving harmony requires embracing opposites
- Wholeness arises from integrating dualities
- Balance underlies health, beauty and natural order
In life, we can apply these lessons by seeking partnerships over conflict, unifying disparate elements, and aiming for moderation over extremes. Just like the six-pointed star, we continuously balance energies within.
The next time you come across the number six, reflect on its deeper meaning. It’s an auspicious sign reminding us of life’s complementary forces and humanity’s search for inner and outer harmony.