The Sumerian tablets, which date back to around 3000 BCE, are among the earliest written records of human civilization. These clay tablets, written in cuneiform, cover a wide range of subjects, including commerce, legal codes, astronomy, mathematics, and mythology. While the Sumerians didn’t practice numerology in the modern sense, their mathematical and cosmological systems laid the foundation for later numerological thought, especially through their focus on numbers, measurement, and cosmic order.
Here are the key aspects of what the Sumerian tablets reveal about their understanding of numbers and how it might relate to the broader idea of numerology or a cosmic code:
1. Base-60 System (Sexagesimal System)
- The Sumerians developed a sophisticated mathematical system based on the number 60. This sexagesimal system is still used today in the division of time (60 seconds in a minute, 60 minutes in an hour) and the measurement of angles (360 degrees in a circle).
- This emphasis on the number 60 (and multiples of it) suggests that the Sumerians assigned great importance to certain numbers and their relationships, which can be seen as an early form of numerical significance or sacred geometry.
- Numerological Implication: While not directly numerology, the reverence for the number 60 and its divisibility reflects the belief that numbers could encode a deeper structure of the world, a concept echoed in later numerological traditions.
2. Numbers in Cosmology and Mythology
- The Sumerians applied numbers to the cosmos in their creation myths and religious beliefs. Numbers played a symbolic role in structuring their world.
- For instance, the seven planetary deities (the Sun, Moon, and five visible planets) were central to Sumerian cosmology. The number 7 has significance in many ancient cultures and is a cornerstone of numerology.
- The Sumerians believed in a pantheon of gods organized into hierarchical structures, often tied to numbers. For example, Anu (the sky god) was associated with the number 60, and Enlil (the god of air) with the number 50. These assignments suggest a mystical relationship between the gods and specific numbers, which can be seen as proto-numerological thinking.
3. Mathematics and Divination
- The Sumerians used numbers for divination, particularly in the context of astronomy and astrology. They tracked celestial movements, and their use of mathematical predictions to interpret the will of the gods can be seen as an early form of seeking meaning through numbers.
- The Sumerians believed that the gods communicated their will through the stars, and numbers were used to track the heavenly bodies’ cycles, such as the lunar month or the movement of planets. These cycles were often interpreted as messages from the gods, which is conceptually similar to the idea of numerology as interpreting messages from the universe through numbers.
4. Measurement Systems and Sacred Geometry
- The Sumerians developed systems of measurement, using standard units of length, area, and volume. They built their cities, temples, and ziggurats according to precise measurements, often connected to astronomical cycles.
- They also used numbers in architecture to reflect cosmic order, an approach that aligns with sacred geometry—a key element of numerology where certain geometric shapes and proportions, often derived from numbers, are believed to reflect a divine structure in the universe.
- For example, 360 degrees in a circle, a key aspect of Sumerian geometry, is tied to their sexagesimal system and reflects the belief in the cyclical nature of time and the cosmos, a concept that resonates with numerological themes of cycles and harmony.
5. Symbolic Numbers
- Several numbers held specific importance in Sumerian religion and mythology. These numbers later found their way into other ancient cultures and numerological systems:
- 7: As mentioned earlier, the number 7 was associated with the seven planetary deities, reflecting its importance in cosmic and divine order. This number continues to hold mystical significance in many cultures and is a central figure in numerology.
- 12: The Sumerians divided the sky into 12 sections, which would later form the basis for the zodiac. The number 12 is often associated with completeness or cosmic order in numerology.
- 60: As the base of their number system, 60 was a number of great significance, reflecting their mathematical and cosmic framework. The multiple divisibility of 60 made it a key number in Sumerian thought.
6. Ziggurats and Numerology
- The ziggurats, large temple towers built by the Sumerians, often followed precise mathematical proportions, suggesting a belief in numbers’ role in connecting the earthly and divine realms.
- The number of steps, levels, or divisions within the structure often corresponded to astronomical or cosmological numbers, such as 7, representing the heavens and the Earth. This sacred architecture, with its numerical symbolism, can be viewed as an early expression of numerology or belief in numbers as keys to understanding the universe.
7. Legacy of Sumerian Numerology
- While the Sumerians didn’t explicitly practice numerology as later cultures would, their influence on Babylonian, Egyptian, Greek, and eventually Western numerological thought is significant. Their mathematical system and their reverence for certain numbers, especially in cosmological contexts, laid the groundwork for later interpretations of numbers as carriers of mystical meaning.
- For instance, the Babylonian system of astrology built directly on Sumerian astronomy and mathematics, and it later influenced numerological systems such as the Pythagorean tradition.
Summary of Key Concepts from Sumerian Numerology-Like Practices:
- Numbers as Cosmic Codes: The Sumerians saw numbers as integral to the structure of the cosmos, reflecting divine and celestial order.
- Mathematics and Divination: Numbers were used in tracking celestial cycles and divination, hinting at an early form of using numbers to interpret cosmic messages.
- Symbolic Numbers: Numbers like 7, 12, and 60 had symbolic importance, which can be viewed as an early precursor to the mystical meanings given to numbers in numerology.
- Sacred Architecture: The use of numbers in ziggurats and city planning reflected a belief that numerical harmony could create a bridge between the human and divine worlds.
While the Sumerians didn’t have a formal system of numerology, their use of numbers to understand the cosmos, track celestial bodies, and build their temples suggests that they viewed numbers as deeply significant, laying the groundwork for later mystical interpretations of numbers in numerology.
