Number
Eight
By XanthosGriffin
I found this lost in my enormous
files and folders. Data on the number 8.
I have no idea why I saved
it, but that's not unusual. I have saved so much for
further reading over my time on the internet! If I remember
why the heck I saved this I'll return and add it here.
Properties of the number
8
Symbolism
Number of the perfection, the infinity. In mathematics
the symbol of the infinity is represented by a 8 laid
down.
Symbol of the cosmic Christ.
Number figuring the immutable
eternity or the self-destruction. It represents also
the final point of the manifestation.
In China, the 8 expresses
the totality of the universe.
Number of the balance and
of the cosmic order, according to the Egyptians.
Number expressing the matter,
it is also the symbol of the incarnation in the matter
which becomes itself creative and autonomous, governing
its own laws.
The number eight corresponds
to the New Testament, according to Ambroise.
It is the symbol of the new
Life, the final Resurrection and the anticipated Resurrection
that is the baptism.
According to Clement of
Alexandria, the Christ places under the sign of 8 the
one he made to be born again.
Represent the totality and
the coherence of the creation in evolution. In China,
it expresses the totality of the universe.
Represent the earth, not
in its surface but in its volume, since 8 is the first
cubic number.
The Pythagoreans have made
the number 8 the symbol of the love and the friendship,
the prudence and the thinking and they have called it
the Great "Tetrachtys".
In Babylon, in Egypt and
in Arabia, it was the number of the duplication devoted
to the sun, from where the solar disc is decorated of
a cross with eight arms.
The number 8 means the multiplicity,
for the Japanese.
A favorable number, associated
to the prosperity.
It is the number of the restful
day, after the 7th day of the creation.
Bible
The eight beatitudes of the sermon on the mountain.
(Mt 5,3-11)
The eight sentences of the
Magnificat or Hymn of Mary. (Lk 1,46-56)
Jesus was circumcised eight
days after his birth, according to the law established.
(Lv 12,3; Gn 17,12 and 21,4; Lk 2,21)
The eight steps of the staircase
leading to the external square of the Ezekiel's temple.
(Ezk 40,26)
The eight creative words
of God in six days, in Genesis chapter 1, verses 3,
6, 9, 11, 14, 20, 24, 26.
The eight persons who were
saved from the Flood in Noah's Ark. (Gn 7,13)
General
Saint Joseph endured during eight years various great
sufferings before to die, according to visions of Mary
Agreda.
The Cabalists affirm that
there were in the Temple of Jerusalem eight gates from
which the eighth gate would open only for the Messiah.
Eight is the total number
of Chakras of the man, counting the seven in correlation
with the physical body, plus an additional working in
the etheric body. This eighth Chakra is known as being
"the Chakra of the Soul" or "the Star
Chakra". It would
be located approximately 7 to 10 centimeters above of
the Crown Chakra.
The eight great gods of the
Vedas: Surya, Candra, Agni, Yama, Varuna, Indra, Vâyu
and Kubera.
The eight "trigrams"
of "Fou-Hi" Chinese philosopher.
Plato remained with his
master the Greek philosopher Socrates during eight years.
The eight parts of the way
which leads to the nirvana, according to the Buddhist
doctrines: the faith, the right judgement, the right
language, a right and pure action, a right profession,
the application of the spirit to all the precepts of
the law, the right memory and the right meditation.
The Buddhists count eight
symbols of long life of which one of them is the infinite
node being rolled up and withdrawn on itself.
There are eight degrees of
Buddhist monks or "Aryas" and the highest
is named "Arhat".
According to a Buddhist legend,
Buddha's ashes was separated in eight parts.
The lotus is represented
symbolically with 8 petals and according to yogis, it
is on a lotus with 8 petals that the "Mêru"
mount is erected which, symbolically, represents the
center and the axis of the world.
The Yoga counts eight training
courses: Yama, the restriction; Niyama, religious observances;
Asana, the posture; Pranayama, the control of the breathing;
Praty-ahara, the restriction of senses; Dharana, the
concentration; Dhyana, the contemplation and Samadhi,
the ecstasy.
The Avesta mentions eight
categories of priest: a superior, the Zaotar, which
recites the texts, and seven subordinates: the Havanan
which crushes the Homa in the mortar, the Atarevakhsha
which maintains the fire, the fraberetar being in charge
of the instruments for the Sacrifice, the Aberet carrying
the holy water, the Acnatar that washes the sacred vases,
the Raethwiskar that purifies the soiled men and objects,
and the Craoshavereza or confessor.
In the religion of Zarathustra,
there were eight instruments used for the cult: the
Atashdan, reservoir for fire; the Havana or mortar;
the Barecma, or beam of sacred palms; the Tali, tray
of the offerings; the Tasta or cup of gold; the strainer
with nine holes for the Homa; the Avand, vase for purifications;
the Musrhabe, wash-hand basin for the priest.
The eight categories of priests
of Zarathustra.
For the Indians, there are
the eight modes of marriage mentioned by Manou: mode
of Brahma, Devas, Rishis, Pradjapatis, Asouras, Ghandarvas,
Rakchasas and Pisatchas.
The eight disciples of Thot,
in Egypt.
According to Herodotus,
the reign of gods in Egypt would have started with a
first group of eight gods to the head of which was Pan.
For the Greeks, the number
8 was dedicated to Dionysus, born the eighth month of
the year.
The eight divisions of the
sky of the Greek tradition.
The eight Rules of command
of the "Chou-King".
The eight ministers of the
Chinese Empire.
The eight pillars of the
"Ming-Tang".
The eight forms of Shiva,
sometimes illustrated by 8 "lingams" laid
out around a central "lingam".
The eight arms of Vishnu.
The eight divinities guardians
of the Tibet.
The eight "Selecti"
gods of the Romans.
The eight gods of Xenocrate.
The eight legs of the Sheipner
horse, the gray horse of Odin.
The eight animals which accompany
the Mahometan believers in the paradise.
The Great Year of 25920 years
is divided into eight great terrestrial cycles that
are called Age: Golden age, Age of money, Age of bronze
and Age of iron, and each is repeated twice.
Creusot points out that
the prayer of saint Francis of Assisi on the peace contains
eight requests to the Lord:
Lord, make me an instrument of peace.
Where is the hatred, let me put love.
Where is the offense, let me put forgiveness.
Where is the discord, let me put union.
Where is the error, let me put truth.
Where is the doubt, let me put faith.
Where is the despair, let me put hope.
Where are darkness, let me put light.
Where is the sadness, let me put the joy.
The Tower of Belus in Babylon
is made of eight square towers.
An octagonal building in
Hiroshima contains the statues of eight great wise man
of the world: the Buddha, Confucius, Socrates, Jesus,
the prince Shotoku, Kobo Daishi and two Japanese priests.
The number eight governs
the life of the man: at 8 month the baby teeth appear;
at 8 years, he loses them; at 2 x 8 years, it is the
puberty; and he becomes impotent at 8 x 8 years.
