The Number 7

The Number 7

In Freemasonry, the number 7 holds significant symbolism and is often associated with various aspects of the fraternity. As an ancient and revered number, it is used throughout Freemasonry to convey different meanings and concepts. Here are a few key points regarding the importance of the number 7 in Freemasonry:

Seven Liberal Arts and Sciences: Freemasons place great emphasis on education and the pursuit of knowledge. The seven liberal arts and sciences, which include grammar, rhetoric, logic, arithmetic, geometry, music, and astronomy, are considered the foundation of a well-rounded education for a Mason.

Seven Officers in a Lodge: In a Masonic Lodge, there are typically seven principal officers, each with a specific role and responsibility. These officers are the Worshipful Master, Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Treasurer, Secretary, Senior Deacon, and Junior Deacon.

Seven Steps on the Winding Staircase: In the Fellowcraft degree, the second degree of Freemasonry, the initiate is introduced to the symbolic Winding Staircase. This staircase consists of three, five, and seven steps, representing the three stages of Masonic education: Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason. The seven steps symbolise the journey through the seven liberal arts and sciences.

The Seventh Day: According to Biblical tradition, God created the world in six days and rested on the seventh. This concept of the seventh day as a day of rest and contemplation is highly regarded in Freemasonry.

Seven Ancient Wonders of the World: Freemasons value the wisdom and achievements of the ancient world.

The seven ancient wonders serve as a testament to the skills and ingenuity of those who came before.

1. The Great Pyramid of Giza: Located in Egypt, the Great Pyramid was built during the reign of Pharaoh Khufu (2589-2566 BCE). It is the oldest and only surviving wonder of the ancient world. The pyramid was originally 146.6 metres tall and served as a tomb for the pharaoh.
2. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon: Believed to have been constructed by King Nebuchadnezzar II (605-562 BCE) in ancient Babylon, which is present-day Iraq. The gardens were a series of terraces filled with plants and trees, irrigated by an advanced water system. Their existence is still debated, as no archaeological evidence has been found to confirm their location.
3. The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus: Built around 550 BCE in present-day Turkey, the Temple of Artemis was dedicated to the Greek goddess Artemis. It was a large marble temple adorned with sculptures and columns. It was destroyed and rebuilt several times before finally being destroyed by a mob in 401 CE.
4. The Statue of Zeus at Olympia: This massive statue was created by the Greek sculptor Phidias around 435 BCE in Olympia, Greece. The statue depicted Zeus, the king of the Greek gods, seated on a throne. It was approximately 12 metres tall and made of gold and ivory. The statue was destroyed during the 5th century CE, likely due to fire or natural disasters.
5. The Mausoleum at Halicarnassus: Built between 353 and 350 BCE in present-day Bodrum, Turkey, the Mausoleum was an elaborate tomb for King Mausolus of Caria and his wife, Artemisia. The structure was approximately 45 metres tall and adorned with sculptures created by renowned Greek artists. It was destroyed by a series of earthquakes in the 12th to 15th centuries CE.
6. The Colossus of Rhodes: This giant statue of the Greek god Helios was erected on the island of Rhodes in 280 BCE. It was approximately 33 metres tall and made of bronze plates over an iron framework. The statue stood at the entrance to the harbour of Rhodes, but was destroyed by an earthquake in 226 BCE.
7. The Lighthouse of Alexandria: Also known as the Pharos of Alexandria, this lighthouse was built between 280 and 247 BCE on the island of Pharos in Alexandria, Egypt. It was estimated to be between 110 and 130 metres tall and was one of the tallest structures in the ancient world. The lighthouse was severely damaged by a series of earthquakes between the 10th and 14th centuries CE and eventually collapsed

These Seven Wonders of the Ancient World represent the creativity, innovation, and ambition of ancient civilisations. While most of these wonders no longer exist, they continue to inspire awe and fascination in the modern world.

Seven Planets: In ancient times, seven celestial bodies (the Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn) were known as the "seven planets." These celestial bodies were believed to exert a significant influence on human life, and their study was an important aspect of astronomy, one of the seven liberal arts and sciences.

The Number 7 as a Symbol of Perfection: In various cultures and traditions, the number 7 has been regarded as a symbol of perfection, completeness, and spirituality. This symbolism is also reflected in Freemasonry, as the number 7 is considered to represent the union of the spiritual (3) and the material (4), thus symbolising harmony and balance.

The Recurring Number 7

The 7 Days of Creation

The story of creation in the Book of Genesis, the first book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament, outlines the process of creation in seven days. Here is the order of the seven days of creation and what was created on each day:

1. Day One: God created light, separating it from darkness. He called the light "day" and the darkness "night."
2. Day Two: God created the firmament (the sky or the heavens) to separate the waters above from the waters below.
3. Day Three: God gathered the waters below the firmament, allowing dry land to appear. He called the dry land "earth" and the gathered waters "seas." On the same day, God also created vegetation, including plants and trees, each containing seeds to reproduce after their own kind.
4. Day Four: God created the celestial bodies to serve as markers for days, seasons, and years. He created the Sun to govern the day, the Moon to govern the night, and the stars to adorn the sky.
5. Day Five: God created the creatures that inhabit the water and the birds that fly in the sky. He blessed them, commanding them to be fruitful and multiply.
6. Day Six: God created the land animals, each according to its own kind. On the same day, He also created human beings in His image, both male and female. God granted humans dominion over all other creatures on earth and instructed them to be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth. He also provided all vegetation as food for humans and animals alike.
7. Day Seven: After completing the creation, God rested on the seventh day, blessing it and making it holy.

Further Biblical Examples

The number 7 is a significant and recurring number in the Bible, often symbolising completeness, perfection, and divine fulfilment. Apart from the seven days of creation, the number 7 appears in many other contexts throughout both the Old and New Testaments. Here are some notable examples:

Noah's Ark: In Genesis 7, God instructed Noah to bring seven pairs of every kind of clean animal and one pair of every kind of unclean animal into the ark to save them from the Great Flood.

The Seven Years of Famine and Seven Years of Plenty: In Genesis 41, Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dreams, predicting seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine in Egypt. Joseph's wise management during the years of plenty saves Egypt from devastation during the famine.

The Seven-Lamp Menorah: In Exodus 25, God commands Moses to build a seven-branched lampstand, known as the menorah, for the Tabernacle. This symbolises God's presence and the divine light that illuminates the path of the Israelites.

The Sabbatical Year: In Leviticus 25, God instructs the Israelites to observe a sabbatical year every seventh year, during which they must let the land rest and not cultivate it. This practice demonstrates the importance of rest, sustainability, and God's provision.

The Year of Jubilee: In Leviticus 25, God also establishes the Year of Jubilee, which is to be observed every 50 years, or after seven sets of seven years. During the Year of Jubilee, all debts are to be forgiven, slaves set free, and ancestral lands returned to their original owners.

The Walls of Jericho: In Joshua 6, the Israelites are instructed to march around the walls of Jericho once a day for six days, and then seven times on the seventh day. After the seventh march on the seventh day, the walls collapse, allowing the Israelites to conquer the city.

The Seven Seals, Trumpets, and Bowls: In the Book of Revelation, the number 7 features prominently in the apocalyptic visions of John. There are seven seals that are opened, seven trumpets that are sounded, and seven bowls of God's wrath that are poured out, each heralding a series of divine judgements and events.

The Seven Spirits of God: In the Book of Revelation (e.g., Revelation 1:4; 4:5), the Apostle John refers to the "seven spirits of God" which are before the throne of God. This is often interpreted as a representation of the Holy Spirit in His fullness and perfection.

Samson's Seven Locks of Hair: In Judges 16, Samson, a Nazirite with incredible strength, has seven locks of hair. His strength is tied to his hair, which symbolises his commitment to God. When his hair is cut by Delilah, he loses his strength and is captured by the Philistines. However, after his hair grows back, Samson regains his strength and destroys the temple of the Philistine god Dagon, along with many Philistines.

The Seven Pillars of Wisdom: In Proverbs 9:1, wisdom is personified as a woman who has built her house upon seven pillars. This metaphor emphasises the completeness and perfection of wisdom.

The Seven Deacons: In Acts 6, the early Christian church chooses seven men, including Stephen and Philip, to be deacons responsible for overseeing the daily distribution of food and resources to those in need. This demonstrates the importance of unity and order in the early Christian community.

The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant: In Matthew 18:21-22, Jesus is asked by Peter how many times one should forgive someone who has wronged them. Jesus replies, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times," emphasising the importance of limitless forgiveness and mercy.

The Seven Demons Cast Out of Mary Magdalene: In Luke 8:2 and Mark 16:9, it is mentioned that Jesus cast out seven demons from Mary Magdalene, who then becomes one of His most devoted followers. This event symbolises spiritual transformation, deliverance, and the power of Jesus over evil.

The 7 Days of The Week and Their Planets

The seven-day week has its origins in ancient Mesopotamia and was later adopted by the Romans. The idea of the seven-day week was influenced by the lunar cycle, which is approximately 29.5 days long. This cycle was divided into four weeks of seven days each, with the remaining days considered intercalary days.

The association of the days of the week with the seven classical planets – the Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn – has its origins in the astrological traditions of the ancient Hellenistic period. This system was later adopted and developed by the Romans, who named the days of the week after their gods, which were also associated with the classical planets.

Here is the correspondence between the days of the week and the planetary attributions:

1. Sunday: Named after the Sun (Latin: Sol), Sunday is associated with the Roman god of the Sun, Sol Invictus, or Helios in Greek mythology. The day is called "Sunday" in English, as it is derived from the Old English "Sunnandæg," which means "day of the Sun."
2. Monday: Named after the Moon (Latin: Luna), Monday is linked with the Roman goddess of the Moon, Luna, or Selene in Greek mythology. The day is called "Monday" in English, as it is derived from the Old English "Mōnandæg," meaning "day of the Moon."
3. Tuesday: Named after Mars (Latin: Mars), Tuesday is associated with the Roman god of war, Mars, or Ares in Greek mythology. The day is called "Tuesday" in English, as it is derived from the Old English "Tīwesdæg," which means "day of Tīw" or "Tiw's day." Tiw, or Týr in Norse mythology, is a god of war and the sky, equated with Mars.
4. Wednesday: Named after Mercury (Latin: Mercurius), Wednesday is linked with the Roman god of commerce, communication, and travellers, Mercury, or Hermes in Greek mythology. The day is called "Wednesday" in English, as it is derived from the Old English "Wōdnesdæg," meaning "day of Woden" or "Woden's day." Woden, or Odin in Norse mythology, is a god associated with wisdom, knowledge, and war, equated with Mercury.
5. Thursday: Named after Jupiter (Latin: Iuppiter), Thursday is associated with the Roman king of the gods, Jupiter, or Zeus in Greek mythology. The day is called "Thursday" in English, as it is derived from the Old English "Þūnresdæg," which means "day of Þunor" or "Thor's day." Þunor, or Thor in Norse mythology, is a god of thunder and strength, equated with Jupiter.
6. Friday: Named after Venus (Latin: Venus), Friday is linked with the Roman goddess of love, beauty, and fertility, Venus, or Aphrodite in Greek mythology. The day is called "Friday" in English, as it is derived from the Old English "Frīgedæg," meaning "day of Frīge" or "Frigg's day." Frīge, or Frigg in Norse mythology, is a goddess of love, marriage, and fertility, equated with Venus.
7. Saturday: Named after Saturn (Latin: Saturnus), Saturday is associated with the Roman god of agriculture, time, and wealth, Saturn, or Cronus in Greek mythology. The day is called "Saturday" in English, as it is derived from the Old English "Sæternesdæg," which means "day of Saturn."

The seven-day week with its planetary attributions spread throughout the Roman Empire and became deeply ingrained in Western culture. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the system was further adopted and adapted by various European societies. The names of the days of the week in many modern languages still reflect these ancient planetary associations and the corresponding gods from various mythologies.

For example, in Romance languages such as Spanish, Italian, and French, the names of the days of the week are derived from the Latin names for the seven classical planets. In Germanic languages such as English, German, and Dutch, the names of the days of the week are derived from the Germanic gods that were equated with the corresponding Roman deities.

7s in Hinduism

In Hinduism, the number 7 holds significant spiritual and symbolic value, as it appears in various contexts throughout Hindu mythology, beliefs, and traditions. Here are some instances where the number 7 is associated with Hinduism:

Sapta Rishis (Seven Sages): Hinduism recognises the Sapta Rishis, or the Seven Sages, who are considered to be the mind-born sons of Brahma, the creator god. They are believed to have been the first to receive divine knowledge and are responsible for passing down the sacred Vedic wisdom to humankind. The Sapta Rishis vary in different texts, but some of the most common ones are Atri, Bharadwaja, Gautama, Kashyapa, Vasishtha, Vishwamitra, and Jamadagni.

Sapta Matrikas (Seven Mother Goddesses): The Sapta Matrikas are a group of seven powerful mother goddesses, often depicted alongside the god Shiva. They are Brahmani (associated with Brahma), Vaishnavi (associated with Vishnu), Maheshvari (associated with Shiva), Indrani (associated with Indra), Kaumari (associated with Kartikeya), Varahi (associated with Varaha), and Chamunda (associated with Devi).

Sapta Chiranjeevis (Seven Immortals): In Hindu mythology, there are seven immortal beings, known as the Sapta Chiranjeevis. They are Ashwatthama, King Mahabali, Sage Vyasa, Lord Hanuman, Vibhishana, Kripacharya, and Parashurama. These beings are said to live on earth until the end of the current cosmic cycle (Kali Yuga) and possess unique knowledge, abilities, or divine blessings.

Sapta Lokas (Seven Realms): Hindu cosmology describes the universe as having a hierarchical structure of seven realms or planes of existence. These are Bhu Loka (Earth), Bhuvar Loka (Atmosphere), Swar Loka (Heaven), Mahar Loka (the abode of great sages), Jana Loka (the abode of enlightened beings), Tapa Loka (the abode of ascetics), and Satya Loka (the abode of Brahma and eternal truth).

Sapta Sindhu (Seven Rivers): In the Rigveda, an ancient Hindu scripture, the land of the Aryas is described as the Sapta Sindhu, or the region of the seven rivers. These rivers, which are considered sacred, include the Indus, Saraswati, and five other rivers that currently flow through modern-day India and Pakistan.

Seven Chakras: In Hinduism and other Indian traditions, the human body is believed to have seven major energy centres, known as chakras. These are the Muladhara (root chakra), Svadhishthana (sacral chakra), Manipura (solar plexus chakra), Anahata (heart chakra), Vishuddha (throat chakra), Ajna (third-eye chakra), and Sahasrara (crown chakra). Balancing and activating these chakras are considered essential for spiritual growth and well-being.