Why is the number 7 suposed to represent perfection? (Earth, tradition)

[SonOfNun]

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[doppelgänger]

Originally Posted by SonOfNun

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Good question. Perhaps some ancient myth starts with seven whatevers and the number is given special significance because the myth is important, then later myths are written deliberately with things occurring in sevens to summon the spirit of the earlier inspirational myth. Or it could just be superstition and the connection or meaning is long forgotten, but repeated anyway. Of course, it depends on the tradition, but 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 12 and 13 have all played that role in traditions I've seen, and there are probably others.

[doppelgänger]

I would add that humans seem to be preconditioned to looking for patterns and give particular significance to numerical patterns we perceive.

[Willamena]

Well, the earliest god/goddess myth is that of the moon, and the lunar cycle (the time it takes for the moon to orbit and return to the same place in the sky, against the backdrop of the stars) is 28 days. That could have lent 7 some small significance.

[Willamena]

Astrologically speaking, 7 could represent "perfection" as completion of our "human" or thinking form. The seven planets represent aspects of conscious being, with 7 being the last, Saturn, which brings conscious being into the material world as a mind encased in a limiting physical structure. (And there he rests.)

[mr.guy]

I'm recalling an awsome BIG IDEAS episode with a lecture on musical symmetry and numerical perfection by Stuart Isacoff. I'd totally reccomend it.

Here's a link to the podcast.

[*Paul*]

Because of the six days of the creation and the day of rest that God used to create a perfect heavens and earth i think.

[SonOfNun]

du, I can't believe I didn't think about that. that not only makes sense but I think it can be backed by scripture... thanks

[JayHawes]

Three, Seven, and 12 are numbers specially chosen by God.

3 is an reoccuring figure:
1) The LORD apears as three men to Abraham to speak to him about the problem to come (Genesis 18:2)
2) Noah begat three sons (6:10) who went with him onto the ark, they helped repopulate the world.
3) Jonah was in the fish's belly for three days and three nights (Matthew 12:14).
4) Jesus teaches to baptist in the name of The Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19).

I bring up the number three becuase it has a purpsoe. It seems to be a number representing all that is needed, or required to fulfill a mission.

12 is also a reappearing number:

1) There are 12 tribes of Israel
2) THere are twelve Apostles
3) There are twelve gates to New Jerusalem

12 seems to represent the total number God requores for those who serve him.

The Number Seven arises first in Genesis where God completed his creation in seven days (including his rest), this is the basis for the meaning of the number seven (perfection, becuase God's creation was perfect and without sin. The number seven rises agin when Jesus uses seven loafs of bread and 3 fish to feed a multitude of people. 7 is a number that God can use to bring forth prosperity, i.e. more bread, or the immense number of creatures among this planet (from creation).

*Don't forget the frubals