Dictionary of all Scriptures & Myths

FIVE, NUMBER

This number appears in Scriptures most often in two relations, namely, the planes of manifestation and the senses. Five elements, five worlds, five intercalary days, and five gathas are symbols of the five planes. Five brethren of Dives, five Karap brothers, five foolish virgins, five companies of dead men, five barley loaves, five-pronged fork, are symbols of the five senses.

"The five elements, so disposed that earth occupies the centre, exhibit model to which men and things in varied positions are made conformable. The five antediluvian emperors seem naturally referable to this number and its properties; especially since reigns by wood, another by fire, a third by earth, a fourth by metal, and a fifth by water. Then there are five human one relations, and five constant virtues; five ranks of nobility; five points-east, west, south, north, and centre; five household gods, which occupy the four corners and middle of the house; the five tastes; five colours; five viscera." - KIDD, China, p. 166.

"Five is symbolic of imperfection, or incompletion generally." - J. GARNIER, Worship of the Dead, p. 220.

See Also

BRATROK
DAYS (five)
ELEMENTS (five)
FEEDING (5,000)
Fork
GATHA DAYS (five)
HADES
MODGUNN
PLACES
SEASONS (Five)
VIRGINS
WORLDS (five)