Dictionary of all Scriptures & Myths

Understanding Biblical Symbolism


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TWELVE, NUMBER

A complete number in relation to conditions of the manifest. The twelve divisions of the cycle of life (Zodiac, Tuat, etc.) correspond to soul-states (twelve tribes) and soul-qualities (twelve disciples). The sets of twelve are all interrelated.

"This number (of the twelve disciples) is typified by many things in the Old Testament; by the 12 sons of Jacob, by the 12 princes of the children of Israel; by the 12 running springs in Helim; by the 12 stones in Aaron's breastplate; by the 12 loaves of the shew-bread; by the 12 spies sent by Moses; by the 12 stones of which the altar was made; by the 12 stones taken out of Jordan; by the 12 oxen which bare the brazen sea. Also in the New Testament, by the 12 stars in the bride's crown, by the 12 foundations of Jersualem which John saw, and her 12 gates." - BP. RABANUS Manrus (a.d. 857).

"The number Twelve divisiblest of all, which could be halved, quartered, parted into three, into six, the most remarkable number-this was enough to determine the Signs of the Zodiac, the number of Odin's Sons, and innumerable other Twelves. Any vague rumour of number had a tendency to settle itself into Twelve." - T. CARLYLE, The Hero as Divinity, Lect. I.

"And when Jesus was twelve years old, they went up (to Jerusalem) after the custom of the feast." - LUKE ii. 42.

This The accomplishment of the age of twelve years signifies a full period of evolution when an initiation was undergone by the Christ-soul. took place in the inner mind (temple) and corresponded to an awakening of the logical and intuition sides of the soul. These are the father-mother principle, indicated by the presence of the parents.

"Twelve is symbolic of spiritual perfection and completion. It is 4+ 8, or the world and man renewed. It is also 4 x 3, or the world and man in intimate union with God, and it is 6 x 2, symbolic of Christ taking upon him the sin of man, and becoming subject to death for the sake of man's redemption." - J. GARNIER, Worship of the Dead, p. 221.

 

See Also

ADAMAS (Higher)
ADITYAS
AEONS (Twelve)
BREASTPLATE
CROWN TYPHON (twelve)
DISCIPLES (Twelve)
HEROES
INITIATIONS
MEASURE
NIDANAS
SAVIOURS (Twelve)
SHEW-BREAD
TRIBES (twelve)
TUAT
URDAR
YEAR
ZODIAC