Symbolism of numbers

Just as things: shelter, clothing, food - in addition to its primary function to meet vital human needs, are immersed additional significant content and the number besides the main counting functions have also added symbolic value. That’s why, the number - it is one of the universal organizing principles by which nature is being developed and created the culture itself.

The number "1"

Foto: D. Tsydipov

The number "1" - the beginning of a series of numbers, expresses the concept of "all", the one, whole, indivisible. The root word - "one" concept derived from it - one, the only, connection, association, - one God, one universe, one sun, the moon, clan, tribe - that is, that is not divided and is understood as a whole.

The number "2"

Foto: D. Tsydipov

The number "2" expresses various steam semantic concepts in binary oppositions: black - white, good - bad, up - down, life - death, good - evil, forward - backward, etc. At the same time, a lot of positive pairs. Two celestial luminaries - the Sun and the Moon. Each person has two of the most honored and loved ones – father and mother.

There are a lot of double names, place names: Tsydenov-Yeshi, Badma Handa, Ulan-Ude, and other. Double word decorates speech.

The Hori say: "One child is not a child." Therefore, at weddings they say good wishes: We wish two children, both boys and girls.

The number "3"

Foto: D. Tsydipov

The number "3" - is one of the sacred numbers in many nations, as in the material and spiritual culture, it is a sign of the Earth.

The number "three" - a symbol of happiness and joy, for it is the basis of all development. All restricted or defined by three, because the beginning, middle, end contains the number of all, and it contains the number "three".

The number "4"

Foto: D. Tsydipov

The number "4" corresponds to the symbol of unity and integrity of creation. Since it involves the horizontal development of the surrounding area - there are four points of the compass: north - south, east - west, the four seasons - winter, spring, summer, autumn, four elements: air, water, fire, earth, and 4 limbs in animals, humans .

In ancient times, Hori custom "sahimzha" provided offering nominal meat four directions. This fact indicates that the Hori has long respected the East-West, South-North and bowed before them.

The number "5"

Foto: D. Tsydipov

The number "5" manifests itself in the historical, cultural and sacred - magical contexts. According to color symbolism food is divided into five groups: white, red, yellow, green and black. Hori have5 species of animals bred: cows, horses, sheep, goats and camels. Animals and humans have five senses: sight, smell, touch, hearing, taste. The world is composed of five basic elements: wood, iron (metal), fire, earth, water.

The number "6"

Foto Z. Dorzhiev

Six in a figurative sense, means the universe: heaven, earth and the 4 corners of the earth, that closes the man from all sides.

The number "6" is a symbol of all living creatures, including humans. There are 6 species of living beings, hell and ban under the ground, animals and people on the ground, asuras and celestials in heaven.

The number "7"

Foto: P. Budaev

In the folklore of all tribes Hori often featured seven figure: - "7 Elders", "Seventy languages​​." To enhance the significance of the number 7 is often replaced by the number 70 or 77. Seventy-seven layers has a "Mother Earth."

In uliger Hori Buryats "Hүheldүүr Mergen" refers to the wedding custom of "9 varieties of food and 7 kinds of struggle" Our informant R. Erdeni explained what are the 7 types of control exist between the parties to the bride and groom: "1 - the fight for the bride, and 2 - the fight for the cushion, 3 - battle for the sun, 4 - battle for the blade, and 5 - the struggle for sahimzha 6 - the fight for the door, 7 - witty debate. "In this case, seven magical acts in the ancient wedding ceremony is aimed at strengthening the prosperity.

The number "8"

Foto: D. Tsydipov

Hori have developed over the allocation of the eight cardinal directions - north, northeast, northwest, east, west, south, south-west, south-east. Therefore, the sun spreads its light on all sides of the world, an imaginary eight-pointed.

Number 8 controls the human life: up to 8 years of a child is considered to be a god; 2 times 8 comes the maturity of a man 8 times 8 old age comes

The number "9"

The sun and moon are considered by Hori the creators of both people and animals. B. Rinchen, said: "The people of Mongolian, whose father - a golden moon, whose mother - a golden sun. Sun - an ancient totem of the Mongols, who considered themselves the people of the sun and the moon "(B.Rinchen, 1958, 72).

The number “nine” in Mongolian peoples including Hori is a sacred number. "In the historical period we find sulde 9, 9 species of white food, presented as a sign of acceptance of citizenship" (Tsybikov, 57). "Number 9 was of symbolic value. The great banner of Genghis Khan consisted of 9 parts, the main white - was in the center "(Olyadykova, 120).

The number "nine" in a non-mathematical, and the symbolic meaning embodied in ritual objects. For example, the Hori Buryats isolated 9 species of white food: 3 liquid (milk, ayrag, Taragay), 3 soft (cream, butter, salamat), 3 solid (dried curd, cheese, foams).

The number "10"

Foto: P. Budaev

“Ten” means something comprehensive, law, order, authority. It is no accident with the number "ten" linked the concept of "Arban Han" in Buddhism. These "Ten sahyuusanov" (defenders) protect people from all sorts of misfortunes. This is a tantric deity – Yamandaga, Mahakala, Gongara (White Mahakala), Shagdar, Sendema, Shalshi, Namsaraya, Tsanba, Lhamo.

The numbers above 10

Foto: P. Budaev

Some historical sources say that at the Hori-Buryat were 13 births, two were in Mongolia, so talking about 11 genera Horinsk drilled. Also it is mentioned Sagansabskie petroglyphs 13 swans.

The number "40" is a symbol of maturity. Popular wisdom says, "Four dogs cannot drive, cannot be forty years of teaching." Previously, daughter, do not have voting rights, reaching the age of forty, became full hostesses. Previously not allowed to drink alcohol, a person has not reached forty years.