Medieval Number Symbolism: Its Sources, Meaning, and Influence on Thought and Expression

by Vincent Foster Hopper

For Dante and other people in the Middle Ages, numbers had a different set of connotations than they do for moderns. The symbolism of numbers was both widespread and profoundly ingrained in the culture. In this classic study, a noted scholar reveals “how deeply rooted in medieval thought was the consciousness of numbers, not as mathematical tools, nor yet as the counters in a game, but as fundamental realities, alive with memories and eloquent with meaning.”
For example, the number three — linked to the Trinity — was of special significance, and “endowed every repetition of the number three with a richness of meaning which can be but dimly grasped by the modern reader.” Numbers derived from constellations, planets, stellar revolutions, and other astronomical phenomena were also thought to have divine associations. These and many other aspects of the topic are illuminated here. In the first three chapters, the author examines the three main sources of number symbolism; basic, elementary symbols derived from man’s struggles to count and identify such natural groupings as fingers and toes; the ancient Babylonian science of astrology; and Pythagorean number theory, which fixed the relationship of the numbers to one another. The fourth and fifth chapters deal with the Gnostics’ elaborate combination of these elements, and the adoption and elaboration of number philosophy by the early Church Fathers. The last two sections examine medieval number philosophy and Dante’s use of number symbolism, particularly in The Divine Comedy.
Of special interest to medievalists, numerologists, and students of literature, this volume will also fascinate anyone interested in symbology or cultural aspects of the Middle Ages.

Genres: Medieval, Mathematics, Nonfiction, History, Numerology

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1969

Reviews

[William Schrecengost · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. A history of Pythagorean numerology up to Dante. It has a brief discussion of numbers from an elementary and astrological perspective then moved into Pythagorean numerology and it’s development through Jewish commentators, the gnostics, and early church fathers, culminating in the Medievals and a final chapter on Dante’s use of numerology in his writings.
I found the whole fascinating. It’s definitely helpful to understand where the early church was basing so much of their numerological theories. I’m currently reading Irenaeus’ Against Heresies and this has helped me make sense of some of the gnostic theories in it. It is unfortunate that our church fathers were so steeped in Pythagorean numerology when doing their exegesis. It mislead them often and it would’ve been great if they had developed a biblical numerology at that time rather than adopting Pythagorean numerology.

[Tobias Lansberry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good overall, and incredibly useful for my current study.

My main criticism would be the disjointedness of the final chapters: The main body of the text is about 210 pages, which makes up 7 chapters and an appendix.

The first 5 chapters are just under 90 pages - they traverse a brief history of number symbolism from the beginning of recorded history through early Christianity, with a particular focus on ANE, Babylon, and the Pythagorean traditions - all of which had the biggest influence on medieval works when it comes to number Symbolism. This section by itself is worth reading even if you don't read the rest of the book.

The 6th chapter takes all this information and brings it together to break down the medieval era of number philosophy. This chapter by itself is about 45 pages. This makes sense: This is the title thesis of the book. I think this chapter could have been broken up (at least with some sub headings or something) but it's still readable in one sitting.

Finally, the 7th chapter goes from a general view to highly specific: Dante's use of number symbolism in the Divine Comedy. For 75 pages - almost as long as the first 5 chapters combined, with no dividers or subsections to break it up. Honestly, this chapter should have been a separate book - but it had some good nuggets in there even though I haven't read the Comedy.

If you're interested in general number symbolism, you can probably get away with just reading the first 5 chapters of this book. If you don't care about Dante, you can probably skip the last chapter. Don't miss the appendix though - it's a fun little bonus on northern pagan number Symbolism.

Pull quote:
"Strictly speaking, number symbolism belongs more to metaphysics than to trope or allegory. It is the language of Eternal Verities; not of concrete realities. As such, it has little part in the poetic aim of "intensification and clarification of experience," unless the poet writes for the limited audience of those who "well understand." Unlike the more objective medieval symbols (the Pelican = Christ), the abstraction of number was itself shrouded in mystery, to which only a complete metaphysical erudition could provide the key."

[AC · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars simply because I was hoping for more in-depth analysis on influence post- middle ages, and because I personally am not a Dante scholar, though I suspect someone who is would find greater value in that chapter. Many sources to pursue, and many gems of insight within nonetheless.

[Shahin Azad · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is good academic book, but it discusses most the cultural history of numbers than the numbers itself.

[Rana · Rating 2 out of 5]

biased towards the number 7

[Harry · Rating 4 out of 5]

the first chapters of the book are really excellent showing some cultural significance of many numbers which we take for granted, as well as how number developed as a concept in cultural consciousness. it has helped a huge amount influencing how I read medieval literature.
the book begins to drag on towards the halfway point but still contains nuggets you will remember much later.