- Paperback: 336 pages
- Publisher: Oxford University Press; Reprint edition (April 1 1994)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0195089197
- ISBN-13: 978-0195089196
- Product Dimensions: 21 x 14.3 x 2.1 cm
- Shipping Weight: 458 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
#112,887 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #25 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > New Age > Divination > Numerology
- #60 in Books > History > Historical Study > History of Ideas
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Details |
Product Description
From School Library Journal
YA-- This is not a math book, but rather a journey through time and cultures that focuses on the place of numbers in various human systems. As such, it is entertaining, enlightening, and may even be somewhat unsettling to those who have always dismissed mysticism and numerology as bogus. Shimmel has translated and added to Franz Carl Endres's book of the same name, broadening the scope of the German original. Her introduction, which stands by itself, is a clear, concise, and interesting survey of the history of numbers and their importance to many societies. She covers everything from the origins of our Arabic numbers to modern superstitions and number games, stopping off to explore the Gnostics, mysticism, and Islam. The author continues with a detailed description of the various meanings and symbolism associated with each individual number up to 40, and then includes assorted descriptions from 42-10,000. Each of these chapters is fascinating and includes much detail taken from religion, mythology, daily life, and scientific observation. The book is profusely illustrated with drawings, woodcuts, and designs, and there is an exhaustive bibliography in addition to an excellent index.
- Susan H. Woodcock, Potomac Library, Woodbridge, VA
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
- Susan H. Woodcock, Potomac Library, Woodbridge, VA
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
"An impressive, intriguing, most scholarly history."--The Key Reporter, (Phi Beta Kappa)
"A delightful cross-cultural romp through the history of number mysticism....By the time you finish this entertaining yet scholarly book, you'll not only be in seventh heaven, you'll understand why."--The New York Times Book Review
"A mine of fact, legend, superstition, history and etymology....Well-designed....Great riches in Schimmel's book." --Canberra Times
"A delightful cross-cultural romp through the history of number mysticism....By the time you finish this entertaining yet scholarly book, you'll not only be in seventh heaven, you'll understand why."--The New York Times Book Review
"A mine of fact, legend, superstition, history and etymology....Well-designed....Great riches in Schimmel's book." --Canberra Times
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
First Sentence
This description of the qualities of the mystical One, written by the medieval German mystic Agrippa of Nettesheim around 1500, cannot be considered to be mathematically correct, but it serves to show the importance of the 1 in religious traditions. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index
This description of the qualities of the mystical One, written by the medieval German mystic Agrippa of Nettesheim around 1500, cannot be considered to be mathematically correct, but it serves to show the importance of the 1 in religious traditions. Read the first page
Explore More
Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index
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Most helpful customer reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Mysterious Figures 13,
By "jsiljm" (China) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Mystery of Numbers (Paperback)
There are figures that appear in philosophy, religion, stories, poems and local customs that embody more than their numerical significance, and they are thus referred to as "mysterious" or "magical" figures or formulae. Most of these figures are odd numbers, and a few are the sum or multiples of "mysterious" numbers. For example, the number 13 is considered of special significance by the Han and Tibetan ethnic groups.. THE FIGURE 13 IN CHINA AND THE WEST. ¡¡ In some Western nations the number 13 is regarded as unlucky. In the Netherlands, for example, it is difficult to find a house numbered 13, and in theaters in the United Kingdom and the United States there are no rows or seats numbered 13. When it is necessary to have 13, "2A" is often used as a substitute. People often avoid going out on the 13th of the month and never have 13 people seated for supper. The Tibetans, however, regard the number 13 as holy. According to King Gesar, the world's longest epic, when Gesar was born he held 13 flowers in his hands, walked 13 steps and vowed to become a Buddha at 13. Indeed, when he was 13, he was victorious in a horse race, married and became king of the state of Ling. Also according to King Gesar, Gesar had 13 concubines and 13 Buddhist guardians, and in the state of Ling under his rule there were 13 snowy mountains, 13 mountain ridges, and 13 lakes.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Complex and Intricate Mysteries Unraveled,
This review is from: The Mystery of Numbers (Paperback)
This is a rather odd but very enjoyable book. It begins with a very brief introduction to different number systems and beliefs about numbers, covering the Pythagoreans, gnosticism, the Cabala, Islamic mysticism, medieval numerology and numerical puzzles. The bulk of the book is a kind of encyclopedia of numbers: each of the numbers up to 21 gets its own chapter; after that they are dealt with "en masse". Each chapter is an unordered and unstructured compilation of beliefs about the subject number, mostly drawn from Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Unfortunately, there is no attempt at cross-cultural comparative analysis or at relating beliefs about numbers to other symbolic systems. This book might better serve as a reference rather than a complete read. It is very interesting but might be too much for one reading.
4.0 out of 5 stars
An anthology of mysterious numbers,
By Burak Eldem (Istanbul, Turkey) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Mystery of Numbers (Paperback)
What are the roots of the divine "Trinity" concept or what is the secret meaning of Buddha's 3 bodies? Why was Amon-Ra called "The Lord of 4 directions" or why had the god Shiva 4 arms? What is the significance of number 5 in pentagram? Why the star of Israel had six corners? How come the number 13 is believed to bring bad luck in some traditions while in Mayan culture it is one of the essential numbers? Annemarie Schimmel, a specialist on Eastern philosophies, presents a very interesting and entertaining anthology of mysterious numbers in "The Mystery of Numbers". The book follows a linear path and begins with "Number 1" and passes several "stations" of curious numbers along the way. It also has an introduction that gives a summary about the numbering systems of various cultures. You can either keep it on your bookshelf to consult for some specific numbers from time to time, or you can carry it in your pocket and have your daily fun.
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