Aldo: by Laurel
333956 | 
 | | Purred: Tue Dec 5, '06 7:42am PST |  | |  | | Tue, 5 Dec.
Dear Sasha and Zoe,
Thank you for the website. I will refer to it a little later in this post. When I looked up symbolism of the number 8, I only got its meaning as symbols of the Buddha.
The following is from KhandroNet re Tibetan Buddhism number symbolism.
There are 8 Bodhisattvas (Deities), 8 Auspicious Symbols (they stand for the Presence of the Buddha), 8 Worldly Dharmas (influences that challenge equanimity), and 8 Chariots of Tibetan Buddhas (instructional images).
The 8 auspicious symbols are actual objects--gifts bestowed on Shakyamuni by celestial beings at his attainment of the Enlightenment of Buddhahood
There are also 8 Magnificent Offerings:
Figuring in the mandala offering in which the whole world is visualized, they are thought of as pertaining to Mount Sumeru. Each is associated with a direction. To the East lies the Precious Wheel, to the South is the Precious Jewel, to the West is the Precious Queen, and to the North is the Precious Minister. In the SE is the Precious Elephant, in the SW is the Precious Horse, in the NW is the Precious General, and to the NE lies the Great Treasure Pot [or jar.]
The 8 Common Abilities/powers [resulting from mastery of Vajrayana techniques]: The sword, the pill, the eye lotion, swift feet, extraction of essences, celestial realm, invisibility and treasures of the earth.
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From Encyclopaedia Britannica
The number 8 is generally considered to be an auspicious number by numerologists. The square of any odd number, less one, is always a multiple of 8 (for example, 9 - 1 = 8, 25 - 1 = 8 ´ 3, 49 - 1 = 8 ´ 6), a fact that can be proved mathematically. In Babylonian myth there were seven spheres plus an eighth realm, the fixed stars, where the gods lived. As a result, 8 is often associated with paradise. Muslims believe that there are seven hells but eight paradises, signifying God's mercy. In Buddhism 8 is a lucky number, possibly because of the eight petals of the lotus, a plant associated with luck in India and a favourite Buddhist symbol.
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From Byzant.com:
The octagram or eight-pointed star is a symbol of fullness and regeneration. Through its links with the great eight-fold systems of East and West--the trigrams of the I Ching and the pagan wheel of the year--the octagram gains its connotations of wholeness, rebirth and cyclical infinity. The octagram's association with infinity is further strengthened by the lemniscate, the symbol for infinity, taking the form of a figure eight on its side, and through its links to the eight primal deities of ancient Egypt, the Ogdoad.
The octagram's associated polygon, the octagon, is intermediate between square and circle, confirming the sense of spiritual regeneration. Thus many baptisteries and fonts are octagonal, though twelve sided figures are sometimes used as twelve is linked to totality.
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Now, from your link, Sasha, Halexandria, there are many interesting things. Remember that the ghatti may ascend eight spirals? When we met Khar in Finders Seekers, she was stuck on the third spiral, but did at last ascend to the fourth and, now, in Exiles' Return, she is on the fifth spiral. Let me post 1 through 8 here, additionally giving 9, 11 and 22. Think of their meanings and relate them to the spirals. Note also that 10 is not included here.
*1* represents aspects of creation and self--genesis, original, creation, beginning, new, self-determination, will power, independence, initiative, decisions, leadership, command, courage, pioneer, daring, and the male principle.
*2* represents aspects of gestation and union--loved ones before self, maternal, sympathy, patience, understanding, sensitivity, receptivity, tact, diplomacy, cooperation, union, partnership, rest, peace, and the female principle.
*3* represents aspects of self-expression--self-expression, self-projection, social ambition, conversation, writing, communication, facility with words, grace, charm, performer, beauty, flirtation, romance, artistic, and entertainer.
*4* represents aspects of self-discipline--practicality, physical work, endurance, concentration, budgeting, order, form, construction, routine, systematic, industrious, conventionality, reliability, home, patriotism, and ecology.
*5* represents aspects of re-creation and is the apex for change in the cycle -- change, adaptability, resourcefulness, variety, versatility, risk, adventure, travel, surprises, curiosity, recreation, sensual and sexual appetites, new opportunities, speculation, promotion, physical and mental freedom.
*6* represents social consciousness--responsibility to others, adjustments, family, harmony, healing, counseling, teaching, education, truth, justice, domestic, reliability, tenacity, conservative, conscientiousness, and social balance.
*7* represents intellectual and spiritual development--wisdom, knowledge of self, mind, intellect, philosophy, metaphysics, mystery, secrecy, solitude, study, research, science, writing, faith, specialization, refinement, pride, acquisition by attraction, dignity, bridging worlds, and observation.
*8* represents material accomplishment--money, material freedom, business, high finance, control, power, success, achievement, recognition, profit, executive ability, management, authority, fairness, and responsibility.
*9* represents selflessness and universal awareness--fulfillment, completion, universality, understanding, tolerance, compassion, impersonal, generosity, forgiveness, just, humanitarian, universal truths, and benevolence.
*11* represents impractical idealism--visionary, refinement of ideals, intuition, revelation, artistic and inventive genius, avant-garde, androgynous, film, fame, refinement, and fulfilled only when working with a practical partner.
*22* represents practical idealism--practical genius, creator of the future, power on all levels, master of the material, philanthropy, universality, international direction, and service to mankind.
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Interesting, no?
More later! My head is spinning now from all this number talk!
Purrs and Meiows,
Aldo
Purrs and Chirps,
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