Synchronicity and the Meaning of Numbers (0-12)

Numbers are ancient, meaningful, and powerful.

It was the Pythagoreans in the 6th century BC who were one of the first groups to popularize the idea that numbers are not merely mathematical symbols but actually carry spiritual significance.

As Pythagoras was once quoted to have said, “Number is the ruler of forms and ideas and the cause of gods and daemons.”

Thanks to Pythagoras, we have a system of numerology that ascribes different meanings to numbers.

But numerology is only one side of the coin: numbers have been given special meanings all throughout history, religion, and cultural mythology. From east to west, numbers have carried meaning for millennia.

Numbers and Synchronicity

How many times have you seen repetitive numbers such as 11:11, 777, 222, 1010, 4444, 999, and so forth?

Seeing repetitive numbers is a form of synchronicity – a phenomenon described by psychiatrist Carl Jung as “a meaningful coincidence of two or more events where something other than the probability of chance is involved.”

In other words, synchronicity is far more than serendipity (which involves luck and chance). Synchronicity is birthed from the unconscious and etheric realms. In other words, when we experience synchronicity we are being sent signs and messages from our unconscious minds and Higher Selves.

For example, Jung once described a situation of synchronicity where he came to notice a half man half fish symbol. He was then served fish for lunch. Someone then joked about making an “April fish” of another. In the afternoon, one of his patients showed him a picture of a fish. In the evening, another person showed him an embroidery of sea monsters and fishes. The next morning his next patient shared with him a dream she had about a fish.

Synchronicity can actually be quite unnerving, especially when certain symbols – and in this case, numbers – keep appearing.

If you’re seeing the same number over and over again, it’s essential that you try to explore the symbolism that such a number contains for you. The repetitive numbers, symbols, and words that you keep hearing all have tremendous importance in your life that you should pay keen attention to.

Numbers and Spiritual Awakening

As experiencing synchronicity and tuning into the meaning of numbers requires us to be present and conscious, seeing repetitive numbers is usually connected to undergoing a process of spiritual awakening.

When we undergo a spiritual awakening, almost all of our priorities in life shift. We begin asking big questions about our purpose, our destiny, and what the true meaning of life is.

If you’re undergoing a spiritual awakening process, you might find that a certain repeated number like 1111 or 1212 appears in your life in moments when you feel lost and need spiritual guidance.

Such moments of synchronicity that spark curiosity and mindfulness are often thought to be messages from your Soul, spirit guides, or True Nature to “wake you up.”

Numbers and Symbolism

All throughout history, numbers have come to mean different things to different cultures. However, overall, numbers have been given similar meanings.

Take the number four, for example. The Native Americans believe that there are four winds and four directions. Along a similar line, the Ancient Greeks believed that there were four elements. In Christianity, four is the number of creation (i.e., on the fourth day of the week, God finished creating the material universe). As we can see, four has a very similar meaning across three completely different time periods and cultures.

Just a note, though. I want to emphasize that while it’s beneficial to find out the general meaning of numbers, it is imperative that you find out your personal meaning.

Synchronicity, symbolism, and the meaning of numbers are all extremely personal, so be wary of prescribing a meaning to a situation in your life that’s not actually correct or relevant.

It can be tempting to not put in any work and just go with what the traditional meaning of the number is. Please don’t do this. It’s much better to put in a little work and explore what the meaning of numbers means for YOU primarily.

Here are a few ways to find out what each number means to you and your context:

• Write down every word association you have with the number. For instance, if you keep seeing the number 2, you might write, “male and female, relationships, yin and yang, duality, light and dark, up and down, material and spiritual …”
• What pops into your mind? After you see a series of repetitive numbers, you might immediately have a thought or inkling about what the number means. Don’t ignore this immediate interpretation! Write it down or record it. Often the meanings we first ascribe to the numbers we see are the truest because little mental effort is involved. The more mental effort, the more we start fabricating meanings.
• What interpretation triggers strong feelings within you? Many people ask me how to know whether their interpretation of a number is correct. My answer is to pay attention to how triggering the interpretation is. For example, does your analysis stir up feelings of excitement, awe, fear, jubilation, or even just send tingles down your spine? This is a good sign that you’ve found the right explanation because your body is reacting in such a heightened way. However, if the interpretation you have feels cold, flat, or detached, it’s probably the wrong fit.

The Meaning of Numbers

Below I’ll share with you the general consensus that mythology, religion, mysticism, and esotericism have about each number.

As I previously mentioned, it’s important that you find your own meanings, but it does help to know what each number means. Sometimes we really are tuning into the traditional energy, magic, and meaning of each number:

Meaning of Number 0

Zero is representative of the primordial void, the womb, the realm of potential. Zero is a circle that symbolizes totality: that which precedes life, the eternal force. It is nothing and everything, the beginning, and the end. Zero is often symbolic of Spirit or God, destiny, unity, and wholeness.

Meaning of Number 1

One symbolizes leadership, strength, focus, intention, and confidence. Number one is like a straight arrow that reflects willpower and precision. One also reflects new possibilities, individuality, self-discovery, and self-empowerment. Unlike zero, which is feminine and receptive, one has masculine and willful energy.

Meaning of Number 2

Two is the number of dualities; the split we perceive between light and darkness, inside and outside, yin and yang, masculine and feminine, good and bad, life and death, mind and heart, and so on. On the one hand, number two symbolizes partnership, but on the other, it also symbolizes conflict and opposition. When balanced, two represents harmony and alignment, but when imbalanced, the number two can be destructive. You can read more about the number two in my 222 meaning article.

Meaning of Number 3

Three is typically seen as a particularly lucky and powerful number. Three represents the divine principle that underlies life, such as the mind, body, and spirit; birth, life, and death; beginning, middle, and end; past, present, and future; and so forth. Spiritual traditions such as Wicca and Christianity see the spiritual force as a triune, for example, the Father, Son, Holy Spirit, as well as the Maiden, Mother, and Crone. Three is symbolic of success, creativity, passion, intuition, and good fortune.

Meaning of Number 4

Four is a grounded and stable number that evokes a feeling of calmness and solidity. Four is very much rooted in the physical world. For example, there are four seasons, four elements, and four corners of the earth. Four is about being present in the here and now, building a strong foundation, and developing a down-to-earth perspective.

Meaning of Number 5

Five is a number of adventure and freedom. Five is also a very sensual number (five senses, five fingers, and toes), and it’s about enjoying life, trying new experiences, and seeking joy. This number is also connected to experiencing life changes (such as marriage, divorce, and new jobs) and making important choices.

Meaning of Number 6

Six represents a balance between the earthly and spiritual realms. Six is also connected to intuition (hence the ‘sixth sense’), love, beauty, equality, and care for others and oneself. In numerology, six is the number of the caretaker, the person who nurtures and compassionately serves others.

Meaning of Number 7

Seven is a magical number associated with synchronicity, luck, and perfection (seven chakras, seven colors of the rainbow, seven days in the week, etc.). Seven is also seen as a mystical number connected to spiritual awakening, introspection, and the development of wisdom. This number is connected with the pursuit of truth and the desire for a deeper understanding of life.

Meaning of Number 8

Eight is connected to abundance, prosperity, and financial well-being. Resourcefulness, hard work, determination, and inner strength are also qualities that are all connected with the number eight. Spiritually, eight is seen as an equalizer or balancer (hence its shape) that unites the conscious with the unconscious, and earthly with the spiritual. In other words, eight is reflected in the proverb, “You will reap what you sow.”

Meaning of Number 9

Nine is the number of fulfillment. Wisdom, self-examination, enlightenment, and higher consciousness are all qualities of the number nine. Nine is also connected to one’s higher purpose and ultimate life mission and is a number that encourages us to take a bird’s eye view of our lives.

Meaning of Number 10

Ten represents completion: the ending of a cycle and the attainment of wholeness. Ten is both masculine and feminine and reflects the unity possible once we integrate the fragmented pieces of our inner selves.

Meaning of Number 11

Eleven is a powerful number that is often referred to as the ‘spiritual messenger.’ This number carries with it both positive and negative associations. On the one hand, eleven can represent the need to make an urgent change (hence the saying “the eleventh hour”), but on the other, eleven is connected with one’s destiny. In other words, seeing eleven can tell you a lot about your life path and what paths you should or shouldn’t walk. I wrote about number eleven more in-depth in this 11 11 article.

Meaning of Number 12

Twelve is the number of cosmic order. For example, there are twelve months in the year, twelve astrological signs, twelve personality archetypes, etc. According to numerology, twelve is the number of inspiration, cooperation, and creative and individualistic self-expression.

Final Words

Understanding the meaning of numbers gives you that extra layer of insight when it comes to self-discovery and realization.

While the personal meaning you assign to numbers might not always conform to the above descriptions, it’s crucial that you value your unique interpretations above all else. The above explanations are a springboard from which to develop your own insight.

For me, noticing repeating numbers and exploring their meanings has helped me crystalize extremely vital insights in my life. Many of these insights actually changed the course of my life. So paying attention to the meaning of numbers and synchronicity is no small thing!

Sometimes you’ll see a repetitive number like 1010 or 555 that helps to affirm a decision you’ve been wanting to make. Other times, the repeated numbers you see are warning you to be mindful of the decisions you’re making. Pay attention, because your Soul and the Universe can and do communicate with you through repeated numbers.

What forms of synchronicity have you had recently with numbers? I’d love to hear below in the comments from you! Feel free to also share this article with someone who you think might benefit. :)