The Mystery of Numbers (Oxford Paperbacks)

This book is not what I thought it would be. However, it did give insight into how ancient people and religions regarded numbers. I am an atheist, so the info on how religions viewed numbers was not that important to me, but it is knowledge that I didn't know before, so I appreciate that.

I liked that this book reviewed a variety of cultures with the historical significance of numbers. It was useful for me in writing a paper on cultural uses of numbers.

This book is a must for anyone who is interested in the meaning of numbers. Since number is an archetype of the physical world, it has many meanings and mysteries. Annemarie Schimmel has provided us with her extensive exploration of the many meanings of numbers. I highly recommend this book.

thank you

This is very interesting reading. I like the author's writing style, the way he wrote about different numbers it's fantastic.

This book provides deep insights in the nature of numbers... but number 23 is completely omitted from the book without the slightest explanation.

More information then I needed or wanted but still enjoyed flipping through the pages.

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.

One of my favourite books: the symbolism of number made clear. A real classic.

Annemarie Schimmel hat mich bereits mit ihrer Biographie Morgenland und Abendland fasziniert. Eine Frau, die in den dreißiger Jahren ihre Schulzeit abschloss und zahlreiche Sprachen des Orients und auch mehrere westliche Sprachen beherrscht und eine Expertin, unter anderem der Orientalischen Kalligraphie und Dichtkunst ist. Eine mir geradezu unirdisch anmutentde Begabung und Berufung hat diese Frau.Ihre Beschreibung der Zahlen und der diversen Bedeutungen in den Kulturen Europas, des Orients und Asiens halte ich daher für absolut fundiert und das schöne ist der feine Humor der Autorin, der immer wieder durchscheint und das Lesen besonders unterhaltsam macht. Vielleicht kann dieses Buch auch Mathe-Muffeln einen Einblick in die Faszination der Zahlen geben :)

I needed this text and took a chance ordering it secondhand. Not only is the book itself amazing and enlightening, but the physical shape of the book is immaculate. Received it superquick and definitely thrilled to have it for class tomorrow!

Un ouvrage passionnant ... et je le recommande à toute personne cherchant " ce je ne sais quoi " !