Cult of Oc ~ Chinese Weekdays ~ Pythagorean theorem ~ Squaring the Circle
Jack, Queen, and King ~ Table of Contents

The Origin of Numerals: (Scroll down for this one.) The circles and crosses used to represent the planets may have inspired the invention of early Hindu-Arabic numerals. An analysis of their present forms suggests that they have evolved from a logical and ingeniously simple sequence composed of two basic elements: a reference line (a straight stroke) ending in an arc (either clockwise or counter- clockwise), and a sequence line (a short stroke to the left or right from the origin of the reference line, or across its middle). A clockwise arc from the reference line indicates an odd numeral, a counterclockwise arc indicates an even numeral. These symbols retain their identity regardless of orientation.

The first two positive numerals, 1 & 2, have no sequence line (the clockwise arc of the 1 is reduced to a mere vestige, except in European manuscript forms). Starting with 3 the sequence line extends from the origin of the reference line at a right angle to the left (for 3&4), then to the right (for 5&6), and finally across the middle (for 7&8), of the reference line . The modern European manuscript forms for the odd numerals are virtually identical to the suggested archaic forms. In the case of the 9, the sequence line is absent and the arc is closed, clockwise from the reference line.

In the case of 0, reference and sequence lines are both lacking. Zero is typically written counterclockwise, which is consistent with its classification as an even numeral in this scheme. The 2 is perfect. The modern 6 is closely related to the proposed prototype. The 4 and 8 look less like the modern forms. **********************************                ***Lore
 
 

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The Cult of Oc: The ancient ciphers for the sun, a circle, and the moon, a crescent, when joined form the word oc. "To occult" means to eclipse, as when the moon obscures the sun during a total eclipse. Oc is also the root of the Latin word for eye - oculus. So the occult is the cult of the celestial sunmoon eye whose wink darkens the day. ***********************************Lore

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Chinese planets/elements/weekdays:In the Chinese tradition the naked-eye planets are associated with the five elements (left to right, above) - earth/Saturn, water/Mercury, wood/Jupiter, fire/Mars, and metal/Venus. In this way the planets are associated with the same days of the week as in the European tradition. Sun-day and Mo(o)n-day are the same too.
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The Pythagorean theorem: For every right triangle, the square of the longest side equals the sum of the squares of the other two sides. Sets of small integers (and their multiples), that satisfy this equation are 3,4,5 and 5,12,13.

Double Square Deck******************                   ****Lore
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Squaring the Circle: Note how the zodiac (a band of constellations that encircles the sky) is rendered as a rectangle on the back of the Cosmic Puzzle playing cards. In general, when concepts are encoded or systematized the circle is being squared, such as 1) when an idea is expressed as a spoken word,  2) when a spoken word is written down, or 3) when natural phenomena are explained by a scientific law. Edges are defined, corners established; there is delineation and the setting of limits. In mathematics squaring the circle refers to the problem of constructing a circle and a square of the same area using only a compass and a straight edge. It has not been done.                                    Lore
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Jack, Queen, and King: A standard deck of playing cards looks like a year of 52 7-day weeks, with the Jokers there to represent the otherwise unaccounted for 365th day and leap days. The presence of the face cards suggest that an early use for the cards was as a tax collector's calendar. The Queen is a relatively new twist. Older examples depict 3 men of ascending rank. A citizen would owe the equivalent of a week's work every quarter to local, regional, and national authorities. This percentage of income (12/52 = 23%) going to taxes is still acceptable to many.                                       Lore
 
 
 

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