The Secret Language of Numbers

This channel explores number symbolism underlying the gematria encryption of canonical texts. In the ancient world, the letters of many alphabets also served as numbers, and this means that words, names and scriptural passages had numerical values. This property was exploited by initiates for purposes including magic, religious veneration and the transmission of initiatory secrets through time. Later, during the Renaissance, there was a renewed flowering of gematria that saw its application to the (early) modern European languages. Many great works of art and literature in these languages retain secrets concealed by this means.