Ideal Metrology In Nature Art Religion And History PDF Download

From the PREFACE. The following pages are due to a long yet incomplete study of the symbolic use of numerals in ancient literature and monumental work. The builders of old Egyptian and Asiatic civilizations attached great importance to numbers as an exact language in which physical and spiritual ideals could be expressed and preserved. The number seven was generally recognized as the numeric symbol of rest, satisfaction and sufficiency, and ten as the symbol of completeness. It is our belief that these are fragments of an ancient and comprehensive system of numerical symbolism. In the absence of ancient writings or tablets defining the symbolism of numbers we must depend upon special use to discover their significance. As figures show time on the clock dial, steam pressure on the steam gauge, and commercial values in account books, so the ancient symbolic import of numbers is determined by their use. Where measures are thus employed a symbolic interpretation is important. The marvellous ability displayed in the monumental work of ancient builders shows that their measuring rods were accurately fixed. Men of such constructive skill could not be content with a standard of measures derived from the average length of a thousand forearms. A thorough study of their work should reveal not only their units of measure, but their ideals of construction. The extensive connection displayed between symbolic ideals and actual measurements shows that the masters had an ideal or spiritual as well as a physical conception of the relation of things. The persistent use of Nature's numberings indicates their recognition of Divine ideals of order and harmony; hence the language of numbers was held in great reverence. Fragments of it are scattered through the literature of the ages. The origin of numerals, which are found in the earliest writings known to men, is wrapped in obscurity, but they have ever been important factors of human life. The interpretation of numeric symbolism is to be found in the symbolic meaning of the cardinal numbers, which are used singly, in decimal form, or in combination by addition, multiplication or division, or even by powers and roots. Numeric geometry enters into the scheme; linear measures denote nearness or distance; areas represent possession or country; cubes denote containment; squares and circles are interconvertible. The limit of numeric symbolism cannot be fixed. Without the language of numbers the ideal harmony of creation, physical and spiritual, as Pythagoras calls it, can hardly be discerned. Ancient philosophers called geometry the perfect science. It is evident that for the interpretation of the symbolic use of numbers and geometric forms regard must be had for mathematical accuracy, otherwise the utmost confusion of ideas would result, mathematical absurdities and contradictions would abound, and unity of purpose in an architectural design would not be found. In this study gross approximation to measurements is not admissible; mathematical quantities used for symbolic purposes must be treated as integrally correct, and sometimes fractionally correct to a minute degree. The language of numbers has received the serious attention of eminent leaders in past ages; it is a mine of exhaustless treasure whether studied in Nature, Art, Religion, or History, and should be worked by loving hearts and with profound reverence for Him who is Truth.