Numbers are used frequently in the Bible (especially in prophetic
and apocalyptic works) and in Christian pictorial symbols to
signify various theological concepts. Following are the most
commonly accepted interpretations of numerical symbols.
One signifies unity; both the unity of God and the unity of members
of the Church.
The number two represents duality. Specifically, it can symbolize
the divine and human natures of Christ or the material and the
spiritual.
The number three represents the Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy
Spirit.)
Four can represent the Four Evangelists (authors of the Gospels),
the four corners of the earth, or the four seasons. Its association
with the latter sometimes make it the number of earth.
Five symbolizes the five wounds Christ suffered on the cross
(hands, feet, and side), and by extension represents
sacrifice.
Six represents creation, because God created in six days, or
imperfection, because it falls short of the perfect number
seven.
Seven is the number of perfection. God rested on the seventh day,
Paul lists seven gifts of the Spirit and Jesus spoke seven
utterances from the cross. The number seven is especially prominent
in the apocalyptic Book of Revelation, in which there are seven
seals, seven churches and many other things numbering seven.
Eight represents regeneration or resurrection. Thus many baptismal
fonts are eight-sided, as is the baptismal cross.
Nine is the number of mystery or angels, since there are nine
choirs of angels.
Ten symbolizes completion, since there are Ten Commandments, Ten
Plagues, etc.
Twelve is often used to signify the whole church, since there were
12 tribes of Israel and 12 apostles.
Thirteen represents betrayal since there were 13 people at the Last
Supper.
Forty symbolizes trial or testing, since Noah's flood, Israel's
wandering in the wilderness, Moses' stay on Mt. Sinai, and Jesus'
temptation in the wilderness all lasted forty days. The Lenten
Season is forty days in duration for this reason.
One hundred usually denotes completeness or plentitude, since it is
ten times ten.
One thousand represents a very large number, infinity or
eternity.
