33 Years - The Age of Christ

The idea of elevating the number 33 had been stirring for a year already, but one shouldn't tempt fate. After all, the notion of the age of Christ and a certain turning point in every person's life has taken root in the consciousness of the entire Christian world. Moreover, that feeling was not the most uplifting - you stand at such a threshold of years and look at what has been achieved in life and what to strive for, you evaluate and criticise yourself, figuratively speaking, "prodding the right ventricle of the heart with a rusty nail." Now, having crossed that threshold, a second wind has opened up, as they say - new projects, plans, life moves forward, upward and wherever else it may go.

But returning to the mystique of the number 33, I have looked a little further into why this number seems so significant to more or less every person, from the perspective of various sciences, pseudo-sciences and history.

From the testimony of Biblical scholars it is known that Jesus was crucified at the age of 33 and rose from the dead on the third day. 33 in Arabic, but XXXIII in Roman numerals - very simple in writing: 3 X's and 3 I's.

In numerology, adding both digits gives a sum of 6, which in turn is the number of love. According to Nicomachus (1st century AD), a number is perfect only if the sum of its divisors, excluding the number itself, equals that number. The divisors of 6 are 1, 2 and 3 (1+2+3=6). Thus the perfect numbers are 6, 8, 28, 128, 496, 550, 336 and 33. The sum and product of its individual constituent digits always equals 6, which is why this number is harmonious and balanced. It radiates peace and equanimity.

Interestingly, if one examines the connection of this number with the Freemasons, it emerges that in this organisation there are a maximum of 33 lodges (depending on the founding country). And the number 33 frequently appears in Masonic symbolism as well.

Images from Scottish Rite Freemasonry & MasonicSourcebook & 33 Mysteries Home Page

One of the aforementioned sources explains the significance of this number in Masonic symbolism. King Solomon's Temple stood for 33 years and was then completely destroyed. David reigned in Jerusalem for 33 years. The human spinal column consists of 33 vertebrae. The digit 3 is also at play in connection with the Masonic triangle: 3 by 3, which forms the digit 9, which in turn is the number of the origin of the divine tree.

Seal of Solomon

In physics, on Newton's scale, 33 degrees is the temperature at which drinking water boils. In chemistry, meanwhile, the 33rd element is Arsenic (As), which, as is well known, is extremely poisonous to both rodents and humans.

One could of course go still deeper and study all the historical events, or invoke figures known to society and history for whom the age of 33 was fateful (for example, the Latvian musician Mārtiņš Freimanis, Hitler's beloved Eva Braun, the Argentine actress and wife of the Argentine president Eva Perón). But on which day or year has something significant not occurred?!

In closing, an interesting number matrix in which adding the numbers vertically, horizontally and diagonally always yields the number 33. 1+14+14+4=33; 1+11+8+13=33; 1+7+10+15=33, etc.

Sources used:

Džūls Silvers. Numerology - The Magic and Mystery of Numbers. - Riga: Jumava, 2006.

http://vigilantcitizen.com/latestnews/the-odd-masonic-imagery-surrounding-the-33-chilean-miners-rescue/

Wikipedia - 33 (number)