Seven
Throughout recorded history the number seven has been associated with completeness and perfection. Below are some of the facts and curios related to “seven.”
For your convenience, sources are listed immediately after the item.
- In Pythagorean numerology the number 7 means spirituality.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symbolism_of_the_number_7# - There are seven days in a week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday).
- The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World are the Great Pyramid of Giza, Hanging Gardens of Babylon, Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, Statue of Zeus at Olympia, Mausoleum at Halicarnassus (also known as the Mausoleum of Mausolus), Colossus of Rhodes, and the Lighthouse of Alexandria).
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wonders_of_the_World - The seven metals of antiquity are gold, silver, copper, tin, lead, iron, and mercury.
Source: https://artsandculture.google.com/entity/metals-of-antiquity/m03d5mt1?hl=en - The seven Classical Planets are the Earth’s Moon, Mercury, Venus, the Sun, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn), which are visible to the naked eye.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_planet#:~:text=In%20classical%20antiquity%2C%20the%20seven - There are seven palms in an Egyptian Sacred Cubit, which is the earliest standard of measurement.
Source: https://www.hindawi.com/journals/janthro/2014/489757/ - In the medieval European university the seven liberal arts were grammar, rhetoric, and logic (the trivium) and geometry, arithmetic, music, and astronomy (the quadrivium).
Source: https://www.getty.edu/art/collection/objects/127276/coetivy-master-henri-de-vulcop-philosophy-presenting-the-seven-liberal-arts-to-boethius-french-about-1460-1470/ - The seven seas are the Arctic, Indian, North Atlantic, North Pacific, South Atlantic, South Pacific, and Southern Oceans; not to be confused a variety of other “seven seas” in various countries in the world.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Seas - The seven continents are Africa, Antarctica, Australia, Asia, Europe, North America, and South America.
- There are seven cervical vertebrae in the neck (C1,C2,C3,C4,C5,C6,C7).
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cervical_vertebrae - There are seven layers within the organ known as human skin. There are five layers in the epidermis (from top to bottom: Stratum corneum, Stratum lucidum, Stratum granulosum, Stratum spinosum, and Stratum basale) and and two layers in the dermis (Papillary Layer and Reticular Layer).
Source: https://www.emedicinehealth.com/what_are_the_seven_layers_of_skin/article_em.htm - The seven colors of the rainbow are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.
Source: https://www.npg.org.uk/learning/digital/family-activities-playful-portraits/dorothy-hodgkin/6-8-years-colours-of-the-rainbow#:~:text=The%20colours%20of%20the%20rainbow,%2C%20blue%2C%20indigo%2C%20violet. - The seven notes in a diatonic scale are A,B,C,D,E,F, and G.
- Let us not forget the seven-year itch.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_seven-year_itch
- Some cities claim to have been built on seven hills.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_claimed_to_be_built_on_seven_hills - There are seven Cherokee clans (A-ni-gi-lo-hi (Long Hair), A-ni-sa-ho-ni (Blue), A-ni-wa-ya (Wolf), A-ni-go-te-ge-wi (Wild Potato), A-ni-a-wi (Deer), A-ni-tsi-s-qua (Bird), A-ni-wo-di (Paint).
Source: https://www.cherokeephoenix.org/education/the-cherokee-clan-system/article_a88fcc42-f3f8-5f33-b575-8cff7d3bffd2.html#:~:text=There%20are%20seven%20clans%3A%20A,a%20person’s%20clan%20is%20important. - Cats are reputed to have seven lives in Italy, Germany, Greece, Brazil, Mexico, Spain and some other Spanish speaking cultures.
Source: https://kittyclysm.com/how-many-lives-do-cats-have/#:~:text=According%20to%20a%20myth%20in,number%20of%20lives%20is%20six - There are seven main Chakras (energy centers) in the human body.
18 Mahatma Gandhi wrote of Seven Social Sins
A. Wealth without work.
B. Pleasure without conscience.
C. Knowledge without character.
D. Commerce without morality.
E. Science without humanity.
F. Religion without sacrifice.
G. Politics without principle.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Social_Sins
Religion
Seven is an important number in many religions. For example, Mesopotamian religions, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all refer to seven levels of heaven.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Heavens
Buddhism
The Buddha, after birth, took seven steps and lotus blossoms sprang from his footsteps.
Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/life-of-the-buddha-a-spiritual-journey/zjf4y9q
Christianity
The seventh day of the week is the Sabbath (Sunday).
It is prophesized that there will be seven stars and seven golden candlestick at the end of the world:
“The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.”
Source: Revelations 1:20, The Bible, KJV
There will be a book with seven seals:
“And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.”
Source: Revelation 5:1, The Bible KJV
Also, seven angels and seven trumpets:
A. “And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.”
Source: Revelation 8:2, The Bible KJV
B. And the seven angels which had the seven
trumpets prepared themselves to sound.”
Source: Revelation 8:6, The Bible KJV
C. The seven angels and seven golden bowls with
seven plagues (wraths)
1) And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of
God.”
Source: Revelation 15:1, The Bible KJV
2) And the seven angels came out of the temple,
having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and
white linen, and having their breasts girded
with golden girdles.
Source: Revelation 15:6, The Bible KJV
3) “Then one of the four living creatures gave the
even angels seven golden bowls full of the
wrath of God, who lives forever and ever.”
Source: Revelation 15:7, The Bible KJV
4) “And I heard a great voice out of the temple
saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and
pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon the
earth.
Source: Revelation 16:1, The Bible KJV
5) “Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came to me and talked with me, saying, “Come, I will show you the bride, the Lamb’s wife.”
Source: (Revelation 21:9, The Bible KJV)
The red dragon has seven heads:
A. And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
Source: (Revelation 12:3, The Bible KJV)
B. And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst
thou marvel? I will tell thee the mystery of the
woman, and of the beast that carrieth her, which
hath the seven heads and horns.
Source: Revelation 17:7, The Bible KJV
The Seven Deadly Sins (Capital Vices or
Cardinal Sins) are pride, greed, wrath, envy,
lust, gluttony, and sloth.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_deadly_sins
The Seven Virtues are composed of two types of
virtues. The first are Cardinal Virtues: prudence,
justice, temperance, and courage (fortitude) and
the second are the Theological Virtues: faith,
hope, and charity.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_virtues
The Seven Capital Virtues are chastity,
temperance, charity diligence, patience,
kindness, and humility.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_virtues
The Seven gifts of the Holy Spirit are wisdom, understanding, counsel, fortitude, knowledge,
piety, and fear of the Lord.
Source: https://www.learnreligions.com/gifts-of-the-holy-spirit-542143
There were seven loaves of bread which then
multiplied into seven baskets of bread.
Source: Matthew 15:32–37, The Bible
There were seven demons that were driven from
Mary Magdalene.
Source: Luke 8:2, The Bible
The seven last words of Jesus on the cross were:
A. “Father, forgive them, for they do not know
what they do.” Source: Luke 23:34, The Bible
B. “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me
in paradise.” Source: Luke 23:43, The Bible
C. “Woman, behold your son. Son, behold your
mother.” Source: John 19:26–27, The Bible
D. “My God, My God, have you forsaken me?”
Source: Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34, The Bible
E . “I thirst.” Source: John 19:28, The Bible
F. “It is finished.” Source John 19:29-30, The Bible
G. “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”
Source: Luke 23:46, The Bible
There are seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom.
Source: Acts 6:3, The Bible
“And the LORD said unto him, Therefore
whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be
taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a
mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should
kill him.”
Source: Genesis 4:15, The Bible KJV
The Seven Corporal Acts of Mercy are:
A. To feed the hungry;
B. To give drink to the thirsty;
C. To clothe the naked;
D. To give shelter to travelers;
E. To visit the sick;
F. To visit the imprisoned; and
G. To bury the dead
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Works_of_mercy
The Seven Spiritual Acts of Mercy are:
A. To instruct the ignorant;
B. To counsel the doubtful;
C. To admonish the sinner;
D. To bear wrongs patiently;
E. To forgive offenses willingly;
F. To comfort the afflicted; and
G. To pray for the living and the dead.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Works_of_mercy
The Seven Joys of the Virgin Mary are:
A. The Annunciation;
B. The Nativity of Jesus;
C. The Adoration of the Magi;
D. The Resurrection of Christ;
E. The Ascension of Christ to Heaven;
F. The Pentecost or Descent of the Holy Spirit
upon the Apostles and Mary; and
G. The Coronation of the Virgin in Heaven.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Joys_of_the_Virgin
The Seven Sorrows of the Virgin Mary are:
A. The prophecy of Simeon (Luke 2:25-35)
B. The flight into Egypt (Matthew 2:13-15)
C. Mary and Joseph’s loss of Jesus for three days
(Luke 2:41-50)
D. Mary meets Jesus on his way to Calvary
(Luke 23:27-31;John 19:17)
E. Crucifixion and Death of Jesus (John 19:25-30)
F. The body of Jesus being taken from the Cross
(Psalm 130; Luke 23:50-54; John 19:31-37)
G. The burial of Jesus (Isaiah 53:8; Luke 23:50-56; John
19:38-42; Mark 15:40-47)
Source: https://www.ncregister.com/blog/what-are-the-seven-
sorrows-of-mary
The Seven Sleepers, who are known in the West
as Maximian, Malchus, Marcian, John, Denis, Serapion, and Constantine, and in the East as Maximilian, Jamblichus, Martin, John,
Dionysius, Antonius, and Constantine)
Source: https://www.britannica.com › topic › Seven-Sleepers-of-E…
There are Seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church
A. Baptism;
B. Penance;
C. Holy Eucharist;
D. Confirmation (Reconciliation);
E. Matrimony;
F. Anointing of the Sick; and
G. Holy Orders.
Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacraments_of_the_Catholic_Church
The seven eyes of the Lord:
“For who hath despised the day of small things?
For they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet
in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD; which run to and fro
through the whole earth.”
Source: Zechariah 4:10, The Bible, KJV
Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by
sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts
that are not clean by two, the male and his
female.”
Source: Genesis 7:2, The Bible KJV
In the Egyptian Pharaoh’s dream the seven well
fed cows are followed by seven malnurished
cows, foretelling of the coming seven years of
feast and seven years of famine:
A. “And, behold, there came up out of the river
seven well favoured kine and fatfleshed; and
they fed in a meadow.”
Source: Genesis 41:2
B. And, behold, seven other kine came up after
them out of the river, ill favoured and
leanfleshed; and stood by the other kine upon the
brink of the river.
Source: Genesis 41:3
C. And the ill favoured and leanfleshed kine did
eat up the seven well favoured and fat kine. So
Pharaoh awoke.
Source: Genesis 41:4
In atonement for sin, during the offering:
“And the priest shall dip his finger in the blood,
and sprinkle of the blood seven times before the
LORD, before the vail of the sanctuary.”
Source: Leviticus 4:6, The Bible KJV
The land the Israelites would have is composed of land belonging to seven tribes:
“When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou.”
Source: Deuteronomy 7:1, The Bible KJV
In the taking of Jericho, there are many groups of seven:
A. “And it came to pass, when Joshua had spoken unto the people, that the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams’ horns passed on before the LORD, and blew with the trumpets: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD followed them.”
Source: Joshua 6:8, The Bible
B. And they continued this for six days.
Source: Joshua 6:9-14, The Bible
C. “But it came to pass on the seventh day that they rose early, about the dawning of the day, and marched around the city seven times in the same manner. On that day only they marched around the city seven times.”
Source: Joshua 6:15, The Bible KJV
D. “And the seventh time it happened, when the priests blew the trumpets, that Joshua said to the people: “Shout, for the LORD has given you the city!”
Source: Joshua 6:16, The Bible KJV
The “seven abominations” to God are:
A. “A proud look,
B. A lying tongue, and
C. Hands that shed innocent blood,”.
D. “An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations,
E. Feet that be swift in running to mischief,”
F. A false witness that speaketh lies, and
G. He that soweth discord among brethren.”
Source: Proverbs 6:16–19, The Bible KJV
There are seven pillars in the house that Wisdom built:
“Wisdom has built her house and made seven columns for it.”
Source: Proverbs 9:1, The Bible KJV
Hinduism
The Puranas (Hindu religious tests) and Atharvaveda,(the way to live on a daily basis) indicate 14 worlds, There are seven higher ones (Satya-loka (Brahma-loka), Tapa-loka, Jana-loka, Mahar-loka, Svar-loka (Svarga-loka), Bhuvar-loka,Bhu-loka) and seven lower ones (Atala-loka, Vitala-loka, Sutala-loka, Talatala-loka, Mahatala-loka, Rasatala-loka, and Patala-loka).
Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loka , https://enwikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism/The_Puranas
There are seven Saptarishi (sages) represented in Hindu astronomy by the seven stars in the Big Dipper and the seven hills of Saptagiri.
Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sapthagiri , https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saptarishi
There are seven Matrikas (mother goddesses: Brameshwari Kaumari, Vaaraahi,Vaishnavi, Chaamundi, Maheshwari, and Indrani) ) who are represented visually by the seven stars of the Pleiades.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matrikas
The Saptapadi is a group of seven vows recited by the priest while the bride and groom circle a fire seven times during Hindu weddings.
Source: https://www.deshvidesh.com/saptapadi-the-seven-vows-of- marriage/#:~:text=
While%20the%20groom%20takes%20the,as%20long%20as%20they%20live.
There is a temple on Venkatadri (Venkatachala or Venkata Hill) whose primary diety is Lord Venkateswara known as the “Temple of Seven Hills, that is atop the seventh peak named Venkatadri (Venkatachala or Venkata Hill). The other six peaks are: Seshadri, Neeladri, Garudadri, Anjanadri, Vrushabhadri, and Narayanadri.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sapthagiri
Islam
There are seven verses in the first surah of the Qur’an (1:1-7). Sahih International translates them as:
A. In the Name of Allah the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
B. [All] praise is [due] to Allah, Lord of the worlds
C. The Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful,
D. Sovereign of the Day of Recompense.
E. It is You we worship and You we ask for help.
F. Guide us to the straight path—
G. The path of those upon whom You have bestowed favor, not of those who have evoked [Your] anger or of those who are astray.
Source: https://quran.com/1
Pilgrims walk around the Kaaba in Mecca seven times during the Hajj and the Umrah.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hajj , https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umrah
Pilgrims make seven brisk walks between Al-Safa and Al-Marwah during Hajj.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hajj
There are seven doors to hell: Jahannam, Ladha, Saqar, Al Hutamah, Jaheem, Sa’eer, and Al Haawiyah
Source: https://lifeinsaudiarabia.net/7-levels-gates-of-hell-jahannum-and-the-people-who-will-be-living-there/
Babies’ naming ceremonies and Aqiqah are held on their seventh day.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naming_ceremony
Judaism
There are seven days in a week. (Rishon (“first”), Sheni (“second”), Shlishi (“third”), Revi’i (“fourth), Chamishi (“fifth”), Shishi (“sixth”), Shabbat (“stopped working” or “rested”).
Source: https://www.ivritalk.com/hebrew-days-of-the-week/
There are seven candles on the menorah.
Source: https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/the-hanukkiyah-menorah/
Passover is celebrated for seven days (1):
“And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the LORD: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread.”(2)
Sources:
(1) https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Hebrew_Roots/Holy_Days/Week_of_Unleavened_Bread
(2) Leviticus 26:10, The Bible KJV
There are seven angels who stand in the Lord’s presence:
“I am Raphael, one of the seven angels who stand in the glorious presence of the Lord, ready to serve him.”
Source: Book of Tobit (12:15)
During the Shabbat morning services, there are seven blessings (aliyah) to honor the Torah and seven readers during the Shabbat morning services
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aliyah_(Torah)
There are seven blessings (Sheva Brachot or Birkot Nissuin) in a Jewish wedding ceremony.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheva_Brachot
There are seven Ushpizin prayers to invite and honor “exalted” guests (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron, Joseph and David) during the holiday of Sukkot
Source: https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/text-of-the-ushpizin-service/
Myth
China
Seven sages of the bamboo grove.
Source: https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Seven_Sages_of_the_Bamboo_Grove
Greece
The seven islands of Atlantis from Plato’s dialogues Timaeus and Critias.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantis
India
According to Khasi mythology there were seven families, who prepared the earth for crops and gardens, from heaven that were duped into staying on earth by someone who wanted power. They became the basis for all mankind and are called “Ki Hinniew Skum” (the seven nests, or the seven roots).
Source: Rafy, K.U.,“The Legend of Mount Sophet Bneng”, Folk-tales of the Khasis, St. Martin’s Street, London, England, Macmillon and Co., Limited, 1920.
Ireland
The Irish hero Cúchulainn has “seven bright pupils, eye-jewels, in each kingly eye. Each foot had seven toes and each hand seven fingers,” according to Thomas Kinsella’s translation of The Táin, Oxford University Press, 1969, pp. 156–158
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%C3%BA_Chulainn
It is believed that the seventh son of the seventh son has special healing powers.
Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seventh_son_of_a_seventh_son#:~:text=Regional%20variations-,Ireland,called%20the%20%22charm%22). https://www.encyclopedia.com/science/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/seventh-son
Japan
The Seven Lucky Gods (Ebisu, Hotei, Benzaiten, Bishamonten, Daikokuten, Jurōjin, and Fukurokuju).
Source: Seven Lucky Gods
Shichishitō is the Seven-branched Sword.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven-Branched_Sword
Mesoptamia
The goddess Inanna was found guilty by seven judges and condemned to death for trying to conquer her sister’s domain in the underworld.
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inanna
Middle East
The Seven Wise Masters (also called the Seven Sages or Seven Wise Men) is a group of stories attributed as Sanskrit, Persian or Hebrew.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Wise_Masters
Romania
A seventh child is fated to become a vampire.
Source: https://www.encyclopedia.com/science/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/seventh-son
Scotland
The seventh daughter of a seventh daughter was believed to be capable of prophetic vision.
Source: https://www.encyclopedia.com/science/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/seventh-son
South America
Guaranni mythology in South America tells of seven monsters (Teju Jagua, Mbói Tu’ĩ, Moñái, Jasy Jatere, Kurupi, Ao Ao,Luison (or Luisõ))
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guarani_mythology
Fairy Tales & Ballads
France
“Beauty and the Beast” as written by Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont places Beauty in a family of seven (father, three brothers, and three sisters) and the Beast allows Beauty to return to her family for seven days.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beauty_and_the_Beast
Germany
“Snow White” was recorded by the Brothers Grimm in 1812. Snow White is taken in by seven dwarves. Snow White is seven years old when the mirror declares her “the fairest in the land.”
Source: https://www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/history-of-snow-white
The Brothers Grimm also collected the story “The Brave Little Tailor” in which seven flies are killed.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Brave_Little_Tailor
The third story related by the Brothers Grimm that includes the number seven is “The Seven Ravens.”
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Seven_Ravens
Great Britain
Sir Thomas de Ercildoun (Thomas the Rhymer) is reputed (as related in five medieval verse romances and a ballad) to have spent seven years in the faerie kingdom.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_the_Rhymer
North America (Kiowa)
In”The Seven sisters,” the seven sisters are chased up a tree stump by their brother. The tree stump grows skyward, depositing the seven sisters in the sky as the Pleiades constellation.
Source: The Seven Sisters,
Norway
In “East of the Sun and West of the Moon,” the white bear returns to fetch the youngest daughter as the required payment for making her father rich.
Source: https://sites.pitt.edu/~dash/norway034.html
Scotland
As related in the ballad about Tam Lin, every seven years the Fairies much give a tithe (teind) to Hell.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tam_Lin
Legend
There were Seven Cities of Gold (Cibola, El Dorado, Paititi, City of the Caesars, Lake Parime at Manoa, Antilia, and Quivira) in the Americas that were believed to be rich with gold.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_Cities_of_Gold