Frances Yates, Giardano Bruno and the Hermetic Tradition (1964)
The above magic squares are from the book De Occulta Philosophia by Henry Cornelius Agrippa von Nettesheim (1486 – 1535), physician, magician, and Secretary to the Emperor Maximilian I.
De Occulta Philosophia had the distinction of being the most authoritative book on magic and the occult arts during the early Italian Renaissance. The book circulated in manuscript form since 1510, was published in 1531, and expanded to three volumes in 1533. Albrecht Durer (1471 – 1528) and Hans Holbein (1497 – 1543) could have been influenced by such a work and the magical influence of numbers.
The book lists the first seven magic squares and their corresponding Kabbalistic names, signs, and figures to be used in the practice of magic. Each planet was assigned its own number and several divine names. Agrippa's book on magic emphasizes the union of Kabbala and magic squares. In Hebrew, kamea referred to the magic square.
The four magical figures that corresponded to the moon, its spirit, its daemon, and its position in the zodiac.
The above magic squares correspond to the moon, the metal silver, and the numbers 369 and 3,321; these numbers being the magic constant of the square and the sum total of all the numbers in the square.
Note of interest: There are two mistakes in Agrippa's 9x9 magic square. The numbers 43 and 45 appear twice in the square and we know this violates a basic tenet of magic squares.
The Luo Shu, Chinese Magic, and the Dance of Yu
The early Chinese practiced magic and alchemy with the aid of magic squares three thousand years prior to Agrippa's book. The Dance of Yu was a ceremonial dance mentioned in texts dating from the second century BC. The above illustration demonstrates that the steps of Yu are based on the numerical sequence of the 3x3 Magic Square which generates "the Seal of Saturn". A step dance by the shaman in this pattern would reflect the movement of life and the balance of heaven and earth.
The Sigil of the Moon and Greek Coins
The Magic Square, the Moon, the Swastika, and the Quincunx
This example of a Greek coin from Knossos, c 440-300 BC, uses the symbol for the moon with the swastika contained within the model or template of the Luo Shu magic square, that is, the cross-in-square pattern and the four quadrants. The five in the center is integral as a correspondence to the magic square.
The four quadrants have the symbol for the moon and the four cardinal directions correspond to the arms of the swastika. Quincuncial composition can be observed as the four moons around the center and the four arms of the swastika around the center generate this common motif. The coin also exhibits the circle (heaven) and square (earth) relationship, that is, a square 3x3 grid inside a circular coin.
Agrippa's magical sigil for the moon also has a quincunx pattern around its center or axis mundi. The four arms pointing in the four cardinal directions also create the four quadrants where the symbol for the moon resides and just as in the Greek coin from Knossos the crescent moon is pointing in the same direction. Four circles at the end of each arm form a quincunx with the center circle. The sigil also demonstrates the circle and square relationship and corresponds with the 9x9 magic square.
The 9x9 magic square demonstrates a cross–in–square pattern as only odd numbers occupy the horizontal and vertical axis. The center or axis mundi is represented by the number 41 as this is the center between 1 and 92 just as the number five is the center number between 1 and 32.
The He Tu numerical pairing of numbers combines with the Luo Shu magic square to form a swastika. Also demonstrated is the cross-in-square pattern symbolizing heaven as the even numbers symbolize earth. The Luo Shu and He Tu were the earliest mathematical diagrams known and used repetively through symbols to convey the concept of heaven and earth with the application of mathematics (or number).
Where does the Swastika Come From?
The Swastika is a very old Buddhist symbol and a common motif found on oriental textiles. The swastika is the bringing together the Luo Shu Chinese Magic Square with the He Tu which is a diagram of the numerical pairing of 1 and 6; 2 and 7; 3 and 8: and lastly, 4 and 9. Five is the center number and has no pair.
The upper left image demonstrates the generation of the swastika glyph used in the Chinese language, wan - prosperity, good luck, wealth, and long life. Several centuries before Christ, in India, the swastika was a symbol for the sun (source: Amulets and Talismans by E.A. Wallis Budge). The swastika is the adjoinment of two very ancient mathematical diagrams found in the Yi Jing.
Symbols that make corresponces with functional mathematics have more impact than symbols that originate from man's imagination. These glyphs, born from the wisdom of numbers, have a connection with heaven as this is the language of the universe. Therefore, symbols generated by the Luo Shu and He Tu help connect humankind with heaven (wisdom).
