108 The Magic Number

For centuries, 108 has been considered a significant number and it shows up over and over again in Yoga, Science, Nature, Mathematics and in many religions and cultures.

The number 1 represents The Begininng. Awareness. Consciousness.

The number 0 represents Emptiness. Stillness. Freedom from the limitations of thought.

The number 8 represents Infinity. Eternity. Forever. The Present Moment.

​

In Yoga, 108 refers to spiritual completion: Conscious awareness in each present moment.

​ Ancient Yogi's believed that by attuning ourselves to 108 we could align ourselves to the rhythm of creation and cosmic order. This is why breathing exercises and chanting mantras are often completed in cycles of 108 using the beads to count.

​

108 Beads are also known as Mala's (string of beads) or Prayer Beads and they have been used since 1700BC(!) to help focus the mind.

Why 108?

No-one really knows. However, 108 is a significant number and appears over and over again in our Universe...

​

Take a look at the diversity of where 108 shows up... all over the world... and beyond!

​

108 names for Buddha in Buddhism

108 names for Shiva in Hinduism

108 Upanishads in the Vedas

108 stages for the soul on its path to enlightenment according to Buddhism

108 houses & planets in astrology

108 energy centres in the body

108 Tantric texts.

​

108 times the sun's diameter is the distance between the earth and the sun

108 times the earth's diameter is the diameter of the sun

108 times the moon's diameter is the distance between the earth and the moon

​

108 degrees are the angles of a pentagon. In alchemy the five points of a pentagon signify the interconnection of the four elements (Air, Fire, Water, and Earth) united by the fifth element ‘Spirit’.

​

108 times a bell is chimed at New Year in Japanese Buddhist temples to finish the old year and welcome the new one, each ring represents one of 108 earthly temptations a person must overcome to achieve nirvana.

​

108 letters (male & female) in the Sanskrit alphabet. The Sanskrit language is known as a 'Sacred Language' because for the most part it is used only for writing Prayers and Sacred writings.

​

108 forms of traditional Indian dance.

​

108 letters (male & female) in the Sanskrit alphabet

108 degrees longitude runs through or very near several extremely important sites: Chaco Canyon, Aztec Ruins

108 servants of Krishna.

108 feet is the diameter of Stonehenge Sarsen Circle

108 sacred books constitute the holy writings for Tibetans

108 is a Harshad number, divisible by the sum of its digits (Harshad is from Sanskrit, and means "great joy"

108 prayer knots are tied in a string of wool in Sikhism.

108 small Buddha’s are carved on a walnut for good luck.

Oh and in Maths 108 is known as an 'Abundance' number. Hoorah!!