The Cultural Connotations of Numbers in Arabic Linguistic Tradition Arap Dil Geleneğinde Sayıların Kültürel Çağrışımları

Abstract

This article focuses on analyzing the semantic and symbolic significance of numbers in Arab culture, based on the premise that numbers in Arab culture are not limited to their literal meanings but also carry numerous symbolic connotations rooted in the society’s religious and ethical structures. The study addresses numbers with a prominent presence in Arabic linguistic and cultural traditions, such as: three, four, five, seven, eight, ten, forty, and larger numbers like 100, 1,000, 70,000, and 50,000. These numbers have acquired religious meanings through their mention in Qur’anic texts and prophetic traditions, in addition to their appearance in Arabic literature, folklore, proverbs, and idiomatic expressions as expressive tools reflecting moral and social values. This article relies on data extracted from a previous master’s thesis, supported by contemporary academic studies, within a comprehensive framework that explores the symbolic and cultural implications of numbers in social, religious,  and literary contexts.

The number three represents completeness and balance; four symbolizes perfection, wholeness, and cosmic harmony; five denotes order, integration, strength, and protection from evil; seven is considered a sacred number associated with cosmic completeness and widely found in religious rituals and practices; eight signifies totality, transformation, and renewal; ten stands for perfection, blessing, effort, and sacrifice; while forty symbolizes periods of trial, purification, and spiritual growth. As for the large numbers (100, 1,000, 70,000), they convey meanings of multiplied

 reward, vast intercession, and divine mercy.

Keywords: Arabic culture, numbers, symbolism, proverbs, Arabic language tradition, numerals