Thread: Is there anything significant about the number 12?

If you don't think there is special about 12 then there won't be in your dreams, it's just wierd luck I guess

Well, the number 12 probably has some significance to you, or to some problem you are facing, or to your worldview.

In cultural terms, 12 is significant. The 24 hours of our day are divided, in most households, into blocks of 12. Jesus, in whom most Americans profess religious devotion, supposedly had 12 Apostles. The Zodiac has 12 signs.

Whether these and other cultural instances of 12--rather than some unknowable (to me) person meaning you have for it--are causing your dreams, I couldn't say. Naturally, I am very doubtful that the meaning is prophetic, mystical, or otherwise supernatural.

There are simply far too many more mundane explanations available to take the metaphysical ones seriously.

EDIT: Also, the more you convince yourself that 12 is tied to your "destiny," or "karma," or what have you, the more important the number will seem to you, and the more you can expect to see it appear in your dreams.

I'm not saying you have convinced yourself of these things. I'm just pointing out what one might expect from that.

Twelve denotes spiritual strength and divine perfection. It also represents cycles and repetition.

One stands for individuality, individuality solitude, the ego, leadership, originality, beginnings, and a winner. It also stands for a higher spiritual force.

Two stands for balance, diversity, partnership, soul, or receptivity. It can also symbolize double weakness or double strength. There is a duality as in male and female, mother and father, yin and yang, etc.


Numbers in dreams may sometimes not appear directly. Sometimes, numbers can be presented in the number of characters, number of objects, or an action that is repeated a certain number of times. Usually, you want to stick with the basic numbers (1 through 9) when trying to decipher the meaning to multiple digit numbers. For example, the number "1965" could mean the year 1965. But you can also add up the digits until you get one number. Thus 1965 --> 1+9+6+5 = 21 --> 2+1 = 3. However, we have listed some additional "master" or "karmic" numbers which carry their own significance.

Also worth noting is that odd numbers are considered more aggressive then even numbers, while even numbers are considered to be more tranquil.


The number 12 is divisible by 2, 3, 4, and 6. Consider the context the number is used in, ie the tattoo: (To dream that you have tattoos, represent individuality and the desire to stand out in a crowd. You want to be unique and different from everybody else, particularly if you do not have any tattoos in real life.)

Hope this helps

You're just guessing. You could not possibly know any of those things with any confidence, without know far more about nzguy than you reasonably could.

Originally Posted by RCLefty

You're just guessing. You could not possibly know any of those things with any confidence, without know far more about nzguy than you reasonably could.

The information provided come from studies based on dreams. It is provided through a generalized resource of a dream encyclopedia, based again directly on studies of generalized dreams. It may or may not be accurate for the dreamer, since it is generalized, but usually the symbols I refer to in the dream may have several different meanings depending on the context they are used.

I will not take kindly to criticism on this website. My goal is to simply give an analysis of dreams and provide this information to people so that it would further help them understand the possible meaning behind them. It is up to the dreamer to take the information provided and apply it in the context of thier dream to understand what it means. Sometimes I will give my own personal opinion, sometimes not. In this case, I did not.

I am here to help people, not defend myself.

Maybe, maybe not. But you could attach a significance to the number 12 and RC every time you see/think of it so you catch those instances in your dreams and become lucid.

Originally Posted by raquelalexis

The information provided come from studies based on dreams. It is provided through a generalized resource of a dream encyclopedia, based again directly on studies of generalized dreams. It may or may not be accurate for the dreamer, since it is generalized, but usually the symbols I refer to in the dream may have several different meanings depending on the context they are used.

I will not take kindly to criticism on this website. My goal is to simply give an analysis of dreams and provide this information to people so that it would further help them understand the possible meaning behind them. It is up to the dreamer to take the information provided and apply it in the context of thier dream to understand what it means. Sometimes I will give my own personal opinion, sometimes not. In this case, I did not.

I am here to help people, not defend myself.

If you can cite your resources to my satisfaction, I will happily withdraw my criticism.

You can't cite an actual study that lends specifc credence to these interpretations?

There have been plenty of studies by qualified psychologists such as Freud, Carl Jung and Alfred Alder. This site provides information based on various different studies. Do I feel the need to cite specific ones? No.

You are more than welcome to read about these theorists yourself, on dreamstudies.org.

I never claimed to be one of these people, I am simply fascinated and particularly good at picking out symbols in one's dream and providing information about them. Anyone can do what I'm doing. It is up to them to provide themselves with the tools and resources that are available.

Like I said, I'm here to help people. Not defend myself from people like you.
I never said you had to agree with my interpretation, and you are more than welcome to have your own opinion, but please do not attack me with false accusations.

Originally Posted by raquelalexis

There have been plenty of studies by qualified psychologists such as Freud, Carl Jung and Alfred Alder. This site provides information based on various different studies. Do I feel the need to cite specific ones? No.

You may think it's nitpciking, but that is exactly what science requires.

I don't think any such studies exist. This website you link to has a handful of bios for a handful of psychologists, but the bulk of their content comes from hippy-dippy speculation, not from these learned men, who have themselves been subject to drastic revision over the years.

Originally Posted by raquelalexis

I never said you had to agree with my interpretation, and you are more than welcome to have your own opinion, but please do not attack me with false accusations.

Flase accusations? How do you figure? You have no justification for that claim. Until you can demonstrate that what I said was false, you are the one making unsubstantiated slurs, not me.

Originally Posted by RCLefty

You're just guessing. You could not possibly know any of those things with any confidence, without know far more about nzguy than you reasonably could.

That's what I was talking about as far as false accusations.

I am done with this debate/conversation or whatever you want to call it.
I simply want to help someone else, I don't benefit whatsoever in talking about this with you.

You do what you want. I stand by every word I said.

From my personal experience, I would also be inclined to think that perhaps the number 12 has some sort of pre-existing significance to you.

As already mentioned, there are many "universal" reasons for the importance of the number 12.

Although such reasons deserve consideration, it makes sense [in my own humble opinion] that equal weight should be given to your personal experience. Has/does the number 12 pop up in any other areas of your life?

If so, can you draw any parallels from it to the "universal" meanings of 12? I'm honestly curious.

Don't get me wrong, the mathematical and cultural significance of 12 deserves consideration. It's just that when I read a dream interpretation that reads like a horoscope, the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

I think Carl Sagan would agree with me.

...Did I miss something?

Such as...?

Its been really interesting reading though the posts. I appreciate everyone's input.

I've been racking my brain for the past 2 days trying to figure out how the number 12 could be significant in my life, but I'm struggling to come up with anything.

Its a relief to know that the only explanations that have been offered are positive. Although I'm a little sceptical when it comes to sybolism, I will admit that I was concerned that it may signal impending hardship/injury/loss etc. so it is a relief that no one has suggested that

Originally Posted by raquelalexis

(To dream that you have tattoos, represent individuality and the desire to stand out in a crowd. You want to be unique and different from everybody else, particularly if you do not have any tattoos in real life.)

As an 18 year old, I would have to say that you're right about wanting to be unique and form my own identity Also, I don't have any tattoos in real life.

Originally Posted by raquelalexis

Sometimes I will give my own personal opinion, sometimes not. In this case, I did not.

I would be really interested to hear what your personal opinion is if you would be willing to share it. Feel free to PM me if you would rather say through that.

Originally Posted by The Dreaming Zombie

Maybe, maybe not. But you could attach a significance to the number 12 and RC every time you see/think of it so you catch those instances in your dreams and become lucid.

I hadn't thought of that, but its a really good idea. I will make sure I do that whenever I see the number 12.

Originally Posted by acatalephobic

From my personal experience, I would also be inclined to think that perhaps the number 12 has some sort of pre-existing significance to you.

As already mentioned, there are many "universal" reasons for the importance of the number 12.

Although such reasons deserve consideration, it makes sense [in my own humble opinion] that equal weight should be given to your personal experience. Has/does the number 12 pop up in any other areas of your life?

If so, can you draw any parallels from it to the "universal" meanings of 12? I'm honestly curious.

Like I said, I can't think of any way the the number 12 is significant in my life. I don't have many pressing concerns or decisions that I need to make in the near future or anything like that. The only thing I have been pondering seriously in the past couple of weeks is whether I should continue studying at university next year, or travel to Brazil on a "working holiday" to experience another culture and spend time with my friends there. I would then look to resume my study in 2011. I can't see how the number 12 could apply to this though... suggestions/ideas are appreciated as always

As for the universal meaning, I'm not sure how I can draw any conclusions about them. Although I would like to think of myself as a spiritually strong person.

Hmm. The first thing that came to my mind, when I thought about the number 12, was the idea of a cycle coming to an end, like in 12 months. An important time (just think of "High Noon"), where decisions have to be made. Like someone said before me - there are 12 numbers on a clock, so 12 would be the point where you've completed something. After that, something new begins. In the 12th month of the year, you can look back at what you've achieved and maybe think about what lies ahead in the new year. But these are just my associations.

Since these are your dreams, the basic question is what 12 means to you. Maybe thinking about your feelings might help, if you have positive or negative feelings about the number or the contexts in which it occurred in your dreams. The number itself can have so many different meanings that I doubt if thinking about the number itself will help much.

Personally, I think the number is relevant and carries some deeper meaning. Why else would it keep on appearing in your dreams?

Originally Posted by RCLefty

You do what you want. I stand by every word I said.

Didn't have to shoot things down, sheesh. She posted something that she felt relevant.

Originally Posted by The Dreaming Zombie

Didn't have to shoot things down, sheesh. She posted something that she felt relevant.

I didn't say anything personally insulting about anyone. I questioned no one's intelligence, intentions, upbringing, genetics, sanity, or anything of that sort.

We are all entitled to our opinions, and I feel honor-bound to counsel against what I see as bad advice and slipshod interpretations. No one is required to take my advice if they don't want it. To me, it was as if someone recommended treating an illness with crystals or cheap magnetic jewelry.

I respect diversity of opinion between informed individuals, but I also believe in a society that is demographically competent at separating good from bad sources of data.

Originally Posted by RCLefty

I didn't say anything personally insulting about anyone. I questioned no one's intelligence, intentions, upbringing, genetics, sanity, or anything of that sort.

I didn't say that you did.

Originally Posted by RCLefty

We are all entitled to our opinions, and I feel honor-bound to counsel against what I see as bad advice and slipshod interpretations. No one is required to take my advice if they don't want it. To me, it was as if someone recommended treating an illness with crystals or cheap magnetic jewelry.

Advice?

Originally Posted by RCLefty

I respect diversity of opinion between informed individuals, but I also believe in a society that is demographically competent at separating good from bad sources of data.

Aye, but I believe in a society where we at least show some respect to each other. I'll say no more.

Originally Posted by The Dreaming Zombie

Aye, but I believe in a society where we at least show some respect to each other. I'll say no more.

I love that. "I'll give my opinion, and then declare the conversation over."

But...

You have a point. I'll pay more attention to my presentation in the future.

Originally Posted by Siri

Hmm. The first thing that came to my mind, when I thought about the number 12, was the idea of a cycle coming to an end, like in 12 months. An important time (just think of "High Noon"), where decisions have to be made. Like someone said before me - there are 12 numbers on a clock, so 12 would be the point where you've completed something. After that, something new begins. In the 12th month of the year, you can look back at what you've achieved and maybe think about what lies ahead in the new year. But these are just my associations.

Since these are your dreams, the basic question is what 12 means to you. Maybe thinking about your feelings might help, if you have positive or negative feelings about the number or the contexts in which it occurred in your dreams. The number itself can have so many different meanings that I doubt if thinking about the number itself will help much.

Personally, I think the number is relevant and carries some deeper meaning. Why else would it keep on appearing in your dreams?

Yes, I think you might be right. The more I think about it, the more I believe it is my sub-concious's way of reminding me that I have to make a decision before the end of this month (the 12th month) about what I want to do for the next 12.

It's just a shame that it is only giving me the question, and not helping me find the answer

People don't get it, even if 12 does have meaning, it wouldn't in his dreams if he doesn't know that