The significance of the Number 12
I was today years old when I actually learned about the relevance of the number 12. I mean do you know already? If not, scroll down to read!
Coming back to the main topic, I find being an Indian pretty confusing. We are so still under the colonial hangover yet trying to back to our roots too. We love to converse in English yet our English is never taken seriously outside India. We officially follow the Gregorian calendar but never fail to follow Saka Era or schedule auspicious ocassions according the various calendars being followed.
So I was really taken aback when my parents expressed their wish to celebrate our 12 th wedding anniversary with great pomp and show. I knew about a decade. Well that was in 2021, when the pandemic was its peak. What happened to 12 years? According to them, 12 years meant a "yug" and that's what they wanted to cherish with their loved ones. My parents hadn't thrown a big party since years and they needed an excuse for a get together. I, having no other choice, supported them in whatever way I could...like talking to the party planner, designing invites et al.
However yesterday I sat down thinking about the importance of the number 12. I mean I know 11 is considered holy and so are odd '1' numbers like 1001, 21, 101, etc etc. Upon researching, I found out that The symbolic significance of the number twelve is probably that of the restoration of dharma or the expiation of guilt. Purna Kumbha is celebrated every 12 years, Mantras, Japas and Pranayama are done in multiples of 12, it takes 12 years to break a habit or form a practice etc etc. Also, according to Hindu mythology, 12 years of earth days is equal to one day of Lord Brahma. How fascinating!
The number 108, which is considered one of the most sacred numbers in Hinduism; is a multiple of 12. And according to numerology, the number 12 is a reminder to work on your personal relationships and strive to be the best you can be. Focusing on positive things will help you to have the best time in your life. The number 12 is also associated with the angelic realm, so it may be a sign that you're receiving guidance from the angels.
Last, but not the least, the number 12 is strongly associated with the heavens—the 12 months, the 12 signs of the zodiac, and the 12 stations of the Moon and of the Sun.
Coming to the celebrations, the menu was even more elaborate than our wedding. 12 years back, there weren't prawns on the menu (only various variants of chicken, mutton and fish) . So this time around, there was this famous Bengali delicacy : Tiger prawns in coconut curry along with the hot dishes of mutton and chicken that Bengalis relish. Also there was Baked Bhetki too, which was a crowd heart winner. Of course that goes without saying that there was a pure vegetarian menu too as my in laws side don't even like to smell eggs. That may be a tiny example how complicated my life is 😂
The celebration was exactly how my parents wanted it to be. Now I have a bit of a rant here. So how important are gifts for parties? I mean of course I will never turn up anywhere empty handed. I love gifting and I put a lot of efforts and thoughts into it. However over the years I have realised that some people treat it more like a chore. Actually I am sure that hosts never expect gifts. The presence of the guests is more valuable. Then why do some people think they can get rid of their home's clutter by dumping off at a party? I am sure you can relate what I am trying to say here. Some people don't even care to check whether the stuff that had been lying around is in a givable condition or not. Sometimes I really feel like putting up a small post script on the invite that kindly don't bring gifts. I have enough stuff to deal with already (influencer life problems) but that really does not seem polite so I don't. However I do wish that people realize that a party isn't the place to get rid of someone's clutter.
That being said, I am incredibly grateful for all the thoughtful gifts I receive from my loved ones. Gifts are symbolic of blessings and hold special memories; so I really value them and hence my thoughts on those who treat them with disrespect.
Anyways, enough for now. These 12 years have been the biggest lessons ever of my life!
This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Mads' Cookhouse.
20 comments
Congratulations to you on the 12 years! I always loved the number 12 until my dad passed away a week before I turned 12 on the 12th of the 12th month in house number 12. So after that I've always had mixed feelings around the number 12.
ReplyDeleteGot to get this knowledge from your post, the significance of no.12. I really have a very bad brains on numbers and many other such insightful things. But, I got to learn this rom you. About, pictures you told correct that how every happy picture doesn't mean things are good and also how they rejuvenate our lives.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Best wishes so you can celebrate many more 12 years being added to your wonderful relationship. As usual. loved seeing your pics!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations and best wishes to both of you. Many more celebration to come there. After reading your post come to know the significance of number 12. I never read or think like it.
ReplyDeleteSo much of importance to number 12, I had no idea it meant so much, specially that 12 years meant a yug and it meant equal to one day of lord Brahma. Congratulation's to you both on completing these 12 years.
ReplyDeleteDear Mandira, I myself being an astrologer is having a good command over number 12 in astrology and numerology and so its quite easy for me to relate to your post.... but wait... wait ... wait..... Happy 12 anniversary my dear and I wish you many more happy years together with your hubby. I liked the way you presented the concept of number 12 in the post and I appreciate that... but what I like most in the whole post is your honesty in regards to the gifting aspect and I am glad that I am not the only one and have someone like me who calls spade a spade. Seriously I dont understand how can people do that by rolling over received gifts just because the fact they dont need it and that too without knowing if that adds any value for the new recipient or not. Its not bad to give excess or not required items in gifts to people for whom it will be useful but that should be with conscious notification to receiver. Its better not to offer it as gift but rather as an item which can be useful to others. Gifts should be something where you invest your own money to buy for something. Thanks for such an honest post.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting topic to blog about.Happy 12th anniversary and wish you many more to celebrate together.Yes, we find the number 12 in many places in Indian numerology. It is a significant number.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to you both on your 12th anniversary. I knew the significance of 11 but not of 12. Learn something new today. Ditto on the gifts. Sometimes they are just treated as a chore. The passing the parcel too needs to stop.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the anniversary. And that was a super cool way of sharing all about the number 12. I didn't the moon and Sun had 12 stations, so that's good learning.
ReplyDeleteSuch lovely celebration pictures! Happy Anniversary to both of you!
ReplyDelete12 indeed has great significance and I have read about it before. Our ancestors were immensely intelligent and have beautifully connected our rituals with natural occurrences. Cool no?
Firstly congratulations on ur 12th anniversary, this blog actually has me go in too much detail of number 12. It was nice to know so many things.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations and Happy 12th Anniversary Mandira. It was nice to read about the number 12... I wasn't aware of so many things so your post was informative in that way. Lol... I found the gift thingy so funny cuz I have experienced it too. I liked the way u linked the two things in one post.
ReplyDeleteP.S: Lovely pics... you are one hot diva Doc😉.. kaveri.
Happy 12th anniversary and wishing you happiness. 12 is auspicios and mum's birthday month is december and see is been most intellectual and great strength to my life.
ReplyDeleteFirstly many congratulations on 12 years of togetherness and wishing you many more happy years ahead. Your blog was extremely informative and I loved the significance of the number 12. PS: I loved the sea food delicacies you served the guests and my mouth literally watered.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting blog. I had no clue of the significance of the number- but happy anniversary!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your 12th anniversary. You look so pretty. God bless you and your family. I didn't know that 12 held so much significance. Learnt something new today.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a cute article! Happy 12!!! I guess, we all have our own significant number that we associate with our lives. What's important is that we see the positive things these numbers gives in our lives and makes the experiences and memories we link to those numbers more special. - MommyWithAGoal
ReplyDeleteCool post- I learned quite a bit more about the number 12. Congratulations to you two and many more to come.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all I loved all your pictures and second this post is very interesting. I did not know the symbolic significance of no 12. Now after reading your post, I am thinking more about the number games. Amazing write up.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Mandira! Wish you many more 'dozen' celebrations together!
ReplyDeleteNoor