8 REASONS WHY? by Derek Boosey

Artist Metin Bereketil is a unique artist who has contributed his colorful expressive art to hundreds of charities, primarily through his innovative “Healing Art.”  

When I first viewed his painting – ‘8 reasons, why’, I thought of expressing my thoughts in writing to see why the number 8 has always had a fascination for me. The painting of 8 muscular Olympic type bodies, with expressive hands in place of heads in glorious colors dancing to silent music ‘triggered’ my desire to explore the somewhat mysterious # 8.  

Art is something that is created with imagination and that which expresses important ideas and feelings.

Healing Art helps to restore and make whole again, whereas Therapy Art is the treatment of physical or mental illness. When considering the number 8 one thinks of numerology which leads to the name of Hans Decoz who resides in Houston, Texas  - and who is a noted ‘Master Numerologist’, who has the following expressed thoughts about the number 8. More than any other number, he puts the emphasis where 8 play a part in the areas of career, business, finances and authority. The shape of the number reflects its most important attribute which is first and foremost – Balance. 

Some fun facts regards the number 8, is that the ancient Pythagoreans called 8 ‘the Ogdoad’ and considered it the ‘little holy number’. One can understand why as it also symbolized abundance and power. Pythagorean ism originated in the 6th: century BC, based on the teachings and beliefs held by Pythagoras and his many followers. Further 8 is the atomic number for oxygen and the mathematical symbol of infinity, when it shows number 8 lying on its side. Interestingly, in the world of computers, a byte is 8 bits. 

The only song I could associate with the number 8 is the famous Beatles song which they released in 1964 – ‘8 days a week.’ Where ‘luck’ is considered, the number 8 is very important to Koreans [they hosted the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games] and more specifically to the Chinese. The Opening Ceremony of the Summer Olympics in China began on 8 8 – 08 at 8 seconds and 8 minutes past 8 PM. Where near space is concerned there are 8 planets in our solar system and it takes 8 minutes for the sun’s light to reach the earth. 

From the spiritual point of view, the number 8 is symbolic of an entity that is one step above the natural order, higher than nature and its limitations:

Lakshmi is the Hindu goddess of wealth and the star of Lakshmi is the 8 pointed star made up of two squares. 

In Judaism, the festival of lights lasts for 8 days. It is also known as Chanukah which means “dedication”. It is also called Hanukkah which is an alternative spelling. They both refer to the same Jewish holiday. This important festival commemorates the victory of a small army of Jews [the Maccabees] over the Greek army that occupied the Holy Land in the 2nd: century BC. This was their first battle won for religious liberty and the rededication of the Holy Temple.

The festival of Lights name comes from the Menorah [Candelabra] which has nine branches. One candle is lit on the 1st: night, two are lit on the 2nd: night and so on. On the 8th: night, all nine candles would be lit. 

Two other important Jewish traditions are the rite of Brit Milah which is commonly known as ‘circumcision’ and is held on the baby boy’s 8th: day of life. The other is Tzedakah which is the religious requirements of charity regardless of a person’s financial status. Maimonides has 8 laws of giving. 

In Pre Christianity there were 8 people in Noah’s Ark. They were Noah and his wife, their three sons and their wives. The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is remembered on December 8th: The meaning is that Mary the mother of Jesus was pure and free from sin from the moment she was conceived in her mother’s womb. Mother Mary’s birthday is September 8th: and International Women’s Day is March 8th: 

Buddhists follow an 8 fold path in order to achieve Nirvana [Heaven] and the end of suffering. Buddha’s birthday is celebrated on the 8th: day of the 4th: month in the Chinese Lunar calendar.

According to Taoist Philosophy there were 8 Immortals [not Gods], but had earned eternal life. They had super natural powers, mastered magic and their mission was to fight evil. Buddhism also has 8 auspicious symbols often used in Art – one of them is the famous LOTUS FLOWER. 

Derek Boosey OLY
1968 Mexico Olympics
British Triple Jumper

 

 

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