Liberty Enlightening the World (The Statue of Liberty) is a shrine to the democratic ideal of a perfect, enlightened society where citizens enjoy the highest degree of civilized freedom. It was a gift to the people of the United States by the people of France. It is an icon synonymous with New York and one of the most popular visitor attractions in NYC.
The ideas that the work represents are not just embodied in name terminology or abstract concepts but also in numbers and measurements. In this particular case the number 7 is the numerological concept that reasserts itself the most.
Before we get into details on how this idea of perfection is reflected on Liberty Enlightening the world, let us look at the significance of the number 7 as reflected in our culture:
On the best-selling book of all time, The Bible, the number 7 represents divine perfection, totality, or completion and is mentioned at least 490 times (54 in the Book of Revelation alone). Here are some of the references:
- No animal could be sacrificed until it was seven days old (Ex 22:30).
- There were seven “I AM’s” in the Gospel of John that Jesus used when He spoke of Himself.
- The Lord would discipline Israel up to sevenfold (up to seven times) if they refused to obey Him (Lev 26:18).
- Jesus mentions seven woes (or judgments) on the unrepentant in Matthew 23.
- Jesus also mentions seven parables in Matthew 13.
- There were seven letters to the seven churches in the Book of Revelation (2, 3).
- There were also seven trumpets announcing judgments by God in the Book of Revelation (8).
- There were seven signs given in the Gospel of John.
- There were seven pairs of clean animals that were received into the Ark (Gen 7:2).
- Joshua and Israel marched around Jericho seven times while seven priests blew seven trumpets before the walls came crashing down (Joshua 6:3-4).
- Elisha told the military commander Naaman to bathe in the Jordan River seven times and he would be healed of his leprosy (2 Kings 5:10).
- There were seven qualities or attributes of the Messiah mentioned in Isaiah 11:2.
- There are seven things that the Lord hates mentioned in Proverbs 6:16
- There were seven stems on the lamp-stand in the tabernacle (Ex 25:37).
- There were seven angels pouring out seven bowls of the wrath of God in the Book of Revelation (16:1).
Furthermore there are the 7 colors of the rainbow, 7 musical notes, 7 continents , 7 seas, 7 days of the week and more. Not only is this a Western phenomenon; it is also reflected in other cultures.
Let us now look at how the number seven reflects on Liberty Enlightening the World:
The light that shines from Liberty’s torch is not just symbolic of liberty. It also envelops or covers and reaches every nook and cranny of the whole planet. Surrounding that symbolic fire are 16 reliefs or raised sections. To reduce 16 we add 1+6= *7*
The sculpture’s diadem has *7* rays and below those rays 25 windows (25 reduces to 2+5=*7*).
From top to bottom the work measures 151 feet. 1+5+1= *7*. Diving deeper; the work is really 151 feet and 1 inch tall. 151 is equal to 1812 inches + 1 more is =1813 inches. Not all numbers are divisible by seven but 1813/7=259. 2+5+9=16 and reducing further we get 1+6=*7*
There are other assertions of the number 7 in the work; including the pedestal.
Liberty Enlightening the World is the greatest symbol of American Democracy. Is American Democracy perfect? No. But it is the best we have in the world today.
New York has attracted, and keeps attracting people from all aver the world. NY is a city where access to people and other resources facilitates individuals with rich opportunities that help them organize so to make manifest their dreams and aspirations. This and more all while creating opportunities for others and helping organize life on the whole planet.
Freemasons are involved in many aspects of American cultural organization. They were involved in bringing together Liberty Enlightening the World. Freemasons are a real organization. On official Masonic portraits subjects have their right hand hidden from view. Symbolically this is to suggest that their work is being guided by the invisible hand of God.
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