Over the ages, people have attributed many facts to numbers.
Numerology, superstition, important dates, and so many other things cling to various numbers, which in some cases gives them great significance!
Today let’s take a look at 10 fun facts about the number 5!
The number five is a prime number. In case you weren’t so sure, a prime number is a special number in mathematics that is only divisible by itself and the number one!
The number five is also a Fibonacci number. The numbers in the Fibonacci sequence are found within mathematics more frequently than there is any real explanation for. They’re also found in nature, such as how some tree branches grow, in artichoke flowers, and pine cones.
The atomic number of boron is five. Boron belongs to group 13 of the periodic table; a group called the Boron group. It is most commonly used within different chemical compounds and is a key element in fiberglass.
It’s commonly believed that humans have five senses. These senses, which affect how we take in the world around us, are sound, sight, touch, smell, and taste. These actually aren’t all of our senses, though. We also have a sense of space and a sense of balance. We commonly speak of other senses of such as a sense of direction or a sense of humor, which despite being less scientific, are certain senses of sorts.
The prefix penta means five. For example, a pentagon is a five-sided shape, and a pentagram is a five-sided star!
The symbol of the Olympics is made up of five rings of equal size, often depicted in black and white or colored. When the Olympic rings are colored, they are, from left to right, blue, yellow, black, green, and red. The rings were created in 1913, and their colors (including the white background) were used in every country’s flag that existed at the time. The rings themselves represent the five continents (although not everyone agrees that there are only five continents!).
The number five reoccurs a lot within Hinduism. The Hindu god Shiva has five faces, and the mantra dedicated to him, the Panchakshari, is called the Five Worded mantra. Another main Hindu deity, Saraswati, is connected to the number five. Within Hinduism, the universe comprises five elements: water, fire, air, space, and earth.
The famous French designer Coco Chanel’s favorite number was five. In 1921 she released her perfume Chanel No. 5 on May 5th, which was the fifth day of the fifth month! The perfume was an instant classic that is still a popular and expensive perfume today.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was just five years old when he mastered his first known composition, a Minuet, and Trio in G major. For something created by a five-year-old, it’s actually incredibly well-composed and rather charming. While quite incredible, it comes as no real surprise as this is Mozart we’re talking about!
King John I of France ruled for just five days. He was born on November 15, 1316, and died just five days later. John ruled from the moment he was born as his father, Louis X of France, died before his birth. It was suspected that John’s uncle, Philip V, was somehow involved in John’s death as he was next in line to be king.
Given that the number five is within the first ten numbers, it’s no surprise that it’s ever-present in our life, history, and the natural universe.
It’s a rather modest number, but it’s there in plain light for all to see in naturally occurring Fibonacci sequences or the number of fingers we have on each hand.
Coco Chanel got it right for sure; the number 5 is a good number!
