4.5 English Finger Symbolism In The '4'th Dimension
Among the ancient Greeks and Romans, awareness of two dimensional position was expressed by the '3' bones of each index finger. The symbolism of the third and the fourth dimensions, '3' dimensional motion and '4' dimensional interaction, was symbolized by the '4' fingers of each hand.
Because this is the '2'nd subdivision of visible finger positions in English, the '4'th dimension is symbolized by the number '3'. Thus, what for Chinese is recognized as the fourth dimension is recognized as the third dimension in English. Geometry considers this to be the second dimension, and not the fourth.
For the model of geometry, the cycle of the moon is the second countable cycle of nature. This is therefore considered to be the second dimension of geometry. How can the second dimension of geometry be symbolized? Look at the shape that is presented by the '4' extended fingers of the hand. (Photo 4.5-1) It clearly suggests the symbolism of the 'plane'. This symbolizes the '4'th dimension of space-time, wherein '4' fingers are used to symbolize '4' distinctions.
Photo 4.5-1
In the '4'th dimension of awareness, there was the second symbolic subdivision of the unity into '2'. The '4'th dimension symbolizes an awareness of '2' subdivisions into '2'. The number '2' with '2' subdivisions can be symbolized mathematically as '22', and as '22 = 4', in the '4'th dimension there is awareness of '4'.
Whereas in Chinese the '4'th dimension symbolizes '4' dimensional interaction, and it is the '3'rd dimension that symbolizes '3' dimensional motion, in English the '4'th dimension symbolizes both '3' dimensional motion and '4' dimensional interaction.
When speakers of Chinese symbolically extend each of the '4' fingers of the hand in the '4'th dimension, the thumb interacts with the still (Yin) finger of each pair when the other finger of the pair is active (Yang). When speakers of English symbolically extend each of the fingers of the hand in the '4'th dimension, the awareness that is symbolized is both motion along each finger and interaction (holding down) of the finger of each pair that is still (Yin) when the other finger of the pair is active (Yang). Motion left and right along each finger and motion up and down the fingers symbolizes motion on an 'area' of space-time. While the thumb is in motion along the active (Yang) finger, the evolved '4' dimensional orientation enables an evolved form of interaction, wherein the palm is able to interact with (hold down) the still (Yin) finger, which is buried in the palm.
In the '3'rd dimension, the Chinese, who orient to the south, are aware of '4' points in the '3' dimensional cycle of time, the day, the one dimensional points of sunrise (when Yang has become equal to Yin), noon (maximum Yang), sunset (when Yin has become equal to Yang), and midnight (maximum Yin). These correlate to the '4' points in the '3' dimensional cycle of space, the earth; sunrise is in the east, noon is in the south, sunset is in the west, and midnight is in the north.
In the '4'th dimension, speakers of English, who face the northeast to orient to time, are aware of '4' areas in the '4' dimensional cycle of time, the month, the four dimensional areas of 'dawn', 'morning', 'noon', and 'dusk'. These correspond to the '4' areas in the '4' dimensional cycle of space, the earth; dawn is between north and east, morning is between east and south, noon is between south and west, and dusk is between west and north.
English orients to the '3' dimensional cycle of the day differently than Chinese. Chinese orients to the fourth dimension from the perspective of the one dimensional 'point'. English orients to the fourth dimension from the perspective of the four dimensional 'area'.
For Chinese, awareness of the motion of light (when light is equal to darkness) begins at the 'point' on the horizon ('horizontal') of sunrise in the east, and awareness of the motion of darkness (when darkness is equal to light) begins at the 'point' on the horizon of sunset in the west. The primary 'point' of the day is when the sun is at its highest 'point' in the sky. This is called 'noon'. The corresponding minimum point of Yang is called 'midnight'. As time is Yin in Chinese, the day is subdivided into '2' halves, light and darkness. 'Noon' is the midpoint of the light, and is the midpoint in the cycle of the day.
For English, awareness of the motion of the day begins in the vertical 'area' of sky in the northeast, and the awareness of the motion of the day ends at the vertical 'area' of sky in the northwest. Notice that sunrise and sunset are one half of one cycle of day apart, whereas dawn and dusk are three quarters of one cycle of day apart. The middle 'area' of the day in English is not the middle of the period of light, as with Chinese, but is the middle of the integrated (Yang) cycle of the entire day. This is called 'noon'.
In modern times, the word 'noon' in English refers to the midpoint of the period of light. However, in ancient Rome, noon occurred halfway between modern noon and sunset. The word 'noon' is related to the word for 'nine', as noon was originally the '9'th hour after the sunrise. As dawn was '3' hours before this, noon was therefore the '12'th hour of the entire cycle of the day, the midpoint of the day.
The '4'th distinction in the cycle of the day is halfway between sunrise and modern 'noon'. For lack of a better word, this will be called herein 'morning'. (Figure 4.5-1)
Figure 4.5-1
Let us now follow the motion of the fingers while observing the three dimensional cycle of time, the day. In order to orient to time in the fourth dimension, the hands are positioned as for orienting to time in the third dimension.
In order to simplify this explanation of the '3' dimensional cycle of the day, the cycle will be explained from the perspective of the '3' bones of the '3' dimensional index finger. This will be modified later to enable understanding from the perspective of the '4' fingers that form the '4' dimensional area.
As time is Yang, the right (Yang) hand, which points to the northern (Yin) quarter of the sky, becomes active (Yang) '1'st (Yang). The '1'st (Yang) motion (Yang) that 'I' see in the cycle of the day is dawn. Unlike Chinese, for which sunrise is a ('1' dimensional) 'point', for English dawn is a ('4' dimensional) 'area' where there is awareness of twilight in the northeast, where darkness (Yin) begins to evolve into light (Yang).
At dawn, the fingers of the right (Yang) hand become active (Yang). The index finger extends forward (Yang) toward the area in the sky of the northeast (Yang), the area of dawn. The thumb is also active (Yang), and extends (Yang) toward the area of the northeast (Yang) at dawn, such that it touches the middle bone of the index finger. The middle bone symbolizes the present, the 'now', and the motion 'now' is the dawn, to which both fingers are pointing. Both fingers are active at the point of the present, as it is here, now that Yang evolves into Yin and Yin evolves into Yang. (Photo 4.5-2)
Photo 4.5-2
The motion (Yang) continues through the cycle of the day. The next finger position symbolizes morning, the area of the day where the light (Yang) is now equal to the darkness (Yin). The index finger is outside of (Yang to) the thumb, and therefore is active (Yang) '1'st (Yang). The thumb is therefore Yin, and becomes active (Yang) '2'nd (Yin). The index finger extends (Yang) forward (Yang) and upward (Yang), with all (Yang) bones pointing in '1' (Yang) direction. The thumb is still (Yin) '1'st (Yang), and so the thumb moves closer (Yin) to the hand, the bones of the thumb bend in '2' (Yin) directions, the distal bone of the thumb points downward (Yin), and the thumb touches the near (Yin) bone of the index finger, the proximal bone.
'I' became aware of the light (Yang) of the day at dawn (Yang). As time has passed, that here and now has moved into the past, and has become part of the there and then. This '1'st (Yang) change in finger position symbolizes what will be my past, at the morning of the day. (Photo 4.5-3)
Photo 4.5-3
The next finger position symbolizes dusk, the area of the day where the darkness (Yin) is now equal to the light (Yang). The Yang finger becomes Yin and the Yin finger becomes Yang. The index finger becomes Yin, and extends less far (Yin) and points toward the left (Yin), with the bones pointing in different (Yin) directions. The thumb becomes more active (Yang), and extends fully (Yang), such that it touches the far (Yang) bone of the index finger, the distal bone. Yin symbolizes the future. The future (Yin) is dusk (Yin). (Photo 4.5-4)
Photo 4.5-4
The next awareness of motion in the cycle of the day is at noon, the midpoint of the cycle of the day. The index finger and the thumb are both relaxed (Yin), such that the bones of the thumb are bent in '2' (Yin) directions and point downward (Yin) and the bones of the index finger are bent in different (Yin) directions and point rearward (Yin) toward the area of southwest (Yin), such that the thumb touches the middle bone of the index finger. The middle bone symbolizes the present, the 'now', and the motion 'now' is at noon, to which the index finger is pointing. At this '2'nd (Yin) point of the here and now in this cycle, 'I' am aware not only of this point of the 'now', but also of the '1'st (Yang) point of the 'now', 'before' in this cycle. 'I' am aware of time in the past and future. (Photo 4.5-5)
Photo 4.5-5
When noon is in the present, 'now', the time that has gone 'before' (Yang) 'now' is symbolized by the Yang index finger. When the index finger was Yang, the thumb was Yin, and so the thumb touched the proximal (Yin) bone of the index finger. The index finger was active (Yang) '1'st (Yang), symbolizing the past (Yang). The Yang index finger symbolizes morning, and when noon is at the point of the 'now', morning is in the past. The future (Yin) that will come 'after' (Yin) 'now' in time is symbolized by the Yang thumb. When the thumb was Yang, the index finger was Yin, and so the thumb touched the distal (Yang) bone of the index finger. The thumb was active '2'nd (Yin), symbolizing the future (Yin). The Yang thumb symbolizes dusk, and when noon is at the point of the 'now', dusk is in the future.
Once the right (Yang) hand has completed the '1'st (Yang) half of the three dimensional cycle of time (Yang), the left (Yin) hand becomes active (Yang) and the right (Yang) hand becomes still (Yin). How does the active (Yang) hand become still (Yin)? The thumb (Yin) relaxes (Yin) '1'st (Yang). The thumb relaxes (Yin) downward (Yin) onto the middle finger. The index finger relaxes (Yin) '2'nd (Yin), across the thumb, such that the index finger points to the center of the chest, the 'I'. (Photo 4.5-6)
Photo 4.5-6
The right (Yang) hand completes its cycle at noon, and therefore it is at noon that the left (Yin) hand, which points to the southern (Yang) quarter of the sky, becomes active (Yang). Just as the right (Yang) hand begins with Yang, the left (Yin) hand begins with Yin.
At noon, the index finger and the thumb of the left (Yin) hand are both relaxed (Yin), such that the bones of the thumb are bent in '2' (Yin) directions and point downward (Yin) and the bones of the index finger are bent in different (Yin) directions and point rearward (Yin) toward the area of southwest (Yin), such that the thumb touches the middle bone of the index finger. The middle bone symbolizes the present, the 'now', and the motion 'now' is at noon, to which the index finger is pointing. (Photo 4.5-7)
Photo 4.5-7
The next finger position symbolizes dusk. The thumb, which is Yin, is '1'st (Yang) when the left (Yin) hand is active (Yang). The index finger extends less far (Yin). The thumb extends fully (Yang), such that it touches the far (Yang) bone of the index finger. The index finger points rightward, but as the left hand is Yin, the bones of the finger orient in '2' (Yin) directions, and now orientation is to the middle (Yin) bone, toward the left (Yin), the direction of dusk. This '1'st (Yang) change in finger position symbolizes what will be my past, at dusk. (Photo 4.5-8)
Photo 4.5-8
The next finger position symbolizes morning. The Yang becomes Yin and the Yin becomes Yang. The index finger extends (Yang) forward (Yang) and upward (Yang), with all (Yang) bones pointing in '1' (Yang) direction. The thumb is still (Yin) '2'nd (Yin), and so the thumb moves closer (Yin) to the hand, the bones of the thumb bend in '2' (Yin) directions, the distal bone of the thumb points downward (Yin), and the thumb touches the near (Yin) bone of the index finger, the proximal bone. (Photo 4.5-9)
Photo 4.5-9
The next awareness of motion in the cycle of the day is at dawn, the end of the cycle of the day. The index finger and the thumb are both active (Yang), and extend (Yang) toward the area of the northeast (Yang), such that the thumb touches the middle bone of the index finger. At this '2'nd (Yin) point of the here and now in this cycle, 'I' am aware not only of this point of the 'now', but also of the '1'st (Yang) point of the 'now', 'before' in this cycle. 'I' am aware of time in the past and future. (Photo 4.5-10)
Photo 4.5-10
When dawn is in the present, 'now', the time that has gone 'before' (Yang) 'now' is symbolized by the Yang thumb. When the thumb was Yang, the index finger was Yin, and so the thumb touched the distal (Yang) bone of the index finger. The Yang thumb was active (Yang) '1'st (Yang), symbolizing the past (Yang). The Yang thumb symbolizes dusk, and when dawn is at the point of the 'now', dusk is in the past. The future (Yin) that will come 'after' (Yin) 'now' in time is symbolized by the Yang index finger. When the index finger was Yang, the thumb was Yin, and so the thumb touched the proximal (Yin) bone of the index finger. The index finger was active (Yang) '2'nd (Yin), symbolizing the future (Yin). The Yang index finger symbolizes morning, and when noon is at the point of the 'now', morning is in the future.
At the '2'nd (Yin) point of the now in the '1'st (Yang) half of the cycle of the day, the right (Yang) hand half, the past (Yang) is light (Yang) and the future is dark (Yin). At the '2'nd (Yin) point of the now in the '2'nd (Yin) half of the cycle of the day, the left (Yin) hand half, the past (Yang) is dark (Yin) and the future is light (Yang). One is light and one is dark. My '2' hands enable me to see into the past and the future.
This explanation of the '3' dimensional cycle of the day introduces the concept of '4' dimensional areas; dawn, morning, noon, and dusk. The '3' dimensional cycle of the day must now be modified in order to symbolize it accurately in relation to the '4' dimensional cycle of the month.
In the '4'th dimension, the '4' fingers are used. Just as with Chinese, the '4' fingers are subdivided into '2' pairs of '2' fingers. The top (Yang) pair is Yang to the Yin of the bottom (Yin) pair. In each pair, the top (Yang) finger is Yang to the Yin of the bottom (Yin) finger. Therefore, the index finger is the most Yang finger and the little finger is the most Yin finger. The middle finger is Yin to the Yang of the index finger, Yin within Yang, and the ring finger is Yang to the little finger, Yang within Yin.
As English orients to the '4'th dimension, the '4' dimensional cycle of the moon (Yin) is primary in English. The moon (Yin) becomes visible at night (Yin). Therefore, the cycle of the day begins at night (Yin). As the cycle of the day begins at night, the cycle of the day begins not with dawn, as explained above, which is the beginning of light (Yang), but begins with noon, which is the beginning of darkness (Yin). (As will be explained later, in modern times the day in English no longer begins at ancient 'noon'.)
As the cycle of the day is based on the cycle of the sun (Yang), the day is Yang. The cycle of the day was the '1'st (Yang) cycle of time of which mankind became aware. Therefore, the day is symbolized by the index finger, which is the topmost (most Yang) finger, the '1'st (Yang) finger.
The month is Yin to the Yang of the day. Whereas mankind was aware of the day (Yang) '1'st (Yang), the month (Yin) was the '2'nd (Yin) cycle of time of which mankind became aware. Whereas the day (Yang) begins at the area of maximum light (Yang), which is the beginning of darkness (Yin), the month (Yin) begins at the area of maximum darkness (Yin), which is the beginning of light (Yang). Whereas the day (Yang) is symbolized by the '1'st (Yang) finger, the most Yang finger, the index finger, the month (Yin) is symbolized by the last (Yin) finger, the most Yin finger, the little finger. The cycle of the month begins with the new moon, when the light (Yang) of the moon is beginning to increase.
To symbolize the cycle of the day on the hand, the middle finger is still, and is held down by the palm. The thumb then goes in motion along the index finger. To symbolize the cycle of the month on the hand, the ring finger is still, and is held down by the palm. The thumb then goes in motion along the little finger. As the cycle of the moon begins with the dawn of the moon, the cycle of the month follows the pattern that was originally described above for the cycle of the day.
In order to orient to space in the fourth dimension, the hands are positioned as for orienting to space in the third dimension.
Just as with time, space is divided into '4' areas. However, unlike with Chinese, which is Yang, and for which the areas of space and time are the same (Yang), English is Yin, and the areas of space and time are different. The areas of space are in the east (the area of orientation to space), south, west, and north. (Figure 4.5-2)
Figure 4.5-2
As space is Yin, the left (Yin) hand is active (Yang) '1'st (Yang). Just as the '4' dimensional cycle of time, the month, begins 'before' me, at maximum Yin, the '4' dimensional cycle of space begins 'before' me, at maximum Yang. The maximum motion that 'I' can see in space is directly before me, in the east. The index finger is extended (Yang) '1'st (Yang), such that it points forward (Yang), toward the area of the east (Yang) and away from (Yang to) the center of the chest. East is the direction of maximum Yang, and the bones of the index finger, which points to the east, all flow in '1' (Yang) direction, forward (Yang).
As the left hand is Yin, the thumb (Yin) extends (Yang) in the '1'st (Yang) half of the cycle. The thumb therefore extends (Yang) to touch the middle bone of the index finger. (Photo 4.5-11)
Photo 4.5-11
At this time, the right (Yang) hand is still (Yin), and the index finger rests (Yin) across the thumb, pointing rearward (Yin) toward the center of the chest (Yin). The right (Yang) index finger points through the center of the chest (Yin) to the area of the west (Yin).
The motion that is before me moves clockwise around to the right, just as do the sun and the moon. The area to the right is the south. As motion moves around to my right (Yin to space), my awareness of that motion decreases (Yin). At the area of the south, stillness (Yin) has grown equal to motion (Yang). This is the area of equal Yin, or Yin within Yang. The area of the south is symbolized by the middle finger. The middle finger is Yang, as it is in the top (Yang) pair of fingers, and yet the middle finger is Yin, as it is the bottom (Yin) finger of the top (Yang) pair. The middle finger symbolizes Yin within Yang. The middle finger points to the south. As the middle finger is in the top (Yang) pair of fingers, all '3' bones of the middle finger point in '1' (Yang) direction. However, as the middle finger is Yin, this direction is not forward, and so is Yin to the Yang of the index finger. When the middle finger extends, the joint of the proximal (Yin) bone of the finger bends, such that the bones of the finger point in a different direction to the metacarpal bone in the hand. To point to the south, the middle finger and the hand point in '2' (Yin) directions. The thumb extends (Yang) to touch the distal (Yang) bone of the middle finger. (Photo 4.5-12)
Photo 4.5-12
The top (Yang) pair of fingers was '1'st (Yang), and began with the top (Yang) finger of the pair. Now, the bottom (Yin) pair of fingers will be '2'nd (Yin), and will begin with the bottom (Yin) finger of the pair. As well, the thumb will relax (Yin) in the '2'nd (Yin) half of the cycle.
As the motion that is at my right, in the south, continues around me clockwise, it reaches the area directly behind me, in the west. As 'I' look forward to the east, 'I' have minimum awareness of motion in the west. The west symbolizes maximum stillness (Yin). The area of the west is symbolized by the little finger. The little finger (maximum Yin) points to the west (maximum Yin). As the little finger is Yin, the bone of the hand and the proximal bone of the little finger point in '2' (Yin) directions. The bone of the hand points forward to the east and the proximal bone points toward the south. The remaining bones subdivide again, such that the middle and distal bones of the little finger point in a '3'rd direction, rearward (Yin) toward the west (Yin). The bones of the little finger and the bone of the hand point in '3' directions, as this is the '3'rd direction. The thumb bends (Yin), and touches the middle bone of the little finger. (Photo 4.5-13)
Photo 4.5-13
My awareness of the motion in the west (Yin), behind me, is at the minimum. This is the area of maximum stillness (Yin) and minimum motion (Yang). From here, the motion continues clockwise to my left. As the left symbolizes Yang (in space), my awareness of motion is increasing (Yang). At the area of the north, motion (Yang) has grown equal to stillness (Yin). This is the area of equal Yang, or Yang within Yin. The area of the north is symbolized by the ring finger. The ring finger is Yin, as it is in the bottom (Yin) pair of fingers, and yet the ring finger is Yang, as it is the top (Yang) finger of the bottom (Yin) pair. The ring finger symbolizes Yang within Yin. The ring finger (Yin) points to the north (Yin). As this is the '4'th direction, the bones again subdivide, and point in '4' directions. The bone of the hand points forward to the east, the proximal bone points toward the south, the middle bone points rearward toward the west, and the distal bone points toward the north. The thumb bends (Yin), and touches the proximal (Yin) bone of the ring finger. (Photo 4.5-14)
Photo 4.5-14
Whereas this explains the positioning of the fingers and thumb to point to each of the '4' directions, during which time the thumb is in motion along the fingers and interacts with the fingers in the '4'th dimension, which symbolizes '3' dimensional motion and '4' dimensional interaction, the actual flow of the fingers is similar to the flow for time. The order of the fingers follows their order in the hand. The index finger points to the east, the middle finger points to the south, the ring finger points to the north, and the little finger points to the west. When the little finger points to the west, the thumb touches the middle bone, the point of the 'now', a '2'nd (Yin) time. At this point in time, the past (Yang) is symbolized by the Yang thumb, and the thumb was Yang when the middle finger pointed to the south; when the west is at the point of the now, the south is in the past. At this point in time, the future (Yin) is symbolized by the Yin thumb, and the thumb was Yin when the ring finger pointed to the north; when the west is at the point of the now, the north is in the future. (Photo 4.5-15)
Photo 4.5-15
As space is Yin, the right (Yang) hand is active (Yang) '2'nd (Yin). As the left (Yin) hand finished by pointing to the west, the right (Yang) hand will begin by pointing to the west. As this is the '2'nd (Yin) hand, the thumb will be bent (Yin) for the '1'st (Yang) and '3'rd (Yang) fingers and will be extended (Yang) for the '2'nd (Yin) and '4'th (Yin) fingers.
In the '1'st position, the bones of the little finger are bent such that they point in '3' directions. The thumb is bent (Yin) and touches the middle bone of the little finger. (Photo 4.5-16)
Photo 4.5-16
In the '2'nd position, the bones of the ring finger extend (Yang) toward the north, bending in '2' directions. The thumb extends (Yang) to touch the distal (Yang) bone of the ring finger. (Photo 4.5-17)
Photo 4.5-17
In the '3'rd position, the bones of the middle finger bend to point in '4' directions, toward the south. The thumb bends (Yin) to touch the proximal (Yin) bone of the middle finger. (Photo 4.5-18)
Photo 4.5-18
In the '4'th position, the index finger points forward (Yang) to the east (Yang). The thumb extends (Yang) to touch the middle bone of the index finger. (Photo 4.5-19)
Photo 4.5-19
When the index finger points to the east, the thumb touches the middle bone, the point of the 'now', a '2'nd (Yin) time. At this point in time, the past (Yang) is symbolized by the Yang thumb, and the thumb was Yang when the ring finger pointed to the north; when the east is at the point of the now, the north is in the past. At this point in time, the future (Yin) is symbolized by the Yin thumb, and the thumb was Yin when the middle finger pointed to the south; when the east is at the point of the now, the south is in the future. (Photo 4.5-20)
Photo 4.5-20