The significance of numbers - Science Fiction Fantasy Chronicles: forums

pkgrl · 10th June 2003, 03:01 AM

Okay, guys. We've already discussed the significance of the number 101 (Neo's apartment number, referring to him being the One, and also computer code)

I've been doing some essay reading, too, and the room number 303 (at the beginning and the end of The Matrix) refers to Trinity (which means three) who is the first person we see in that room and who revives/resurrects Neo when he's killed in the same room. But the Wachowski brothers said that every number has more than one meaning.

So, with that in mind, what would the significance of the number 23 be? We've already said there are 23 pairs of human chromosomes, which is important since this is the number of people Neo is told to chose for a new Zion.

Also, the license plate of Trinity's car in Reloaded is AL 887. On the official site, the question is posed, what's the significance of this number? Is 8/87 someone's birthday? If it's a biblical reference like Mark 3:11 that we see briefly inside the Neb? What book of the bible begins with A? Acts? Then what's the L for? Or is it something else entirely?

Got any answers/theories/ideas about these numbers?

Spudnik · 10th June 2003, 04:21 PM

ahem:

well: *ahem* *cough* you may not like my thories, but here goes anyway

101 = 2+3 = 8+8+7

get it?

binary 101 = 5, numerology dicates 23 does not equal 23, it equals 2+3, (5), same deal with 887, it is not 887, but 8+8+7, (23) or if you want to take it a step further 23=5.

ta daaa

*ahem*

see?
i told ya.

pkgrl · 10th June 2003, 06:35 PM

Spud! Dude!

You Rock!!!

And to add to that (5 = 101 or 5 = Neo since 101 = Neo) the floor at which Neo and Trinity stop to set their bomb and head to the roof (in The Matrix) was the 41st floor. So 4 + 1 = 5 also.

I think I'm getting the hang of this! Thanks, Spud!

Spudnik · 11th June 2003, 05:39 PM

you sure are welcome!

aint it fun?

but whats the deal with fives?

cersei · 11th June 2003, 06:27 PM

a real astute observation on "5"s in this. Well done Spudnik. Hmm significance of 5?

Well I do read elsewhere that the symbolism of this Neo being the 6th is thar he represents the New Covenant (ie Neo) after the 5 Old Testaments...the difference between New and Old being "love"

Would fit in nicely?

Spudnik · 11th June 2003, 08:14 PM

i thought we see the sixth matrix.
and the choice neo makes will be the seventh?
no?

ways to obtain five:
3!-1 = 5
2+3 = 5
1+4 = 5
5x1 = 5

but i like 3!-1=5 because (trin) (minus) (one[neo]) is 5
or am i being silly?

Spudnik · 11th June 2003, 08:40 PM

just thunk of sumin'

303 (base 4) = 51

!

Dave · 11th June 2003, 09:18 PM

Cypher = A mathematical element that when added to another number yields the same number = Zero.

Neo = An anagram of One.

Switch = Electric or electronic switches can be on or off = Binary = Two.

Trinity = A group consisting of three closely related members, or in Christian faiths, the union of three divine persons, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, in one God = Three.

now I'm reaching a little!

Mouse = A computer pointing device with five "gestures" that can be performed:
point (to place the pointer over an on-screen item), click (to press and release a mouse button), double-click to press and release a mouse button twice in rapid succession, right-click (to press and release the right mouse button}, and drag (to hold down the mouse button while moving the mouse).

Tank = A small Indian dry measure, averaging 240 grains in weight = 2+4+0 = six.

Apoc and Dozer, I have no idea.

pkgrl · 12th June 2003, 12:09 AM

Wow, Dave! But I think you are reaching a bit with Tank and Dozer. They were the only two on board the Neb who were "born free" and both are named for big machines. I think that's really all the symbolism those two need. One was a tool (poor Dozer) and the other more of a weapon.

Apoc was short for Apocolypse according to the Wachowski's.

Trinity and Neo have obvious number conotations with their names, but I don't think the others really do... at least not in any really important way, so I doubt that the fives we mentioned above refer to Mouse.

(And Cypher was supposed to refer to code -- which is what the guy spent most of his time watching -- according to the Wachowski's.)

But I love the logic! Very cool! At least I know now that I'm not the only one who's gone overboard!

Spudnik · 12th June 2003, 09:10 PM

oh, but theres more:
riddle me this?
pkgrl, what do you get if you remove "neo" from "Anderson"?

first to the correct answer wins.
i know it (duh, i made it up!)
but i will give you a hint:
subtraction

Spudnik · 12th June 2003, 10:01 PM

also:
the fives CAN refer to the number of characters that got killed off in the first movie on the neb alone; switch, apoc, mouse, dozer and cypher. this reduces the number of total crew to 4 (well 3 really, coz at the time tank was thought to be dead).
*ahem* 8-3=5 no?
*BIG C-R-A-P-P-I-N HINT***

pkgrl · 13th June 2003, 03:31 AM

Okay, the only number I get is 9 (Anderson in numbercal equivalant) minus one (neo = one) is eight. The number of the Neb's crew before Neo joined up. Is this what you were thinking?

Spudnik · 13th June 2003, 04:15 AM

oooh, close

try it this way:

# of ___ (subtract some of it) = ??

i just dont want to give it away here...yer so durn close...

pkgrl · 13th June 2003, 04:20 AM

Sorry, but 8 is the only number I can get.

Anyone else?

Spudnik · 13th June 2003, 08:47 PM

well i guess not.

so the answer to my riddle:

Anderson has 8 letters. 3 of which are "neo".
as a consequence when you remove neo from anderson, you get a mish-mash of letters totalling 5.

thar ye be, another one.

yeah, i know. im crazy. :reyes:

10th June 2003, 03:01 AM	#1 (permalink)
pkgrl Ultimate J/A shipper! Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Southern California Posts: 2,423	The significance of numbers Okay, guys. We've already discussed the significance of the number 101 (Neo's apartment number, referring to him being the One, and also computer code) I've been doing some essay reading, too, and the room number 303 (at the beginning and the end of The Matrix) refers to Trinity (which means three) who is the first person we see in that room and who revives/resurrects Neo when he's killed in the same room. But the Wachowski brothers said that every number has more than one meaning. So, with that in mind, what would the significance of the number 23 be? We've already said there are 23 pairs of human chromosomes, which is important since this is the number of people Neo is told to chose for a new Zion. Also, the license plate of Trinity's car in Reloaded is AL 887. On the official site, the question is posed, what's the significance of this number? Is 8/87 someone's birthday? If it's a biblical reference like Mark 3:11 that we see briefly inside the Neb? What book of the bible begins with A? Acts? Then what's the L for? Or is it something else entirely? Got any answers/theories/ideas about these numbers?

10th June 2003, 04:21 PM	#2 (permalink)
Spudnik Advanced Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 149	ahem: well: ahem cough you may not like my thories, but here goes anyway 101 = 2+3 = 8+8+7 get it? binary 101 = 5, numerology dicates 23 does not equal 23, it equals 2+3, (5), same deal with 887, it is not 887, but 8+8+7, (23) or if you want to take it a step further 23=5. ta daaa ahem see? i told ya.

10th June 2003, 06:35 PM	#3 (permalink)
pkgrl Ultimate J/A shipper! Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Southern California Posts: 2,423	Spud! Dude! You Rock!!! And to add to that (5 = 101 or 5 = Neo since 101 = Neo) the floor at which Neo and Trinity stop to set their bomb and head to the roof (in The Matrix) was the 41st floor. So 4 + 1 = 5 also. I think I'm getting the hang of this! Thanks, Spud!

11th June 2003, 05:39 PM	#4 (permalink)
Spudnik Advanced Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 149	you sure are welcome! aint it fun? but whats the deal with fives?

11th June 2003, 06:27 PM	#5 (permalink)
cersei Matriculated Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 126	a real astute observation on "5"s in this. Well done Spudnik. Hmm significance of 5? Well I do read elsewhere that the symbolism of this Neo being the 6th is thar he represents the New Covenant (ie Neo) after the 5 Old Testaments...the difference between New and Old being "love" Would fit in nicely?

11th June 2003, 08:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
Spudnik Advanced Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 149	i thought we see the sixth matrix. and the choice neo makes will be the seventh? no? ways to obtain five: 3!-1 = 5 2+3 = 5 1+4 = 5 5x1 = 5 but i like 3!-1=5 because (trin) (minus) (one[neo]) is 5 or am i being silly?

11th June 2003, 08:40 PM	#7 (permalink)
Spudnik Advanced Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 149	just thunk of sumin' 303 (base 4) = 51 !

11th June 2003, 09:18 PM	#8 (permalink)
Dave Wherever I Am, I'm There Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Greater London Posts: 11,531	Cypher = A mathematical element that when added to another number yields the same number = Zero. Neo = An anagram of One. Switch = Electric or electronic switches can be on or off = Binary = Two. Trinity = A group consisting of three closely related members, or in Christian faiths, the union of three divine persons, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, in one God = Three. now I'm reaching a little! Mouse = A computer pointing device with five "gestures" that can be performed: point (to place the pointer over an on-screen item), click (to press and release a mouse button), double-click to press and release a mouse button twice in rapid succession, right-click (to press and release the right mouse button}, and drag (to hold down the mouse button while moving the mouse). Tank = A small Indian dry measure, averaging 240 grains in weight = 2+4+0 = six. Apoc and Dozer, I have no idea.

12th June 2003, 12:09 AM	#9 (permalink)
pkgrl Ultimate J/A shipper! Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Southern California Posts: 2,423	Wow, Dave! But I think you are reaching a bit with Tank and Dozer. They were the only two on board the Neb who were "born free" and both are named for big machines. I think that's really all the symbolism those two need. One was a tool (poor Dozer) and the other more of a weapon. Apoc was short for Apocolypse according to the Wachowski's. Trinity and Neo have obvious number conotations with their names, but I don't think the others really do... at least not in any really important way, so I doubt that the fives we mentioned above refer to Mouse. (And Cypher was supposed to refer to code -- which is what the guy spent most of his time watching -- according to the Wachowski's.) But I love the logic! Very cool! At least I know now that I'm not the only one who's gone overboard!

12th June 2003, 09:10 PM	#10 (permalink)
Spudnik Advanced Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 149	oh, but theres more: riddle me this? pkgrl, what do you get if you remove "neo" from "Anderson"? first to the correct answer wins. i know it (duh, i made it up!) but i will give you a hint: subtraction

12th June 2003, 10:01 PM	#11 (permalink)
Spudnik Advanced Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 149	also: the fives CAN refer to the number of characters that got killed off in the first movie on the neb alone; switch, apoc, mouse, dozer and cypher. this reduces the number of total crew to 4 (well 3 really, coz at the time tank was thought to be dead). ahem 8-3=5 no? BIG C-R-A-P-P-I-N HINT**

13th June 2003, 03:31 AM	#12 (permalink)
pkgrl Ultimate J/A shipper! Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Southern California Posts: 2,423	Okay, the only number I get is 9 (Anderson in numbercal equivalant) minus one (neo = one) is eight. The number of the Neb's crew before Neo joined up. Is this what you were thinking?

13th June 2003, 04:15 AM	#13 (permalink)
Spudnik Advanced Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 149	oooh, close try it this way: # of ___ (subtract some of it) = ?? i just dont want to give it away here...yer so durn close...

13th June 2003, 04:20 AM	#14 (permalink)
pkgrl Ultimate J/A shipper! Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Southern California Posts: 2,423	Sorry, but 8 is the only number I can get. Anyone else?

13th June 2003, 08:47 PM	#15 (permalink)
Spudnik Advanced Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 149	well i guess not. so the answer to my riddle: Anderson has 8 letters. 3 of which are "neo". as a consequence when you remove neo from anderson, you get a mish-mash of letters totalling 5. thar ye be, another one. yeah, i know. im crazy. :reyes: