Chaldean numerology is less well known in the modern world compared to Pythagorean numerology. There are some claims or ideas about what the differences between the two approaches are. Unfortunately, most of these claims are controversial or fake news. Such simplifications put many numerologists in the awkward position of making or repeating nonsensical claims. So, what are the fundamental differences and similarities between these schools? Below, I present some of the established claims about the differences between the two, along with my commentary.

1. In Chaldean numerology, the Latin alphabet is numbered by finding phonetic equivalents in the numerical systems of Western Semitic alphabets. Pythagorean numerology, on the other hand, ignores the phonetic aspects of the individual letters, but numbers the letters of the Latin alphabet in such a way that they correspond to the current order of the letters, either in the English alphabet or in the alphabets of other peoples.

THE STATEMENT IS TRUE. Chaldean numerology does indeed look for the answer in the ancient way of ordering numbers and letters in relation to phonetic values. Today’s Chaldean numerology, however, is no longer completely tied to phonetic values, either in the Latin or in the Hebrew script, but uses general approximations.

2. In Chaldean numerology, the number 9 is never used when numbering the letters of the alphabet because it is considered sacred.

IT IS FAKE NEWS. This claim was made by Cheiro in 1926.[1]  Since Cheiro is the most popular Chaldean numerologist, this falsehood has been spread by many other numerologists who have followed Cheiro’s teachings.[2]  Cheiro’s claim can be easily debunked by examining the ancient alphabet and its Chaldean numbering. One of these letters is the letter Ṭet (the voice of Ṭ), which has the value 9. Another letter is the letter Ṣade (the voice of Ṣ), which has the values 9, 18 and 90 (depending on the numbering model used; even in the case of 18 and 90, the digits add up to 9). The reason why the Chaldean alpha-numerical code of Latin alphabet does not have the number 9 is simply that in Europe the voices Ṭ and Ṣ do not have universally accepted specific letters. The Czechs, Poles, Croats and Slovenes have a voice called Ts, which is pronounced similarly to Ṣ, but they use the letter C, which has a value of 3, to spell this voice.

3. Chaldean numerology is more tradition-based, while Pythagorean numerology is more concerned with finding new ways of interpretation.

THE STATEMENT IS PARTIALLY CORRECT.  Especially from the numerologist Cheiro onwards, Chaldean numerology is strongly linked to traditional meanings of numbers and to traditional correspondences between numbers. Modern Pythagorean numerology, on the other hand, breaks more from tradition in its interpretation and seeks modern approaches. There is certainly no black and white picture here. Innovations are found in both approaches, but there are also examples in Pythagorean numerology of a returning to older traditions.

4. Pythagorean numerology was developed by the Greek philosopher Pythagoras, while Chaldean numerology was actually developed in ancient Persia or ancient India.

THE STATEMENT IS INCORRECT. The first examples of the use of Pythagorean numerology are found in the Pythagorean numerologist Philolaus, although we cannot exclude the possibility that the foundations of this numerology were indeed developed by Pythagoras. The earliest examples of the use of  numerology are found among the ancient Arameans and Jews. It is almost certain that the Chaldeans also began to use this numerology. However, it is not necessarily true that the Chaldeans were the first to develop this kind of numerology. Pandit Sethuraman claimed decades ago that Chaldean numerology originated in India. He does not offer adequate evidence for this claim. Moreover, by studying the history of ancient peoples, it appears that this numerology was formed among the Western Semites, although it is probably not possible to determine with which of these people it originated. Cheiro describes how he received the knowledge of numerology from Indian Brahmins.[3]  By analysing Cheiro’s book on numerology, we come to the specific names of these “Indian Brahmins”: the British numerologist Sepharial aka. Walter Gorn Old, the Australian Jew Isidore Kozminsky, the American numerologist Luo Clement and others. So, although he may have got some of his knowledge from Indians, in general it is a deliberate deception to which almost all present-day Chaldean numerologists have fallen prey.

Danish numerologist Danielsson went a step further, presenting the idea that Chaldean numerology developed in ancient Persia.[4] He did not offer any substantial evidence for this claim. He only offered a nice story about his Iranian teacher who showed him millennia-old tablets which supposedly preserved records of Chaldean numerology. These plates are said to contain the very same descriptions of the numbers 10-32, 37, 43 and 51 as Cheiro describes in his 1926 book.[5] Cheiro’s descriptions of the numbers are derived from even older descriptions of the numbers by 19th and 20th century European numerologists, so this teacher -if he existed- could only have been passing on Cheiro’s descriptions of the numbers.

5. In Pythagorean numerology, numbers are primarily interpreted as odd or even, while in Chaldean numerology, there is a distinction between strong numbers (1, 3, 5, and 6) and other numbers.

THIS CLAIM IS ONLY PARTIALLY TRUE. In Pythagorean numerology, we do indeed often find the numbers separated into odd and even, but representatives of this school sometimes use other ways to explore the nature of the numbers and the correspondences between them.

6. The meanings of the numbers 9, 11, and 22 differ between the two schools.

THIS CLAIM IS NOT ENTIRELY TRUE. Most modern Pythagorean numerologists define these numbers differently from the way Chaldean numerology defines them. In doing so, modern Pythagorean numerologists rely primarily on the traditions of the Tarot without understanding the inner structure of Tarot numerology or the numerology of the Major Arcana. Over a hundred years ago Pythagorean numerologists interpreted the numbers 9, 11 and 22 differently, sometimes even adopting the Chaldean interpretation. On the other hand, some modern Chaldean numerologists have adopted the meanings of the numbers 9, 11 and 22 as they are usually described by Pythagorean numerologists.[6]  Linda Goodman considered the numbers 11 and 22 only in the rules for adding the first and last names to the total name numbers.[7]

7. Pythagorean numerologists do not attribute a major role to compound numbers other than 10, 11 and 22, while Chaldean numerologists describe compound numbers up to and including 52.

THE STATEMENT IS FALSE. There are several Pythagorean numerologists who described numbers above 9 (Cochran, Laurie, Adams, etc.). In addition, Chaldean numerologists from the 19th century and the early 20th century were influenced by Tarot theory and described numbers such as 55, 65, 69, and 71. Pandit Sethuraman, however, stopped at the number 108.[8]

8. When analyzing birth data, Pythagorean numerology uses the Life Path number, while Chaldean numerology uses the day of the month.[9]

THIS STATEMENT IS FALSE. Some Pythagorean numerologists as early as the beginning of the 20th century used the number of the birthday of the month. On the other hand, the Chaldean numerologist Walter B. Gibson used the Life Path number when analysing birth data. Many modern Chaldean numerologists use both numbers.

9. In Chaldean numerology, when analyzing birth data, the day of the month, month number, and year number must be interpreted separately.

THIS IS FAKE NEWS. This claim was made by Cheiro in 1926.[10]  Since Cheiro is the most popular Chaldean numerologist, this untruth was spread by many other numerologists who followed him. The addition of all three date numbers appeared already in ancient numerology.

10. In Pythagorean numerology, vowel numbers, consonant numbers, and whole numbers are used, while in Chaldean numerology, only whole numbers are used.

THIS IS FAKE NEWS. In Pythagorean numerology, the division into vowel numbers, consonant numbers and whole numbers is found as early as the second century AD. In Chaldean numerology, the first examples of the use of vowel and consonant numbers are found in the 19th century. Influenced by Pythagorean numerology, the use of vowel and consonant numbers is also found in some modern Chaldean numerologists.

11. Pythagorean numerology is more material, while Chaldean numerology is more spiritual. Thus, the former is to be used more in describing character and career, the latter in describing karma or destiny.[11]

THIS CLAIM IS MORE OR LESS UNTRUE. If certain numbers truly chart a life path, then they describe our destiny. If numbers do not describe the course of destiny, such numerology is not valid. On the other hand, in Chaldean numerology, numbers are also used to determine their influence on an individual’s character, career, health, and relationships.

12. In Pythagorean numerology, vowel numbers represent emotions and relationships, whereas in Chaldean numerology, such numbers have a more spiritual aspect.

THIS STATEMENT IS ACCURATE BASED ON MY RESEARCH. This is a case which essentially deviates from the general rule in point 11.

13. Pythagorean numerology is not related to astrology, while Chaldean numerology is.[12]

THIS STATEMENT IS ONLY PARTIALLY TRUE. Pythagorean numerologists generally do not focus on finding connections between numbers and planets. Chaldean numerology, on the other hand, generally links numbers to planets or even to zodiacal signs. However, there are also Pythagorean numerologists who advocate for a connection between numerology and astrology. The father of modern numerology, Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa, was a Pythagorean numerologist who, in the 16th century, adopted the Chaldean model of linking numbers with planets! He was followed a century later by the Pythagorean numerologist John Heydon.

14. Pythagorean numerology has techniques for predicting fate by using numbers for each year, month and day, while Chaldean numerology is largely unconcerned with predicting the future.

THE STATEMENT IS NOT VERY TRUE. Pythagorean numerology has now been using universal and personal days, months and years and the four pinnacles for nearly a century. According to my information, before this, it did not use any specific predictive techniques. Classical Chaldean numerology did have some approaches for studying the future, but Cheiro largely discouraged Chaldean numerologists from this exploration. He placed more emphasis on astrology and palmistry for his predictions. Today, many Chaldean numerologists are adopting Pythagorean predictive techniques. Personally, I am quite critical and reticent about such approaches. I will discuss this further at another time.

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[1] Cheiro (1935): Cheiro’s Book Of Numbers.  Herbert Jenkins, London. Pg 70-71. Original book is from 1926.

[2] For example, Moore, Gerun; Setley, Ruth Ericsen (1973): Numbers Will Tell. Artur Barker Ltd, Great Britain. Pg. 63-70; Lagan, Heather Alicia (2019): Chaldean Numerology For Beginners. Llewellyn Worldwide Ltd, USA. Pg. 7; Uber, Anmarie (2013): 5 Numbers of Destiny. Change your fate – using the lost art of Ancient Numerology. Tuggle Publishing. Fort Wayne, Indiana. Pg. vi.

[3] Cheiro (1935): Cheiro’s Book Of Numbers.  Herbert Jenkins, London. Pg 93. Original book is from 1926.

[4] Daniellson, Darius August: The history of numerology – taken from explained https://numerologytoolbox.com/numerology/history-of-numerology/  (retrieved on august 12^th 2024); also from the same author: https://numerologytoolbox.com/chaldean-numerology-education-training-foundation/ (retrieved on august 12^th 2024)

[5] Daniellson, Darius August: Chaldean Numerology – a deeper understanding– taken from https://numerologytoolbox.com/numerology/chaldean-numerology/ (retrieved on august 12^th 2024)

[6] For example: Mykian, William (2011): Numerology Made Easy. Xlibris Corporation, Lightning Source UK Ltd, Uk.

[7] Goodman, Linda (1987): Linda Goodman’s Star Signs. The Secret Codes of the Universe. Richard Clay Ltd, London. Pg. 157, 160, 162.

[8] Sethuraman, Pandit; Guruswamy, V.S.  (2014). Science of Fortune. Guruswamy LLC, Chennai.

[9] Uber, Anmarie (2013): 5 Numbers of Destiny. Change your fate – using the lost art of Ancient Numerology. Tuggle Publishing. Fort Wayne, Indiana. Pg. vi. 

[10] Cheiro (1935): Cheiro’s Book Of Numbers.  Herbert Jenkins, London. Pg 10. Original book is from 1926.

[11] Compare with: Uber, Anmarie (2013): 5 Numbers of Destiny. Change your fate – using the lost art of Ancient Numerology. Tuggle Publishing. Fort Wayne, Indiana. Pg. vi.  

[12] Uber, Anmarie (2013): 5 Numbers of Destiny. Change your fate – using the lost art of Ancient Numerology. Tuggle Publishing. Fort Wayne, Indiana. Pg. vi.