What Is Gematria? The Ancient Art of Letter and Number Meaning
Gematria gives every letter a number, so words and names carry hidden numeric meaning. Here's how it works.
Gematria is an ancient practice of giving each letter a number, so that words and names carry a hidden numeric meaning. Rooted in Jewish mysticism and the Kabbalah, it's still used today for reflection and study. Here's a simple guide.
What is gematria?
Gematria assigns a numeric value to every letter of an alphabet. Add up the values of a word or name and you get its number — and words that share the same number are seen as connected in meaning. It's a way of reading deeper resonance into language.
How gematria works
In traditional Hebrew gematria, each letter has a set value: alef = 1, bet = 2, gimel = 3, and so on. The famous example is the Hebrew word for 'life' (chai), which adds up to 18 — which is why 18 is considered a lucky, meaningful number in Jewish tradition.
Gematria beyond Hebrew
Although gematria began with Hebrew, people now apply similar systems to other alphabets, including English, giving each letter a value and adding up names or words to explore their symbolic meaning.
What is gematria used for?
Traditionally, gematria is used to study sacred texts and uncover hidden connections between words. More casually, people use it to reflect on the resonance of a name or a meaningful word.
Is gematria real?
Honestly, gematria is an interpretive, mystical tradition — not a science. It doesn't predict events or prove hidden truths. Its value is symbolic and contemplative: a lens for finding meaning, patterns, and connection in language.
Gematria is the mystical cousin of name numerology — see our name numerology guide for the everyday version, and your full reading includes an optional gematria-inspired layer.
Frequently asked
What is gematria?
Gematria is a practice, rooted in Jewish mysticism and the Kabbalah, of assigning a numeric value to each letter so words and names carry a hidden numeric meaning. Words that share a value are seen as connected.
How does gematria work?
Each letter has a value — in Hebrew, alef = 1, bet = 2, and so on. You add up the values of the letters in a word or name to get its number, then look for connections with other words of the same value.
Is gematria real?
Gematria is a symbolic and contemplative tradition, not a science. It doesn't predict the future; its value lies in reflection and finding meaningful patterns in language.
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