SYMBOLISM OF NUMBERS AND COLORS IN HITTITE AND ANCIENT GEORGIAN WORLD
Abstract
In the ancient East very often we find the symbolism of numbers and colors, naturally neither Hittite nor ancient Georgian world is an exception, where especially, in rituals and prayers numbers and colors are often featured.
It is interesting in Georgian prayers, for example, the distribution of numbers a kind of regularity: In prayers for human health the sacral number three predominates, in agricultural prayers – nine, while in the prayers of the infectious diseases - seven. Three and four were considered as important numbers. Three is a symbol of fullness and perfection. Related to three: the universe distribution into three dimensions (The sky, the intermediate and the underworld); Also, birth-life-death; Person (Body-soul-heart); Three dimensions of the time (Past-present-future); Three dimensions of the space (length- width-height); Three dimensions of substance (Solid-liquid-gaseous) and etc. Four is a symbol of integrity, stability, immobility, the cross. Related to four: four elements of the universe, four sides of the universe, four disaster, four seasons of the year, four types of directional wind, etc. The sum of Three and four creates new sacral value seven. It is called a magic number. It expresses the idea of the unity of world. Nine and twelve had an important load. As in Hittite as Georgian mythology we see for example: nine skies, nine mountains, nine seas. Twelve reflects the cosmic order. At the time of sacrifice the Hittites were paying a lot of attention to cattle or small cattle (bulls, sheep, etc.), as well as the number of specially baked breads. There was also ancient Georgian tradition, there should have been a certain number of victims.
In the ancient East, including the Hittites and the ancient Georgian faith, the symbolism of colors also had the greatest load in the performances, where dominant were basically three colors: white, red and black. The color white was a symbol of sky, of light, goodness, life, happiness, freedom, of heaven. Black on the contrary - night, darkness, death, hell, respectively expressed betrayal, grief, mourning, misfortune, evil, in every way bad. Red color - the earthly world; On the one hand, life and revival and on the other hand, the color of illness. These colors took very important place in prayers and in magical acts as in Hittite as well in Georgian rituals and magical acts. In addition to these colors over time the other colors also took on a religious, healing, magical character. Of great importance was the color of the sacrificial animal, as well as the colors of clothing, inventory, and other necessary items during the ritual. In Hittite black color of sacrificial animal is related to the underworld and deities of the underworld, while white is related to the sky and deities of the sky. It is similar in Georgian mythology and rituals. Blue is less mentioned in rituals and prayers than other colors, but still mentioned. The color blue also appears in ancient Georgian prayers, for example, in ancient times, in case of migraine in Georgia, a prayer written on blue paper was wrapped around the patient's head. The Hittites also used blue wool in case of headaches. In Hittite rituals and prayers, we seldom turn green and yellow. The green color in Georgian prayers turns into yellow, thus ending the disease and life, withering is expressed. The above colors are found in various combinations in prayers and rituals. Generally, up to five colors are used in combinations. Namely combinations: white and black - purity and impurity, red and black - life and death, black and yellow - magic, etc.
The symbolism of numbers and colors had a great importance as in Hittite as in ancient Georgian beliefs, rituals, prayers. In a number of cases, there are similar beliefs between these two worlds, similar meanings, symbolic load, what must be the result of historical, political and cultural ties.
Keywords: Hittites, ancient East, ancient Georgian world, symbolism, color, number.
