The history of Sudoku is a story which begins in the United States, travels around the world, and returns back to the United States after twenty six years. Almost everyone today has seen a Sudoku puzzle. The uncompleted 9X9 number grids can be found in the majority of newspapers, puzzle …
Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790), a Founding Father of the United States, is known to have excelled in multiple studies. He was a recognized polymath and one of the most influential personalities of his time. But one of Franklin’s lesser celebrated accomplishments was his amusement in creating magic squares, and even magic …
The most recognized word square, known as the Sator Square, contains a mysterious collection of letters. The five, five letter words, positioned inside a 5×5 grid, form a most impressive palindrome of SATOR AREPO TENET OPERA ROTAS. A palindrome is a word/sentence which can be read both forward or backward. …
The 3×3 magic square is believed to provide much wisdom to those who study it. Since it houses the numbers one through nine in an arrangement considered magical, it is of no wonder why. From its first appearance, this grid of nine cells has captured the fascination of many with …
Considered to be one of the great, 8th century alchemists, Jabir ibn Hayyan (also known as Geber) held the 3×3 magic square with the highest esteem. This numerical grid contains the numbers 1 thru 9, in such a way, that the sum of every row, column, and diagonal, render the …
Albrecht Durer (1471-1528), in his 1514 engraving entitled Melencolia I, proves that indeed, ‘A picture is worth a thousand words’. Filled with alchemical and mystical objects, a viewer could become lost in the forest of meanings. Each item holds numerous layers of interpretation and I certainly won’t even begin to …
The first recognized magic square in history traces back thousands of years ago to a story found within the ancient Chinese manuscript called the Yih King or Book of Changes. The fascinating tale relates how rising from the overflowing River Lo, a turtle appeared with a mysterious pattern etched upon its shell. Described …
Dedicated to the Passion, the façade facing the setting sun of the Sagrada Familia consists of numerous scenes. The Passion façade, which is opposite of the Nativity façade (on the Northeast side), shares the events leading up to the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. Each scene, along with its surrounds, …
