Astrology
Why Angel Numbers Matter
Making sense of numerical sequences — and what they mean for your life.
Age is just a number, which means you’re never too old to make a wish at 11:11. But do you pay close attention when the clock strikes 2:22? Or 4:44? You should. These timestamps are all examples of angel numbers, and as woo-woo as it sounds, they could contain an important cosmic message.
Sure, it could just be a coincidence — those of us with 14 hours of daily screen time should probably refrain from putting all our eggs in the angel numbers basket — but if there’s a numerical sequence that frequently pops up in your life, either via TicketMaster confirmations or Uber receipts, it could be a sign that the universe is trying to tell you something. Maybe it’s about time you listen.
Every angel number has its own assigned meaning, so in order to receive these cosmic downloads, you’ll have to get familiar with the spiritual significance of each sequence. But first, keep reading for an in-depth debriefing on why angel numbers matter. Depending on the pattern you see the most, it could be the signal you’ve been looking for to continue down your current track or venture off onto a new path.
What Are Angel Numbers?
When people talk about angel numbers, they’re usually referring to a repeating sequence of numbers like 111, 222, 333, and so on. However, the term can also be applied to non-repeating numbers that hold some sort of significance in one’s life, like a birthday or anniversary. Regardless, it’s believed in numerology that these numerical patterns contain important spiritual messages from your angels, spirit guides, ancestors, and/or the universe (dealer’s choice). Some numbers are meant to provide confirmation that you’re on the right path, while others can indicate a much-needed lifestyle change. And though numerology has been around for centuries, the concept of angel numbers found new life in the early aughts when author Doreen Virtue wrote the book on the subject.
From clocks and license plates to timestamps and TikTok likes, angel numbers can appear just about anywhere. So if you’ve been needing some encouragement from the other side lately, remember to keep your eyes peeled on your next walk or FYP scroll — because you never know where your message will come from.
What Is Numerology?
To better understand angel numbers, let’s take a quick crash course on numerology.
Simply put, numerology is the study of numbers and the influence they have on our lives. Within this ideology, each number carries its own unique meaning. And given that they’re believed to be a mystical message from The Great Beyond, it makes sense why angel numbers would have a place in the world of numerology. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, numerology has been around for thousands of years, with the Babylonians, Egyptians, and Chinese all operating under the assumption that numbers are spiritually linked.
Unlike astrology, numerology has no connection to one’s birth date, time, or location. That means the messages you receive through numerology have nothing to do with your personality traits and preferences, and everything to do with your current life circumstances.
Numerology is far from an exact science — or a science at all. As such, don’t live your life at the mercy of the numbers on your phone screen. As with other practices like tarot and palm reading, it’s best to focus your attention on the messages that resonate and ignore the ones that doesn’t.
The number one in numerology not only signifies new beginnings and opportunities, but can also represents themes of independence and leadership as well. As a repeated sequence of one, 111 is viewed as an amplification of this energy — a signal of a major sea change ahead, if you will. It can also suggest you’re in alignment with your true self, or serve as the nudge you’ve been needing to write your next chapter. The tl;dr: if you see 111, get ready for a shift, and keep doing what you’re doing.
The number two represents balance in the eyes of numerology, so it stands to reason that a sequence like 222 could signal a lack equilibrium and stability. Or, if the numerical pattern makes itself present during a particularly chaotic period, it can also serve as a reminder to have faith in the process and persist in the belief that things are unfolding in your favor.
The number three has positive connotations in numerology, representing creativity, teamwork, communication, joy, and inspiration. If you see 333 in the wild, consider it a sign that brighter days filled with self-love and radical acceptance are on the horizon. And if you see the sequence repeatedly, it may be time to put all of your focus on the future, making decisions that will lead you directly to your desired outcome. Evolution isn’t just welcomed, it’s encouraged, but make sure you’re making choices that feel reflective of who you want to be, not who you currently are.
Knowing that the number four represents hard work and stability in numerology, it makes sense why 444 would be associated with success and purpose (and why Kaia Gerber would have it tattooed on her arm). But don’t just take it as a sign that you’ll be rich and famous one day — the sequence suggests that your manifestations are right around the corner, so feel free to use the numerical reminder as an excuse to start preparing for your next chapter. Like all angel numbers, 444 can also be interpreted as a sign to stay on your current path and serve as inspiration to keep the faith.
In numerology, the number five signifies freedom, adventure, and self-sufficiency. For that reason, the sequence of 555 could be an indicator that a much-needed change is on the horizon, one that you’ve likely been waiting on for quite some time. If you’re seeing the number repeatedly, it may be time to do some self-reflection, and figure out how you can get out of your own way so that this new era can come in even faster.
Given that they appear on a clock twice a day, it stands to reason that you probably see the sequences listed above more frequently than other angel numbers sets. But what does it mean when you encounter less-common sequences, like 000 or 999? Let’s break it down.
000
Much like 111, 000 indicates the start of a new journey. The number zero is often associated with potential and infinite opportunities in numerology, so naturally a sequence of three (or more) zeros will only amplify this energy.
666
In some religions, 666 is viewed as a sign of the devil. But in numerology, 666 is considered to be a powerful spiritual message, one that encourages refocus and redirection. If you’ve come across this number, it likely means you’ve lost sight of the bigger picture and need to divert your energy elsewhere. Similarly, it could also be your spirit guides’ way of telling you that your career and well-being are imbalanced — after all, who can ignore a message like 666?
777
Vegas-obsessives know 777 as the symbol of luck, but the sequence has so much more to offer. Because the number seven has a reputation for being a wild card in numerology, the energy surrounding a pattern like 777 can be exciting, exhilarating, and downright electrifying.
888
Many angel numbers can be interpreted as a sign you’re on the right path, and 888 is no exception. In numerology, the number eight represents abundance and leadership, so it stands to reason that a series of eights would indicate success is in your future, along with wealth, power, and anything else you hope to get out of your career. Eight is also the sign of infinity, so if you often see a sequence like 888, just know you’re divinely protected for life.
999
Because there is no “ten” in numerology, the number nine symbolizes the closing of chapters and the completion of cycles. In the case of career, 999 could be a sign that you’ve reached your peak or have outgrown your job. In the matter of love, the sequence implies that closure from a past fling could be on the horizon, or that your soul mate is about to come in. Exciting!
