The Number 48: Properties and Meanings

Prime Factors of 48=2x2x2x2x3.

48 can be Partitioned 25 times with each term no larger than 2.

48 can be Partitioned 217 times with each term no larger than 3.

48 can be Partitioned 1033 times with each term no larger than 4.

48 is an Abundant Number.

48 is a 17-gonal Number.

48 is the smallest number with 10 divisors.

The Great Rhombicuboctahedron is an Archimedean Solid with 48 Vertices.

The Small Rhombicuboctahedron is an Archimedean Solid with 48 Edges.

The Chemical Element Cadmium has an atomic number of 48.

In Humans: the 48 sub-petals of each of the two petals of the Ajna Chakra located between the two eyebrows.

The Earth - and all what constitutes it - would be submitted to 48 laws, according to Ouspensky. The caucasian G. Gurdjieff claims the same thing by asserting that the Earth would be submitted to 48 forces by taking account of the Sun, the moon, the planets, all the worlds and the Absolute. In the same way, according to Samael Aun Weor, the terrestrial man lives in a world subjected to 48 laws. But "below us, under the surface of the Earth, exist worlds of 96 and 192 forces and several others, that are enormously more complicated and terribly materialistic, and where one does not remember even more than the Will of the Absolute exists." With the involution of the souls, their life becomes more complicated with an increasingly large number of laws. Conversely, through the "Revolution of the Conscience", the evolving souls are released themselves from the 48, the 24, the 12 and finally from the 6 laws to enter at the end in the Absolute.

The ancient peoples recognized 48 constellations, grouped in bands of 24 each one, in the two hemispheres.

The Torah is acquired through forty-eight Virtues.

Film: 48 Hours.

The Year 48 AD

In the year 48 AD Chinese armies drove the Hsiung Nu back to their homeland in Mongolia.

In the year 48 AD fire ravaged the Library at Alexandria.