The subdivision of all aspects of time and space into groups of four seems so natural to speakers of English that it is difficult even to imagine that this might not be an absolute and universal ‘truth’ of nature. It is not natural for speakers of English to challenge this belief, nor is it easy to do so, as this is a fundamental part of the ‘reality’ of speakers of English. The natural sciences of English naturally accept it as given that this is a fundamental truth of nature. Yet is the English model of reality the only possible model?
You might be surprised to learn that since ancient times the Chinese language has recognized FIVE directions in space:
| Directions: | North | South | Center | East | West |
Ancient Chinese recognized FIVE elements that compose all matter in space:
| Elements: | Wood | Fire | Earth | Metal | Water |
Speakers of Chinese recognize, not coincidentally, FIVE tastes:
| Tastes: | Sweet | Sour | Salty | Bitter | Spicy |
Ancient Chinese recognized FIVE primary measurements of time:
| Units of time: | Hour | Day | Month | Year | Life Span |
Each life span was subdivided into FIVE cycles (of 12 years, 5×12 is the source of the base 60 counting system). Each year was subdivided into FIVE seasons. Each month was subdivided into six weeks (six is a number that is symmetrical to FIVE). Each week was subdivided into FIVE days.
Ancient speakers of Chinese naturally subdivided all of time and space into groups of FIVE, because the Chinese language recognizes FIVE dimensions, and not four like English.