University of Virginia Library

15. Historical Numerals Of The Creek Indians

Ancient expression of thought after drifting down the diverging channels of languages to the open century of fraternal greetings after the lapse of a thousand ages since the last separation of the human families in the prehistoric shade, through which the lone star of prophecy penetrates. On the first pages of the old Hebrew Bible we are told that woman was created, a companion to man. The rich and copious language of the Muskogee or Creek Indians carries many fine examples of such first ancient thought from the first days. Hoktee--woman, in the language of the Creeks--expresses the first symbol of the first idea and comprehension of the number 2; the foundation of a structure of another like the first, the originator of enumeration from a single unit. Hok-tee (woman) being the first idea of a dual possibility of companionship, from which the art of enumeration creates the numeral, Hok-co-len or figure 2, succeeds to other objects after the ideas of numbers are formed in the creation of woman by the unseen Deity. Twice 2 are 4(os ten), after 3 (tot-che-neen) has led in the other figure 2. Then figure 5 waits for a dual mate in figure 10, which makes figure 6 an odd number and figure 7 becomes an even number by being the dual of figure 6. The almighty unseen creates man after his own image and indicates the impression of thought emphasis with the dexter finger of the right hand, telling nature's laws from left to right until the right dexter finger is reached, and none can indicate against it. Therefore, it being the seventh from right to left causes the figure seven to be a sacred number. (See the Hebrew Sabbath, the destruction of Jericho 's walls, the seven golden candlesticks, the seventh son charm of eastern lands.)

Kol-la-pan-ken (7) is a mystic dual number before which the good spirit gave reverence; a charm to be feared and reverenced. After Hoktee (woman) repeated twice in proper succession, all figures yield providence of succession to figure 7, that mystic charm that is heralded clear around the Christian world. Figure 9 becomes the dual of figure 8 and figure 10 becomes the dual of figure 5; then onward by the same rule of numeration into hundreds, thousands and millions. Expressed in the language of the Muskogees, inherited from the first days, hon-nun-wa (man) is of the odd number of the figure 1, (hum-kee). He is fek-hum-kee (brave), of one heart and mind. He vindicates himself in the death struggles of mortal combat by repeating "hum! hum!" His good woman calls him to come and eat by saying "hum-pas-cha," (you alone are welcome.) He in turn invites his guests with him saying "hum-pux-cha," (be welcomed with me alone.) Thus these figures tell the Jewish bible history of the human families and their social laws. Eve in her right gave Adam the fruit of the garden to eat, and as a companion remained by his side even unto death, not even pleading the law of self-condemnation, testimony or hear say evidence, nor divorce right under a long term conyictiction [sic] of her good husband. She is assigned a place by the Creek Indians as the mother of Numeration, that even the mystic figure 7 dares not to disturb in her proper place as a pure dual number.

Wagner Record, February 7, 1901.