On February 23, a film by Joel Schumacher, starring Jim Carrey, entitled ‘The number 23’ will be released. The story centers on a book given to the main character (Carrey) that seems to echo the events of his life and prominently features the phenomena known as “The 23 Enigma”. The 23 conundrum is the belief that every event is somehow related to the number 23. This is sometimes mistakenly attributed to the science of numerology, although that is incorrect. Like the ‘9-11’ phenomenon in which 911 matches are recorded and listed, the 23 riddle may be no more than a particular example of the confirmation bias In cognitive theory known as apophenia – the experience of finding connections or patterns in random and meaningless data. Supporters of the 911 phenomenon find a good portion of these matches by manipulating numbers to arrive at the desired result (negating the possibility of a true match), and many of the examples given in the numerous 23 enigma lists share this trait. Robert Anton Wilson himself, whose work explores some of these interesting coincidences regarding the number 23, comments that the phenomenon simply shows how the mind can find the ‘truth’ in anything if it wishes to see it.

However, there are some genuine coincidences (or synchronicities) that feature the number 23 and are often interesting to consider as harmless diversions, some of which we will list here. Due to popular culture, there are also many instances where the enigma is intentionally evoked in works of art that feature some reference to 23. If you decide to tentatively accept the phenomenon as a true example of synchronicity in action, don’t be surprised if you start to see the number 23 everywhere as it becomes what is known in psychology as a self-fulfilling prophecy. Whether you see it or not, have fun. 23 times!

Curiosities of the number 23

The physical biorhythm cycle is said to be 23 days. It takes 23 seconds for blood to circulate through the human body. The male and female each contribute 23 chromosomes during conception. Every 23 angstroms, one complete turn of the DNA helix occurs. The number of joints in the human arm is 23. There are 23 vertebrae in the human body. Tantrists believe that the male sexual cycle is 23 days.

Shakespeare was born on April 23. Shakespeare died on April 23. Two 23’s equals 46 and that was how old Shakespeare was when the KJV was published. Take a King James version of the Bible and go to Psalm 46. Count 46 words and you will come to the word ‘shake’. Go to the end of the chapter and count back 46 words and the ending word is ‘spear’.

The ancient Egyptians celebrated the New Year on July 23, the day Sirius rises behind the sun.

The ideal orbit, the Clarke orbit, for a satellite is 23,000 miles above the earth.

The first prime number where both digits are prime and add up to another prime number is 23.

The 23rd letter of the alphabet, W, has 3 points up and 2 points down.

Two thirds or 2/3 equals .666.

The first transmission of Morse code is reported to have been “What Has God Done?”. A biblical quote from Numbers 23:23.

Alexander the Great was 23 years old when he cut the Gordian Knot and Caesar is reported to have been stabbed 23 times. The Knights Templar had 23 Grand Masters.

The “Day the Music Died” was February 3 or 2-3. This was, of course, the day Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper died.

Devin Hester, whose jersey number is 23, becomes the first person to return the kickoff for a touchdown in a Super Bowl (XLI).

Now, how many more instances of Mystery 23 can you find??

Copyright Jakob Steele 2007