Numerology
Chaldean vs Vedic vs Pythagorean numerology
There is more than one system of numerology, and they do not agree on how to turn letters into numbers. Here is what separates the three main schools, and why the Indian (Vedic) system ties every number to a planet.
Overview
The three systems at a glance
Chaldean (Babylonian)
The oldest system. Assigns letter values by sound, not alphabet order, using numbers 1 to 8. In the Chaldean system as commonly taught today, 9 is held back as sacred and not assigned to any letter. Considered the most esoteric and predictive.
Pythagorean
The most common system in the West. Assigns letters sequentially from 1 to 9 by their position in the alphabet (A=1, B=2, and so on). Simpler and more formulaic, focused on personality and the life path number.
Vedic (Indian, ank jyotish)
Centres on numbers tied to planets. It uses birth-date reductions for the mulank and bhagyank, and most practitioners use the Chaldean chart for name analysis because it is phonetic. The defining feature is the number-to-planet link.
Letter values
The Chaldean letter chart
Chaldean assigns letters by sound, and uses only 1 to 8. The number 9 is reserved as sacred and is not given to any letter.
1
A, I, J, Q, Y
2
B, K, R
3
C, G, L, S
4
D, M, T
5
E, H, N, X
6
U, V, W
7
O, Z
8
F, P
9
Sacred, not assigned to letters
Planets
Why Vedic numerology uses planets
The thing that sets Indian numerology apart is that every number carries a planet, the same mapping used for your mulank and bhagyank. This is what connects numerology to Jyotish: each number inherits the nature, strengths and remedies of its planet.
Because each number maps to a planet, a Vedic numerologist can read a number through its planet, and prescribe planetary remedies such as gemstones, mantras, colours and weekdays.
Note: numerology is a traditional belief system, not an empirically validated science. What is accurate above is the rules and mappings of each system. The predictions any system makes are interpretation, not proven fact.
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Common questions
What is the difference between Chaldean and Pythagorean numerology?
Chaldean numerology is older (Babylonian) and assigns letter values by sound, using numbers 1 to 8 only, with 9 reserved as sacred. Pythagorean numerology is newer and assigns letters sequentially from 1 to 9 by alphabet position. Chaldean is considered more esoteric; Pythagorean is simpler and more widespread today.
Which numerology system does India use?
Indian (Vedic) numerology centres on numbers tied to planets. For name analysis, most Indian practitioners use the Chaldean letter chart because it is phonetic, while using birth-date reductions for the mulank and bhagyank. The defining feature is that every number maps to a planet.
Why does Vedic numerology link numbers to planets?
Because it fuses numerology with Jyotish (Vedic astrology). Each number inherits the qualities and remedies of its ruling planet, so a practitioner can read a number through its planet and suggest planetary remedies such as gemstones, mantras and colours.
Is the number-to-planet mapping the same in Vedic numerology?
Yes. Across the major Indian numerology traditions the mapping is the same: 1 Sun, 2 Moon, 3 Jupiter, 4 Rahu, 5 Mercury, 6 Venus, 7 Ketu, 8 Saturn, 9 Mars. The one divergence is that some modern sources assign Uranus to 4 and Neptune to 7, which the Vedic system does not use.