Destiny Expression Number
Coupled with the Life Path number, another hugely important core number in numerology is the Destiny Number. This is also known as the Expression number. The Destiny Number, as the name suggests, concerns itself more with an individual’s future or destiny. However, the Destiny Number also reveals elements of your past, present, and future personalities and spiritual being.
Destiny or Expression numbers are calculated from our full names. Their aim is to determine the numerological qualities of our name and discuss how these reflect on our past and present lives.
Our names are obviously a huge part of our physical, metaphysical, natural, and supernatural being. They prescribe identities which we then go forth and represent throughout life. Names can evoke certain qualities and elements of our personalities, and they communicate who we are to ourselves and others. It is easy to see why our names aid numerologists in determining elements of our destiny. Our names help shape our fate and define our spiritual existence, and as such, they are a very important element of our being to define in numerological terms.
The Destiny Number incorporates elements of both our past and present lives, our talents, skills, and life characteristics for which we have natural harmony and spiritual resonance. It can provide guidance on what you need to do to reach a destiny that fulfills you best.
How To Find Your Destiny Number
In Pythagorean numerology, a Destiny or Expression number is derived and extracted from our full name. Pythagoras (569-475 BC) was a Greek mathematician and philosopher who observed and described the transcendent nature of numbers and their spiritual properties and resonance. A famous quote credited to Pythagoras is ‘everything is numbers’ – his epiphanic moments of mathematical realization are seen by some as the foundation of modern mathematics.
Pythagoras, though revered for his robust empirical scientific methods, was also deeply interested in the spiritual qualities of both numbers and letters, later forming Pythagorean Numerology. Amongst Pythagoras’ works were investigations into the spiritual qualities of musical notes, later becoming a wider commentary into how letters are numbers are indeed intertwined.
The Pythagoreans, individuals who were dedicated to further investigating Pythagoras’ work, later created a chart which equated letters to numbers running from 1 – 9. This is the chart we still use today in Pythagorean Numerology.
The chart is as follows:
1 = A, J, S
2 = B, K, T
3 = C, L, U
4 = D, M, V
5 = E, N, W
6 = F, O, X
7 = G, P, Y
8 = H, Q, Z
9 = I, R
To find your Destiny or Expression number, it’s advisable to start by simply spelling out your full name. To calculate the Destiny or Expression number, you will use every letter in your name, contrasting to the Heart’s Desire number that uses only the vowels.
Here, we’ll be using the example of Charles John Dickens:
First/Given name
= C + H + A + R + L + E + S
= 3 + 8 + 1 + 9 + 3 + 5 + 1
= 30 = 3
Middle name
= J + O + H + N
= 1 + 6 + 8 + 5
= 20 = 2
Last/Family name
= D + I + C + K + E + N + S
= 4 + 9 + 3 + 2 + 5 + 5 + 1
= 11 = 11
Your Expression/Destiny Number
= 3 + 2 + 11 = 16/7
Destiny or Expression Numbers and Master Numbers
In the same way that our Life Path or Heart’s Desire Numbers may produce a master number, 11, 22, or 33, it is also possible to arrive at a master number when calculating our Destiny or Expression Number. If you do encounter a master number, you can look at that master number as well as the number it reduces to (2 for 11, 4 for 22, and 6 for 33).
Master numbers are some of the most interesting, mystical, and inquisitive numbers in all numerology. They reflect upon the challenges of our past and present lives, the problems we face, and the ways in which we can overcome them. Master numbers can be discovered at different junctures of the numerology process and you should always investigate them carefully when you discover one.
Read more on master numbers here:
What Does My Destiny Number Mean?
Destiny Number 1
Number 1’s destiny is one of aspiration, ambition, and achievement. Reflecting upon the symbolism of the number 1 itself, Destiny Number 1 has strong leadership and individualism. You want to exceed yourself and others. This means setting high standards – you may feel bad when you fail to meet your own expectations. This is something you will have to deal with – whilst you will strive to do your best, you have to become more comfortable when things simply do not fall your way. Your independent nature can also lead to reclusiveness and whilst you may take great pleasure working alone on your projects, you may benefit from pulling others into your interests.
Destiny Number 2
Destiny Number 2 seeks to adhere and glue people together in harmony. 2 is a number that fits well with many other numbers and it has a very symmetrical, balanced quality. Your destiny may be diplomatic; you are adept at solving the problems of both yourself and others. Within this dynamic, you may suffer when you are seemingly unable to achieve balance with yourself and others. Despite your best efforts, you must learn to accept when you simply cannot achieve the desired harmony you so strongly crave.
Destiny Number 3
3 is a motivating number full of enthusiasm for life and culture. With energy, flair and enthusiasm, number 3’s destiny is to infuse others with the same passion for life that comes naturally for you. You may expect that you’ll always be able to maintain an energetic and active enthusiasm for life, but sometimes, you will have to slow down so you can savor its simpler comforts of life. Talented and artistic, Destiny Number 3 thrives off creative activities and industries. Feed these whenever you can to reach your destiny.
Destiny Number 4
Destiny Number 4 bears some similarities to 2 which it fits so well with. Your destiny is to provide value to others and this may lead you down a path of philanthropism. With a hard-working work ethic and vigorous schedule, Destiny Number 4 tends to be busy and free-flowing. Destiny Number 4 is compatible with many others, but may also be torn between their own security and their thirst for a dynamic life. It will be important to learn that sometimes, you cannot balance everything in the way you might like.
Destiny Number 5
Destiny Number 5 is strong, flexible, and pushes boundaries. You want to be fulfilled and you’re not scared to discover the parts of life that satisfy you. Freedom is strong in Destiny Number 5, but this must be used constructively. Potentially living life as a rollercoaster, the energetic freedoms of your destiny may prove hard to maintain a grip on from time to time. So long as you focus on maintaining a steady course, you can harness your innate desire for freedom and turn this into a strong structuring force for your life ahead.
Destiny Number 6
A kind, caring, and nurturing number, Destiny Number 6 is dependable and reliable through and through. People may look up to you for advice as they know you are likely to provide everything you can to the best of your ability. Professional and adaptable, your official nature can provide a strong path to authoritative positions. Granted your nurturing inner core, you may struggle when your leadership leads you down paths that grate against your own strong caring principles. Maintain your nurturing nature and avoid being too much of an enabler or support system. Be wary when you are asked to do something that offends your kindness, as this is perhaps your greatest asset.
Destiny Number 7
Destiny Number 7 is a truthseeker, someone who quests to discover meaning. You accurately and naturally weigh up difficult ideas and this can prove your best strength. Digging deep into life and its various mysteries is fulfilling for you, but try to not get lost in the chasms of your own mind. Strong and instinctive powers of deduction and rationalism may exist in conflict with your desire to always obtain an adequate quantity of information. Sometimes, you will have to make decisions based on only limited information. You are at risk of being too cynical if you dwell on questions too much and sometimes, you will have to act without overthinking to fulfill your destiny.
Destiny Number 8
Destiny Number 8 is one of self-mastery. You crave influence and know you have what it takes to achieve your aspirations. Putting your master plans into action may not always be easy, but with perseverance, you can achieve your destiny. With a strong ability to organize oneself, Destiny Number 8 naturally lends itself towards business and commerce. However, you want to maintain the philanthropic side of your desires and are always conscious of how your own success can benefit others. Nurture your generous side whilst remaining conscious of becoming too materialistic in your quest for influence.
Destiny Number 9
Destiny Number 9 is one of strong humanitarian values. You go right to the core of what it means to be human. This gives you a superb understanding of the needs of others. Powerful in your desires to help and heal, Destiny Number 9 can be one of the most selfless destinies. You need to be aware of helping yourself in the same way you help others. An imbalance here can lead to self-neglect. Your innate ability to understand social situations and the needs of others can come across as too strong-willed or overbearing. Nurture your humanitarian values whilst also learning that you will need to listen to others to provide the best for them.