Base-12 Basics
Base-12 is a positional number system of counting based on the number cycle from 0 to 11.
Also, called the duodecimal or dozenal system, base-12 has been around for ages but has been all but replaced in modern times by the base-10 or decimal system which counts in cycles of ten, from 0 to 9.
However, we still use base-12 (and its big brother base-60) in a few notable areas such as measuring time in months, hours, minutes and seconds, rotational angles in degrees, geographic/GPS coordinates in degrees, minutes and seconds and, of course, beer and doughnuts by the delectable dozen.
Although having ten fingers may make it easier to count in base-10, base-12 is hands-down better for a number of reasons:
Base-12 can be divided five ways (in half, thirds, quarters, sixths, twelfths) versus only three ways in base-10 (in half, fifths, tenths). Also, base-12 aligns with the base-4 rotational structure of complex numbers through which the higher dimensional math of nature can be is expressed, but not base-10.
The four positions on the base-12 cycle where primes can occur (1, 5, 7, 11) are rotationally balanced, but not so on the base-10 cycle (1, 3, 7, 9).
See illustration below.
12 months per year, 12 subatomic particles of matter/anti-matter,
12 basic hues in the visible spectrum of light and colour wheel, 12 note chromatic scale of music, 6 protons/6 electrons in the Carbon atom critical to organic life, etc.
Consistent with base-12 traditions of Astrology, Mayan calendar, Greek and Norse mythology, Buddhism, Christianity, sacred geometry, music, etc.
Expands the numerological cycle to include the 10 of awareness and the 11 of illumination as higher vibrational themes beyond the 9 of physical completion, clarifies the meaning of “master numbers” as higher octaves of 12.
(click on image to enlarge)
For a quick overview of Base-12 and why it's better than base-10, check out my article: How Base-12 Numerology Unlocks the Universal Wisdom of Twelve