On 9

In Language
Nine (English), Nove (Italian), negen (Dutch), Sembilan (Indonesian), Ni (Norwegian), Nouă (Romanian), Sagaal (Somali), IX (Roman numeral)

In Mathematics
9 – the highest single-digit number

9 – divisible by only 1, 3, and 9

9 – a Cardinal number, natural number, integer, composite number, Motzkin number, a positive perfect power, exponential factorial,

9 – a perfect square (of 3), yet 9 squared is 81

9-sided polygon is a nonagon (Latin) or enneagon (Greek)

Six recurring 9s appear in the decimal places 762 through 767 of pi

In Culture
In Indian culture, Navaratri is a nine-day festival dedicated to the nine forms of Durga

In Chinese culture, 9 is considered a good number because it sounds the same as the word “long-lasting”

In Ancient Egypt, the nine bows represents the traditional enemies of Ancient Egypt

In European culture, the Nine Worthies are nine historical, or semi-legendary figures who, in the Middle Ages, were believed to personify the ideals of chivalry

In Norse mythology, the universe is divided into nine worlds which are all connected by the world tree Yggdrasil

In Greek mythology, the nine Muses in Greek mythology are Calliope (epic poetry), Clio (history), Erato (erotic poetry), Euterpe (lyric poetry), Melpomene (tragedy), Polyhymnia (song), Terpsichore (dance), Thalia (comedy), and Urania (astronomy)

In Idioms (9 of them)

• “Go the whole nine yards”
• “A cat has nine lives”
• “On cloud nine”
• “A stitch in time saves nine”
• Found true 9 out of 10 times”
• “Possession is 9 tenths of the law”
• “Dressed to the nines”
• “Nine-day wonder”
• “A 9-to-5 attitude”

In Literature (9 facts about nine/9 in literature )

• The 9 circles of Hell in Dante’s Divine Comedy
• The Nine Bright Shiners, characters in Garth Nix’s Old Kingdom trilogy
• The Nine Tailors, a 1934 mystery novel by British writer Dorothy L. Sayers
• Nine Unknown Men are the custodians of the sciences of the world since ancient times
• There are nine rings of power given to men, in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth
• The Fellowship of the Ring consists of nine companions
• 9 Garde sent to Earth.in Lorien Legacies
• Number Nine, a character in Lorien Legacies
• Moon at Nine by Deborah Ellis

Interfaith graphic by Justice St. Rain (Bahá’í Community) of Interfaith Resources

In Religion
9 – revered in Hinduism as a complete, perfected, and divine number

9 virtues of Buddhism: Accomplished, Perfectly Enlightened, Endowed with knowledge and Conduct or Practice, Well-gone or Well-spoken, the Knower of worlds, the Guide Unsurpassed of men to be tamed, the Teacher of gods and men, Enlightened, and Blessed

In Judaism, the Nine Days (Tisha HaYamim) are the first 9 days of Av leading up to the 9th day when both Temples in Jerusalem were destroyed

In Norse Mythology, Odin hung himself on an ash tree for nine days to learn the runes

9 – the number of choirs of angels in the In the Christian angelic hierarchy

In Islam, Ramadan (the month of fasting and prayer) is held during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar

In Science
9 – the atomic number for fluorine, who’s neutral atom consists of 9 protons and 9 electrons

9 – number of planets in the our solar system (if including pluto)

9 – the number of months of human pregnancy

In Sports
Retired #9 Jerseys

• MLB: Reggie Jackson, (A’s), Bill Mazeroski (Pirates), Roger Maris (Yankees), Minnie Minoso (White Sox), Enos Slaughter (Cardinals), Ted Williams (Red Sox),
• NBA: Bob Petit (Hawks), Dan Majerle (Suns), Larry Miller (Jazz)
• NFL: none
• NHL: Glenn Anderson (Oilers), Andy Bathgate (Rangers), Johnny Bucyk (Bruins), Charlie Conacher (Maple Leafs, Clark Gillies (Islanders), Adam Graves (Rangers), Gordie Howe (Red Wings), Bobby Hull (Blackhawks), Ted Kennedy (Maple Leafs), Lanny MacDonald (Flames), Mike Modano (Stars), Maurice Richard (Canadiens)

Super Bowl IX: Pittsburgh Steelers 16, Minnesota Vikings 6; January 12, 1975; Tulane Stadium, New Orleans, Louisiana

NASCAR
09 – In 275 races, 1 win (Larry Manning)
9 – In 1544 races, 53 wins: Bill Elliott (38), Kasey Kaine (11)

Billiards: 9 ball – a billiards game played with 9 balls and the “9-ball) begins in the center of the rack

9 – In rugby league, the jersey number assigned to the hooker.

9- In rugby union, the number worn by the starting scrum-half.

Baseball

• 9 players on the field including per team
• 9 innings in a standard Major League game
• 9 represents the right fielder’s position.

In Music (9 songs with nine/9 in the title)

• 9 to 5 (Dolly Parton and Sheena Easton)
• 9-1-1 (Eminem)
• About a Quarter to Nine (Al Jolson)
• Angel #9 (Pure Prairie League)
• Cloud Nine (Temptations)
• If 6 Was 9 (Jimi Hendrix)
• Nine Lives (Def Leppard)
• Nine Tonight (Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band)
• Public Animal No. 9 (Alice Cooper)

9 Miscellaneous Facts about Nine

• This numeral resembles an inverted 6
• 9 justices sit on the United States Supreme Court
• Stanines scores range from 1 to 9
• In the NATO phonetic alphabet, the digit 9 is called “Niner”
• 9th US President: William Henry Harrison
• US Constitution’s 9th Amendment deals with unenumerated rights
• K-9 unit – canine (dog) unit in police departments
• Five-digit produce PLU codes that begin with 9 are organic
• November comes from the Latin word “novem” meaning nine

This is not an exhaustive list about nine – but it is enough to celebrate the occasion. Happy 9th Anniversary on WordPress for me.

…. and Happy Birthday Shania.