46 Amazing Facts About The Number 5

Here at Kidadl, we're all about discovering new things!

Whether we're delving into the ocean to bring you some water conservation facts, or practicing our maths skills for doubles facts, we're always happy expanding our knowledge and finding out some weird and wonderful things along the way. So why not join us to find out more about lucky number 5?

The meaning of five is many and varied. 5 represents curiosity and adventure; the importance of number 5 runs through every culture and religion in the world; and the things associated with the number 5 range from the mundane to the bizarre! People even use the numerology of 5 to tell their futures.

Discover the meaning of number 5 with this fascinating collection of facts.

The Number 5 In Maths
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The significance of the number 5 in maths is huge - we might not understand the complexity of the formulae that make it such an important number, but here are the basics!

1. The number 5 is the third prime number, a natural number greater than 1 that is not a product of two smaller natural numbers.

2. The number 5 is the first good prime number, whose square is greater than the product of any two primes at the same number of positions before and after it in the sequence of primes.

3. The number 5 is also:

• The third Sophie Germain prime number
• The third Catalan number
• The first safe prime number
• The third Mersenne prime exponent
• The first Wilson prime number
• The third factorial prime
• The only number that is part of more than one pair of twin primes.
   

The Number 5 In Science

Whether it's animals or chemicals, the significance of 5 in science is one to watch.

4. An earthworm has five hearts.

5. The number 5 is the atomic number of the chemical element, Boron.

6. Most starfish have 5 arms.

7. Humans have 5 senses - taste, smell, touch, vision, hearing.

8. Nearly all mammals, as well as amphibians and reptiles, which have fingers or toes, have 5 of them on each hand or foot.

The Number Five In Religion

Number 5 symbolism in religion is everywhere you look! From Hinduism to Christianity, the significance of 5 is proved time and again.

Hinduism

9. Five is a symbol of the physical body, the planet earth and the elements - Earth (mahabhutas), Ether (akasa), Air (vayu) Fire (agni) and Water (jalam).

Christianity

10. The number five is the number of grace and symbolizes God's goodness and favor towards people.

11. The Ten Commandments contains two sets of 5 commandments; the first five relate to people's relationship with God, and the last five relate to people's relationship with each other.

12. There were five primary types of offerings that God commanded Israel to bring to him; Burnt Offering, Sin, Trespass, Grain and Peace Offering.

13. There were five holy wounds of Christ, one through each hand or wrist, one through each foot, and one through the chest.

14. The Book of Psalms is divided into 5 main sections.

15. There are five books of God's Law (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy) commonly referred to as the Pentateuch ('Penta' means five).

Islam

16. There are five pillars of Islam: these are five obligations that every Muslim must fulfill in order to live a good life and be a virtuous Muslim.

17. The five pillars are:

• Shahadah, meaning to recite the Muslim profession of faith.
• Salat, meaning to pray correctly five times per day.
• Zakat, meaning paying alms, or charity, to the poor and needy.
• Sawm, meaning fasting during Ramadan.
• Hajj, meaning to carry out a pilgrimage to Mecca. 
   

18. Muslims pray to Allah five times a day.

Sikhism

19. There are five K’s in Sikhism which were established by Guru Gobind Singh in 1669.

20. Also known as Amritdhari, the five K's are:

• Kangha, meaning the wooden comb which symbolizes morality and cleanliness.
• Kara, meaning the steel bracelet which is worn on the right wrist and symbolizes strength and integrity.
• Kirpan, meaning the ceremonial weapon which symbolizes courage and willingness to defend the weak.
• Kachhera, meaning cotton shorts, which symbolize self-control.
• Kesh, meaning uncut hair which symbolizes saintliness.

21. There are Five Virtues in Sikhism, which are:

• Sat, meaning truth.
• Daya, meaning compassion.
• Santokh, meaning contentment.
• Nimrata, meaning humility.
• Pyare, meaning love.

22. The are also Five Evils in Sikhism, which are:

• Kam, meaning lust.
• Krodh, meaning rage.
• Lobh, meaning greed.
• Moh, meaning attachment.
• Ahankar, meaning ego. 
   

The Number Five In Numerology And Spirituality

The significance of 5 is key in numerology, 5 being the amount of core numbers.

23. In numerology there are traditionally five core numbers: your Life Path number, Birth Day number, Expression number, Personality number and Heart's Desire number.

24. The number five in numerology is characterized by curiosity; it craves adventure, freedom and a variety of different and exciting experiences in order to feel fulfilled.

25. The number five is the number of the human being: it symbolizes the four limbs and the head that controls them.

26. Five is the number of Mercury, and is a lucky number for the star signs Gemini and Virgo.

27. In the Tarot, five is the card for the Hierophant (the Pope), which symbolizes peace and harmony.

The Pentagram

Throughout time, the pentagram has been used by many cultures and religions as a magical and sacred symbol and the symbolism of 5 is tied closely to it.

28. If you cut an apple in half across the middle, or 'equator,' the seeds form the shape of a pentagram.  So when Eve gave Adam the apple of knowledge, the pentagram became a symbol of wisdom and the power to make your own choices.

29. The 5 points symbolize spirit, air, fire, water and earth.

30. Famous knight of King Arthur's round table, Sir Gawain, had a pentagram on his shield and he was said to be “faithful five ways and five time each.”

31. For some Christians, it has come to represent the five wounds of Christ, or the star of Bethlehem, when it symbolizes guidance.

Fun Facts About The Number 5
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It's not all about the symbolism of number 5 - it can be a fun number too! Check out these interesting facts about the number 5.  

32. On a die, the pattern of five dots is called a quincunx.

33. There are five Olympic rings, which represent competitors from five continents: the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania.

34. Number five was the lucky number of famous fashion designer Coco Chanel. She said of her iconic fragrance: “I always launch my collection on the 5th day of the 5th month, so the number 5 seems to bring me luck – therefore, I will name it No 5.”

35. “High 5,” meaning to clap another's hand with yours, is a universal social gesture of celebrating.

36. There are 5 vowels in the English alphabet, A, E, I, O ,U.

37. Pentasyllabic means a word that has 5 syllables - and the word itself is pentasyllabic.

38. A limerick is a 5-line poem or joke.

39. The sport of basketball has 5 players on each team.

40. 5 musicians play in the music group called a quintet.

41. In the Western culture, the 5 year wedding anniversary is symbolized by wood.

42. The Hamsa, meaning 5, Hand, is an amulet commonly worn in the Middle East as protection against the evil eye.

43. The fifth president of the United States was James Monroe.

44. A pentagon has 5 sides and 5 angles.

45. Chinese philosopher Confucius said: “To practice 5 things under all circumstances constitutes perfect Virtue; these 5 are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness.”

46. In the story, David only had 5 pebbles for his slingshot when he killed the giant Goliath.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for 46 Amazing Facts About The Number 5, then why not take a look at Spinosaurus facts, or Emily Dickinson facts?