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.  

 

Why is Base-12 Better than Base-10?

Although having ten fingers may make it easier to count in base-10, base-12 is hands-down better for a number of reasons:

More versatile mathematically:
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.
More balanced geometrically:
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.
More fundamental naturally:
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.
More intuitive spiritually:
Consistent with base-12 traditions of Astrology, Mayan calendar, Greek and Norse mythology, Buddhism, Christianity, sacred geometry, music, etc.
More descriptive numerologically:
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