Your "core numbers" are a set of the five most important numbers in your personal Numerology. We covered your Life Path Number in a previous articles (link here). In this article, we will define and help you calculate your Expression Number. Some numerologists also refer to this number as the "Destiny number" or "Personality Number".
Your Expression Number is derived from your full name at birth, as it appears on your birth certificate. The purpose of your Expression Number is to reveal the natural strengths and skills you were born with.
Your Expression Number is based on the letters of the full name you were given at birth. Simply write out that name (including any middle names you have), and use the following guide to assign a number to each letter. Note: We use here the Pythagorean method, which is the most commonly used.
Similar to the calculations we did in the previous Numerology article about your Life Path Number, these calculations are based on the same principles:
- Convert each letter of your full name into a number
- Add all the numbers together
- Reduce that number to a single digit.
However, if you encounter 11, 22, or 33 at any point, these are Master Numbers, so do not reduce them any further.
For example, let’s look at Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela's name to uncover his Destiny Number:
- Nelson = 5 + 5 + 3 + 1 + 6 + 5 = 25 = 2 + 5 = 7
- Rolihlahla = 9 + 6 + 3 + 9 + 8 + 3 + 1+ 8 + 3 + 1 = 51 = 5 + 1 = 6
- Mandela = 4 + 1 + 5 + 4 + 5 + 3 + 1 = 23 = 2 + 3 = 5
Next, take all the numbers together: 7 + 6 + 5 = 18 = 1 + 8 = 9.
Nelson Mandela's Expression Number is 9.
Now, it is your turn. What is your Expression Number?
What does this all mean?
Numerologists attribute specific characteristics to each Expression numbers: (Source: Numerology.com). Find yours below.
Expression number 1
With a 1 Expression number, you possess strong leadership capabilities and a knack for creating your own opportunities. You will go where others are afraid to go and you'll make the journey look easy. The number 1's energy is extremely self-sufficient, allowing you to be most innovative and productive when you're working alone. You may even find it difficult to cooperate with others, preferring to do things your way rather than listening to anyone else's opinions. If you aren't careful, the 1 Expression could make you seem aggressive and self-centered. It's not in your nature to think before you speak or act, but you would be wise to learn this skill!
Expression number 2
Working with others is your forte. Your 2 Expression makes you very skilled in relationships of all kinds, because it is cooperative, supportive, and always striving for balance. You have a keen ability to read people and situations and react with patience and understanding. Others see you as peaceful and humble, yet there is great strength in you. Still, your feelings can be easily hurt and you have a tendency to doubt yourself when making decisions, which can make you idle. You would benefit from following your head instead of your heart from time to time.
Expression number 3
With the influence of the number 3, you are a naturally skilled communicator. You have a way with words and a great talent for conveying your creative ideas and inspiring others. Your social circle is strong and people find your optimistic attitude both magnetic and charming. However, the relationships you form, like many other things in your life, don't go very deep. Your enthusiasm for life can be a distraction, making you unable to stay focused on one person, job, or plan long enough for it to develop into something complete or meaningful.
Expression number 4
Organized, down-to-earth, and hardworking, the 4 Expression gives you skills that make you incredibly capable and constructive. You are a master at managing projects and teams and others rely on you because you follow everything through to completion. You are honest, patient, and loyal -- sometimes, loyal to a fault. The number 4 carries a stubborn, rigid energy that can make you so fixed in your ways that you are unable to grasp new, better ways of thinking, doing, and interacting.
Expression number 5
Your 5 Expression craves variety and freedom and wants to experience everything that life has to offer. You are an adventurous person who takes pleasure in trying new things and following your latest passion. Your passions change quickly, however, so you've learned to switch gears easily in order to explore as many possibilities as you can. Beware, though, that with all this change comes inconsistency. Your restlessness can make you unreliable in relationships and unprepared to handle the hardships of life.
Expression number 6
Your strengths play out most notably in your relationships with others. The influence of the number 6 makes you incredibly protective and nurturing toward all people, but especially your family members and other close loved ones. You have a heart of gold and feel a responsibility to be there to help those in need of support. It's important, though, that you don't forget about self-care. You can be so focused on the well-being of others that you neglect to attend to your own emotions and energy levels. Be kind to yourself, too.
Expression number 7
You are the truth seeker. You are energized by information and willing to go deep into both the intellectual and spiritual realms in search of real meaning. Logic drives the way you think and communicate, and this helps you clearly convey your vast knowledge to others. You are not satisfied with what's on the surface -- it's the hidden answers you are digging for. However, this assumption that there is always something to be found can make you suspicious of others. In fact, it may be hard for you to relate to other people in general; you tend to prefer a controlled environment where you can do things your own way.
Expression number 8
An 8 Expression blesses you with great business sense and excellent judgement of people, money, and plans. This is why you are able to achieve so many goals -- you know the best resources and the most attainable ambitions. You do run the risk of being too ambitious, however, and turning from an effective leader into an impatient taskmaster. While your drive to attain success and material wealth is powerful, it's important that you balance it with meaningful people, emotions, and experiences.
Expression number 9
Your 9 Expression is creative and compassionate and encourages you to find the best in everybody. Whether you're providing emotional support to a friend or engaged in a larger humanitarian effort, you strive to make life better for others. People see you as being friendly and affectionate, as long as you are immersing yourself in this altruistic work. If you are not living life in a way that is beneficial to other people, you could become self-centered and detached from important emotions.
Expression number 11
Having a Master Number 11 as your Expression blesses you with profound intuitive capabilities and an idealistic vision. You are driven by instinct and inspiration which give you a great, clear picture of the way things should be, yet you may lack the practical, organized thinking needed to bring your dreams to fruition. Still, your charismatic presence draws many people toward you who are in search of support, encouragement, and wisdom. You are a beacon of hope and light to those in need.
Expression number 22
Profound potential comes with a Master Number 22 Expression, which gives you a lot to live up to. In Numerology, this number is called the "Master Builder" because it is capable of constructing grand ideas and even grander realities. You are a cooperative team leader with a unique approach to solving problems and a desire to help others. You are headstrong and driven, yet this brings a risk of becoming so domineering that you lose the support of others. Remember that your goal is to create, not to destroy. You are in total control of your destiny.
Expression number 33
If your Expression is the Master Number 33, your mind and heart come together to make you an uplifting source of hope and healing. You have keen insight into the ways the world works, plus the creative communication skills to share this knowledge with humanity. Others turn to you to help guide them toward truth and inner knowledge -- you are an example of experience and enlightenment. Though it may often feel like you are burdened by other people's struggles, realize that you have been given these nurturing skills as a gift, and give of them freely.
If you are interested in discovering other Core numbers, explore the following articles:
- Numerology - Life Path Number
- Numerology - Birthday number
- Numerology - Expression number
- Numerology - Personality number
- Numerology - Soul Urge number