The Geometry of

Time, Weight and

Measure

#45 Thumb Ring

From the work of

Bernard I. Pietsch

By Suzanne Thompson
2015

In previous articles we have examined the metrological themes of three quintessential

Chinese artifacts: the pi disk, the cong, and the music stone. To this list we add another
form we regard as comparable in significance: the Mongolian archers thumb ring.
The subject of this study is a particular specimen we have named the #45 Thumb Ring
because of its numerous associations with the number 45. The story it has to tell resides
both in the utility of its form and in the artists ability to project his impression of the
harmony of the cosmos into a work of art. Our objective is to reconstruct a glimpse of that
cosmos. Essential to the endeavor is the application of a core set of measures we call the
Canon of Measure, the lens through which we will contact the deeper aspects of the #45
Thumb Ring.

I.
Introduction
In 1644 AD, Manchu warriors conquered
China. Though their numbers were few, the
Manchu were agile horsemen and
excellent archers, an advantage aided in
part by a single innovation: the archers
thumb ring. The ring both enhanced the
archers accuracy and protected his thumb
from the sting of the snapping bow string.
By the 19th century, the supremacy of bow
and arrow warfare had declined, and the
utility of the thumb ring had descended
from function into fashion. Decorative jade
reproductions worn by the socially elite
became an emblem of station acquired
less by prowess than by wealth. Coincident
with its transition from item of warfare to
fashion accessory the thumb ring was also
evolving into a venerable art form--its true
significance invested in its shape and
measure. The specimen we are about to examine is exemplary of this evolution.
We have named it the #45 Thumb Ring.
Though its origin is unknown, the #45 Thumb Ring is exceptional in its
expression of complex metrological virtues. We classify it as a work of art, not
only for its physical beauty and skillful execution but for the underlying values
conveyed by its geometry and measure. The term underlying refers to those
features which are fundamental but not obvious, and to those which are revealed
by number and number process alone. As required of all esoteric art, the higher
elements of the Thumb Rings form must be extracted and re-organized by the
inquiring observer.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/11217627/Secrets-of-the-Jade-Cong

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In the course of our examination, we will measure, weigh and report on the
artifact as it actually is and then consider the attributes of the sculpture as if it
were rendered geometrically perfect, constructing as Plato would call a sensible
copy of the ideas to which it alludes. The two versions, the actual and its
geometric ideal produce more information than either alone can generate. The
physical ring relates to standards of material, weight and density. The
theoretical thumb ring on the other hand evolves itself from pure number and
most extraordinarily, from Time. Using the shape of the Ring as guide, we will
investigate the Thumb Ring as if it were fashioned from different substances. We
will look at the metrological consequences of transmuting the ring into gold and
consider the attributes of the ring as if its shape were filled with water. Of
particular interest will be indications of how the qualities of gold and water
mediated by number, may have evolved as standards of measure expressed
through sculpture.
If there are small discrepancies between the measure of the physical Thumb
Ring and its geometric complement, it is of little consequence. The #45 Thumb
Ring is poetry in measure. The intention of the artist to approximate the ideal is
unmistakable. It is our hope that the result of this inquiry will return the thumb ring
to its rightful station as an insightful work of art--as an acquisition afforded not
only to the wealthy but to those receptive to its awe-inspiring properties.

Fig. 1 Peony carving

Fig. 2 Chrysanthemum carving

Fig. 3 Position of thumb ring on archers hand.

The earliest known thumb rings date from about
1250 BCE and were carved from stone or bone.

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THE GEOMETRY OF TIME, WEIGHT AND MEASURE: The #45 Thumb Ring

I.

#45 Thumb Ring

1.

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Initiating from 45

The #45 Thumb Ring is carved from a reddish

serpentine-like material. Its cylindrical shape
encloses an inner empty bore which is also
uniformly cylindrical. The top and bottom end planes
of the thumb ring are parallel to one another as are
the sides. The exterior of the ring is inscribed with a
floral motif, framed by a narrow border at the top
and bottom edges of the design. The inside wall or
bore of the ring is smooth save for two fine lines
etched around the inner circumference about a
centimeter from the top.

The most obvious association with the number 45 is found in the decorative
seal of the Thumb Ring. The peony and chrysanthemum carved into the
stone have a total of 45 petals: 24 petals in the peony and 21 petals in the
chrysanthemum. (Fig. 4)

Fig. 4 Rubbing of the #45 Thumb Ring. Peony and chrysanthamum seal is framed top and
bottom by two borders.

2.

The second and simplest recurrence is found in the ratio of the height of the
Thumb Ring to its diameter. The external proportions conceal a relationship
which in two more steps produces a number very close to 45. Notice here
that the height to diameter ratio is nearly the same number as the radius of
the ring: .8266062569"
1.366110041" height
= .8263366201 ratio
1.653212514" diameter
.8263366201 x 2 = 1.6526732 very nearly diameter in inches.
1.652673210 = 44.944153

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3.

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An indirect but precise derivation of the diameter of the Thumb Ring

appropriates the common logarithm of the number 45 which fixes the
diameter of the ring at 1.653212514 inches:
45-10 = 1.653212514 inches in diameter of ring.

4.

With the match between the common logarithm of 45 (1.653212514) and the
diameter of the cylinder (1.653212514 inches) secured, the circumference
of the cylinder can be accessed by invoking canon : b
45-10 = 1.653212514 inches in diameter of ring.
1.653212514 x 3.141986363 = 5.194371173"circum. of cylinder

5.

The exterior of the ring is decorated with a carved peony and

chrysanthemum seal. Fig. 4 (The two parallel borders that frame the
seal at top and bottom have their own significance and will be considered
separately in Observation #17)
The conventional method for finding the number of square millimeters in the
seal would be to multiply the height of the seal (29.53027161mm) by its
circumference (131.7158137mm) to acquire 3889.603755 square
millimeters in the area of the seal.
But this same number, 3889.603755 can also be produced from the number
45 via two different avenues. In Observation #3 the number derived from
the common log of 45 obtained the inches in the diameter of the ring. Divide
that by 2 for the radius, multiply the result by 10, and find its anti-natural log-but read it as the number of square millimeters in the area of the seal. Note
the process below shifts between inches and millimeters and makes no
reference to pi.

6.

Confirmation that the Rings diameter is initiated from 45-10 is reinforced by

the following approach which uses the reciprocal of the common logarithm
of 45 times 10 as another method for naming the area of the seal. Mediated
by the number of square canon millimeters in one square inch, the resulting
numerically derived figure is less than a quarter millimeter from the actual
area of the seal, affirming the connectivity of 45 with the metrics of the ring.
45-10 = 1.653212514 inches in diameter of ring.
1.653212514 = .8266062569 mm radius of ring
2
.8266062569 x 10 = 8.266062569
e
8.266062569 = 3,889.603755 sq. mm area of the seal

Canon : 3.141986363

Conventional : 3.14159265359

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45-10 = 1.653212514 inches in diameter of ring.

1_____
= .6048829123
1.653212514
.6048829123 x 10 = 6.048829123
6.048829123 inches
2
2
x 642.9983804 mm (the number of mm in one sq. inch)
2
3,889.387329 mm derived area of the seal
(3,889.603755 mm2 actual area of the seal)
7.

An example of how the Thumb Rings dimensions hover

around derivatives of perfect canon numbers begins
again with the number 45. This instance finds that the
square root of the log of 45 divided by 2 lands within
striking distance of the cylindrical surface area of the
Ring: 9090.154975 mm2 (Fig. 5)

Fig. 5 Cylindrical
form of Thumb
Ring

(The cylindrical form is purely geometric and does not account for the
carved away portion of the seal which will be shown to be of
significance in its own right.)

45-10 = 1.653212514
1.653212514 = .826606256
2
.826606256 = .909178891
.909178891 x 104 = 9091.78891 mm2 derived.
9090.154975 mm2 actual surface area of ring.
1.634 mm2 difference

8.

If the order of the universe is seen to be intrinsically connected with number

and that this underlying association organizes the canon system, then it is
surely demonstrated by the utility of the number 45, this time as an
approximation of the number of days in the solar year. The allusion stems
from the common log of the number 45, which as inches is also the same
number as the diameter of the Thumb Ring:
45-10 = 1.653212514 inches in diameter of ring
1.6532125142 = 2.733111616
1
2.733111616

100 = 365.883336

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9.

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That modern grams and ouncesc depart slightly from our canonical ideal is
not a refutation of process, it is rather an affirmation of the persistence of the
canon to emerge. The geometric connection between the canon gram and
the canon ounce is a case in point. Here it surfaces in the kinship between
the gram and the avoirdupois ounce. The agent of the connection is the
cosine of 45 degrees:
45 COSINE = .7071068
.7071068 INV TAN = 35.26438968
1
= .0283572184
35.26438968

.0283572184
x 103 = 28.3572184

The number of canon grams to the av. ounce.

With a common ancestor in 45, we no longer have to think of the gram and
the ounce as arbitrary and unrelated units of measure. They are now joined
in the family of the canon.
10. In the Observation above we found the signature of the Thumb Ring, the
number 45 expressed as the conversion between canon grams and canon
ounces as derived from the cosine of 45. Next we find it concealed in
another way, in the circumference of the inner empty hole of the Ring. To
uncover the relationship, multiply the square root of the inches in the
circumference by 2, then by 10, and divide the result by the number of
millimeters in the inch. The result is very nearly the square root of 2 and its
reciprocal the cosine of 45 degrees, the angle which bisects the square.
3.215478876 = 1.79317564
1.79317564 x 2 = 3.5863512
3.5863512 x 10 = 35.863512

2 = 1.41213562
35.8635128
= 1.414320664
25.357142173mm/inch
1____ = .7070532346 cosine of 45.00433863
1.414320664
(.7071067809 cosine of 45.00
perfectly)

The numerical connections listed thus far revolve around the dimensions of the
Thumb Ring. Some were expressed as inches, some as millimeters and some as
a combination of both. In a few steps we were able to extract the height,
diameter, radius and circumference of the ring, the surface area and the area of
the seal from the number 45. The adaptability of the number 45 lies in its
numerical and geometric roots: as the sum of the first nine digits, as the eight 45
degree angles in the bisected corners of the square and as the eight 45 degree
angles in the circle of 360 degrees. Herodotus alluded to these as the eight gods
c

Modern Conversions: 15.432 grains/gram. 28.349523125 grams/ounce avoirdupois.

5,760 grains /troy lb. 7,000 grains /pound avoirdupois.

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who came before the rest. In further observations we will continue to explore
the number 45 not only as it interfaces with geometry, but also as it relates to
measures of weight, to concepts of time, to elements of astronomy and to
calendrical timing--all aspects invested in the form of the Thumb Ring and unified
in the Canon of Measure.

III.
ravity
When our discussion turns to elements of astronomy and
precession, the significance of the Rings empty inner hole will
be revisited, but for now we will attend to the observation that
the circumference of the inner space 3.215478876 inches,
multiplied by 10, and taken as feet approximates the canon
number for g, gravity: 32.15478876, the number of feet an
d
object falls in the second-second of its fall.

6 Circum. of inner
The experience of weight is inseparably joined to the measure Fig.Hole:
3.215478876
of gravity or g. g is a component in many experimental
procedures used in physics. The formulas used for determining the rate of a
pendulums swing or for calculating the acceleration of a falling object, rely on an
accurate discernment of the rate of the acceleration of gravity, conventionally
assigned as 32.15+/- feet per second per second.

11. Though not derived from the geometry of the Thumb Ring per se, a referent
for g can be acquired from the decorative designs of the peony and
chrysanthemum inscribed on the seal. Both the peony and the
chrysanthemum have diameters of one inch and areas of 505.0730735
square millimeters each. Their combined areas divided by canon pi, then by
10, deliver an approximation to g:
505.0730735 x 2 = 1010.146072 square mm area of both flowers.
1010.146072 square mm = 321.4991904152
3.141986363 canon
321.4991904152 = 32.14991904152
10
(32.15478876 canon g)
Specific Gravity
Rocks and minerals are classified by many criteria: color, hardness, crystalline
structure, process of formation etc. Another defining category is a materials
specific gravity. Specific gravity identifies the ratio between the volume and the
weight of a material. One cubic foot of a substance has a given weight; one cubic
foot of a different substance has a different weight. The volume of each
commodity is the same, one cubic foot, but the weight of each is different.
Conversely, if we were to measure out equal weights of two different materials

Conventional average is 9.80665 m/s2 or 32.1740 ft/s2

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and measure their volumes, we would see that though they weighed the same,
the volume (size) of the portions weighed would be different.
The scientific method for determining specific gravity entails first weighing an
object in the air on an accurate triple balance scale. Next the object is hung by a
thread from the scale, and while submerged in water, weighed again. Buoyed by
the water, the object weighs less than it did in air. The difference between the
two weights (air weight minus the weight of the object submerged in water) is
used as the divisor of the weight of the object in air. The resulting ratio is called
the specific gravity of the weight of the material, relative to its weight in water.
12. To calculate the specific gravity of the Thumb Ring its weight in grams in
water must be subtracted from its weight in air. The difference between its
weight in air, (72.76430578 grams) and its weight in water, (44.40708738
grams) is 28.3572184 grams. This difference is the same number as the
number of grams in one canon ounce: 28.3572184. The rings air weight
(72.76430578 gm ) divided by the difference (28.3572184 gm) is its specific
gravity: 2.565988834
72.76430578 grams in air
-44.40708738 grams in H2O
28.3572184 the difference
grams wt. in air:
air wt. minus water wt:

72.76430578 = 2.565988834 specific gravity of

28.3572184
material of Ring.

To reiterate: the #45 Thumb Ring weighs 2.565988834 ounces: precisely

the same number as its specific gravity. Secondly, it displaces exactly
one ounce (28.3572184 grams) of water when submerged. These
relationships are enabled not only by the density of the particular piece of
serpentine out of which the Thumb Ring is made but also by the finesse of
the carving which removes exactly the right amount of stone from the pure
cylindrical form. An uncarved cylinder of identical material and dimensions
would have weighed 74.4329263 grams. The carved ring weighs
72.76430578 grams, a difference of 1.668620582 grams--less than two
grams removed by carving away the seala tolerance indicating the degree
of fine tuning rendered by the artist.
13. Notice in what follows more convergences between logarithmic functions
and weight. Referring back to Observation #4 see that the circumference of
the Ring is 5.194371173". The natural logarithm of the Rings circumference
is 1.647575573 inches. The anti-common log of this number is very close to
the weight of the object in water:
5.194371173-e = 1.647575573
1.647575573 10 = 44.41969504 Which is very close
to 44.40708738 the number of grams of the
Rings weight in water.

(We will revisit the significance of the rings circumference relative to the
weight of the material from which it is made in Observation #53.)

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14. The area of the seal of the Thumb Ring incorporates an unusual affiliation
between grams of weight and inches of length, two apparently unrelated
features. The reciprocal of the number of grams in one cubic inch of water
(16.03535301gm/cu inch) (times 103) then squared is very close to the
number of square mm in the actual area of the seal: 3,889.603755mm2
1
= .0623622068
16.03535301
.0623622068 x 103 = 62.3622068
62.36220682 = 3,889.044833
2
The actual area is 3,889.603755 mm
(Note: In this exercise, the borders (gray) are not considered part of the area of the seal.)

Fig.7 #45 Thumb Ring rubbing of seal (without borders in gray.)

15. In the observation above, the number of the area of the seal (3,889.603755
2
mm ) was generated from the number of grams in one cubic inch of water
(16.03535301 gm.) Now we will acquire the number of pounds in the weight
of one cubic foot of water from the number 45 itself:
45 x 10 = 450 The natural logarithm of 450 is 6.10924753
6.10924753 x 10 = 61.0924753
The weight of one cubic ft of H20 is 61.0715092 lbs.
(The anti-natural logarithm of 6.10715092 is

449.0574902, very nearly 450.)

16. To acquire the number of ounces in one cubic foot of water from the
physical attributes of the Thumb Ring, begin with the number of cubic
inches in one ounce of water, 1.768418718 cu. inches. (Notice that the
mass of the Thumb Ring is also 1.768418718 cubic inches.) Then divide the
cubic inches in one cubic foot (1728) by the number of cubic inches in one
ounce of water (1.768418718 oz./ cu" H20). The result is 977.1441472
ounces. Because the volume of the Thumb Ring is also one ounce, the
number 977.1441472 answers the question, How many Thumb Rings
would fill a cubic foot? Keep this number in mind as it will prove to be very
meaningful in other applications.
1728 cu" in 1 cu' = 977.1441472 oz. avoirdupois in one cubic foot of H 0
2
1.768418718 oz in 1 cu" H20
1728 cu" in 1 cu'
= 977.1441472 Thumb Ring volumes in 1 cubic foot.
1.768418718 cu" Thumb Ring

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The next observations deal with two areas in the ring. The first applies to
the area of the borders of the seal and the second to the surface area of the
ring as a cylinder. Each separate feature leads indirectly to the indication of
two other attributes of the ring: one of volume, one of surface area.
17. The seal of the Thumb Ring is framed at top and bottom by two small
borders. (Fig 8.)

Fig. 8 Top and bottom borders (dark areas) of the seal.

Both borders added together have a combined area of 673.1658753 mm2.

The reciprocal of 2 times the common logarithm of this area, times 10 is very
close to the actual volume of stone in the ring: 1.768418718 cubic inches.
673.1658753-10 = 2.828122092
2.828122092 x 2 = 5.656244184
1
= 1.767957619 derived
5.656244184 x 10
(1.768418718 cu"
Actual volume of ring)

18. The area of the end plane of the Ring, including the hole is 2.146849856 sq.
inches. (Fig. 9) The 5th power of the number for that area is 45.6045691,
which times 100 would be very close to 4,562.76963, the number of square
millimeters in the area of the Rings seal and borders. The accuracy here is
.99949316.
5

2.146849856 = 45.6045691
45.6045691 x 100 = 4,560.45691
Actual square mms in seal and borders:
4,562.76963

Fig. 9 Area of end plane

including hole.

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IV. Equatorial Measures

Linear canon units have counterparts in units of time. The number of feet in the
canon mile (5258.16) for example is matched by the number of minutes in the
canon year (525816 minutes). The connection of linear measure with time, timing
and the whole array of Earth divisions is made possible by the availability of an
equatorial measure. With an equatorial referent in hand, and using the back drop
of the stars, the amount of Earths rotation in a day, in an hour or in one second
of time can be assessed. In other writing we have called the equator the big
book of Earth measure as it contains and commands all lesser units; all are
subservient to the equator and must harmonize with it.
19. The Thumb Ring generates a number which aspires to be identified with the
canon number for the Earths circumference in feet, 131,454,000. It comes
from two times the area of the seal plus the area of both borders.
Area of seal 6.049165711 sq" x 2 = 12.098331422 sq"
12.098331422 sq"
+ 1.046915690 sq" Area of borders
13.145247112 sq" Area of seal x 2 + Area of borders
13.145247112 x 107 = 131,452,471.12
(The canon representation would be 131,454,000 ft. equator)

20. With the knowledge of the number of feet in the equator (131,454,000 feet)
and the number of seconds in one canon day (87,636 seconds) the number
of feet the Earth rotates in one second of time can be ascertained. On the
equator the Earth rotates through 1500 feet in one second of time.
131,454,000 feet = 1500 feet/second
87,636 seconds
With this knowledge some additional information can be extracted from the
Thumb Ring: If the number for the area of both borders and the seal
(4,562.76963 mm2) were to be taken as feet instead of mm2, it could be
asked, How long would it take the earth to rotate through 4,562.76963 feet
on the equator?
4,562.76963'
= 3.04184642 seconds of time to rotate
Feet rotation per second: 1500'
thru 4,562.76963'
Answer: It would take 3.04184642 seconds of time at a rate of 1500 feet per
second. Now it may be asked, If 3.04184642 seconds of time were the
period of a pendulum, how many times would that pendulum beat in one
day? To find out, divide the canon seconds in a day by the number of
seconds in the pendulums swing (forth and back) to arrive at the number of
swings in one day:
87,636 seconds/ can. day = 28,810.133 swings in one day.
3.04184642 seconds of time

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The answer, the number 28,810.133 closely approximates the number of the
cubic mm in the volume of stone in the Ring: 28,833.66986 cubic mm.
Reversing the direction of the above exercise and beginning instead from
the number of canon seconds in the day (87,636 seconds) and dividing it by
the volume of the Ring (28,833.66986 mm3) we would arrive at 3.039363369.
3.039363369 times the number of feet rotation per second, 1500 feet/sec,
would put us very close to the number for the area of the seal and borders:
87,636_____
= 3.039363369
28,833.66986
3.039363369 x 1500' = 4,559.045054
The derived number, 4,559.045054 as square mm minus the actual area of
the seal and borders (4,562.76963 mm2 ) is a difference of less than 4 mm2 .
21. Keeping with the theme of equatorial measures, the number of seconds in
one canon day divided by the cubic inches in the volume of the geometric
cylinder produces a very large number, which when divided by 10-10
produces a very small number, a figure we recognize as indicating the
number for the tangent of one second of arc:
87,636 sec/can. day = 48,445.19852
1.808971742 cu vol. cylin.
48,445.19852 10-10 = .0000048445
.0000048445 INV TAN = .0002775705
INV DMS: .00 00 .999254 or 00' 01" one second of arc.
(Perfectly the tangent of one second of arc would be .0002777777.)
V. Time and Length
In the first part of the 18th century Europeans were just beginning to scientifically
standardize units of time, length and volume; the second of time, the English foot
of linear measure and the pound of weight were becoming codified. A thousand
or more years earlier there is evidence that the metrological system we refer to
as the Canon of Measure was already operational. As discussed throughout our
presentations, canon measure is epitomized by the harmonization of units of
volume, length and number function with time--a synthesis enabled by the
properties of the precessing pendulum. The process of converting units of
length into units of time is facilitated by one number in particular, a number we
have found referenced in many ancient artifacts: 1.228068554. As the length of
a pendulum, 1.228068554 feet has a one to one correspondence with the period
of time that a pendulum that long would beat: 1.228068554 seconds--same
number, different functions--one of length, one of time.

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In the Thumb Ring, we find 1.228068554 by dividing the volume of stone in the
ring by the number of square inches in the square foot divided by 100: 1.44.
1.768418718 cu"
1.44

VOL. OF STONE IN RING

= 1.228068554

It is our view that the integration of time and measure by way of the performing
pendulum is the key to many monumental works of antiquity including the
Egyptian obelisks.e Yet, the Mongolian Thumb Ring, humble by comparison to
the obelisks of Egypt is no less articulate in expression. Neither size nor
grandeur alone qualifies sculpture as monumental. Merit is acquitted by the
skillful execution of canon values which in turn reflects the integration and vision
of the mind of the artist.
The scored lines m and n
22. The transformative properties of the pendulum
which effectively convert length into time can
also be applied to a small object like the Thumb
Ring. In the #45 Thumb Ring there are two finely
scored lines or circumferences on the inside
cylindrical wall of the ring. The amount of
separation between the parallel lines (m and n)
is a source of information as are the distances
from each line to the top and bottom of the ring. Fig. 10 Top of ring "e"
Scored lines "m" and "n"
(Fig. 10)
The measured distance from the top of the ring
(e) to the lower scored line (n) is .3906935245 inches. This number
multiplied by 100, is 39.06935245 inches or 3.255779371 feet. If
3.255779371 feet were the length (L) of a pendulum, what would be the
frequency (T) of its swing? Using the formula for finding the period of a
pendulums length: 2 times the square root of L (length) divided by g
(gravity) = time of swing (T), we have:
2 x

(L)

3.255779371'
(g) 32.15481179

= 1.999580022 seconds of time (T)

Within 1000ths, we were able to capture a 2 second pendulum, from a detail

on the Thumb Ring augmented by a factor of 100. The relevance of a two
second period is that it allows the distillation of the rate of acceleration in the
fall of an object, a determination requiring more than one second of time to
reckon.
23. Having engaged the Thumb Ring with time and the function of the pendulum
in the exercise above, we noticed another hidden attribute of the distance
between e and n, an association which originates from pure number. The

See Appendix XV for how time and length are unified in the Egyptian obelisk via the pendulum.

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connection begins with the reciprocal of the natural logarithm of 10,000 and
ends with a number very close to the distance in inches from the top of the
ring (e) to the lower scored line (n) when divided by 100: .3906935245.
1
-e = .1085736
(10,000 )
.1085736 x 360 = 39.086503
39.086503 = .39086503
100
(.3906935245 is inches between e and n)
Divide 39.086503 by 12 inches to get feet:
39.086503 (as inches) = 3.2572086 feet
12
Using 3.2572086 feet as the length (L) of a pendulum, what is its period (T)?

(L)

3.2572086' = 1.9997683 seconds (T)

(g) 32.15481179
Again, almost exactly 2 seconds of time.
2 x

Saturn source of measuref

Another reference worthy of note produces nearly the same number of seconds
as the previous two observations, but in this case, the length of the pendulum
originates from the number of canon days in the orbit of the planet Saturn
10609 days. Saturn also known as Kronos is an iconic figure in the Canon of
Measure and one to which we have referred numerous times in other writing.
Here the two-second pendulum is derived from the father of time itself.
10609
103

= 10.609
10.609 = 3.25714599 as feet in length of a pendulum (L)
2 x

(L)

3.25714599' = 1.9997642 seconds of time (T)

(g) 32.15481179'

24. The connection between Saturn and the #45 Thumb Ring is effected
through the total surface area of the Ring, 14.1371351 sq. inches and can
be generated from the perfect canon number 10609, associated with
Saturns orbit. 10609 squared, divided by 10-08, times x 4 puts us very
close to the number required for the square inches in the surface area of the
Ring: 14.1371351
f

More references to the planet Saturn, time-keeper of the solar system can be found in our online article
Art, Measure and Synchronicity: An Introduction to the Canon of Measure at
http://www.scribd.com/bernardpietsch/
Note: the conventional figure for g is averaged at 9.80665 meter/second or 32.17404855643
feet/second

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(106092 ) x
10-08

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3.536333333
3.536333333 x 4 = 14.1453333
Perfectly:

14.1371351 sq. inches surface area,

a difference of .008 sq. inches.

25. Correspondence with the timing of Saturn is reiterated by the Thumb Ring in
the distance between the top of the ring and the distance to the first
inscribed line m.
The distance is 9.283603421mm. The number
9.283603421 taken to its natural logarithm represents the calendar days in
Saturns orbit: 10,760.767.
9.283603421

= 10,760.13544

The number of calendar days K, the ratio 1.010430555 converts calendar

days (solar reckoning) to canon days (360/year). The precise numbers
would be 10,760.767 1.01430555 = 10,609 canon days in Saturns orbit,
referenced above.
26. We have already observed several correspondences between the Thumb
Ring, the two-second pendulum, the number 45 and Saturn. But the link
between Kronos and the Thumb Ring does not end here. Given that the
family of canon measures interconnects on many levels, it comes as no
surprise but as an intriguing correlation, that an attribute of the planet Saturn
(the number of canon miles in its circumference 236,617.2), the number 45,
and the number of feet in the canon mile (5258.16) are directly related:
236,617.2 canon miles
45

circum. = 5258.16 number of feet/ canon mile

27. In the pantheon of canon measures the common cubit of 20.6 inches is a
presiding member. Its roots go deep and spread wide in all of ancient
architecture. It is one of the most frequently utilized measures in the canon
and as a number is closely affiliated with Saturn and the golden number.
In the Thumb Ring 20.6 emerges from the square root of the number of
square inches in the surface area of the cylinder. To find it, divide the square
root of the surface area by ten and use the result as the tangent of an angle.
The angle is 20.60.
14.1371351 = 3.759938178
3.759938178 = .3759938178
10
.3759938178 is the tangent of 20.60595028
VI. Golden Connections
The relationships articulated above are enabled by underlying numerical
coincidences. That some of those correspondences err in the third, fourth or fifth
decimal place does not subtract from the competence of the Thumb Ring as an
artful communication. We remain astonished by the acuity of the piece. In the
next exercises we will continue to examine the interaction of Thumb Ring

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measures with established metrological constants: the number 10, the number
12, the weight of gold, the weight of water, the golden number and the defining
angle of the geometric cube, its major diagonal.
28. The first illustration connects the height of the ring in millimeters with the
number 12. 12 is deeply allied with the inch system: it is the number which
defines the inches in the foot, it is the square root of 144 inches in the
square foot, and the cube root of 1728, the number of cubic inches in the
cubic foot. The two systems, inch and millimeter are conjoined in the height
of the Thumb Ring by the square root of 12:

12 = 3.464101615
3.464101615 x 10 = 34.64101615 mm height of Thumb Ring.
(The number 12 augmented by 100, will come into play shortly as 1200, the
number of pounds troy in one cubic foot of gold.)
29. In the opening Observations the rings height and diameter expressed as
inches were linked to the number 45. In the above exercise the Rings height
in millimeters was associated with the square root of the number 12. Next,
the product of the Rings height and width will reveal a number conjured
from the number 10, another fundamental note of the piece. The height of
the Ring (34.64101615 mm) x its diameter (41.92119204 mm) is 1452.19269
2.
mm Notice: the common logarithm of the square root of 10 produces within
a square millimeter, an identifying likeness.

10 10

= 1453.040302 (Less than one mm2 difference from 1452.19269.)

30. Referring back to Observation #12, where we considered what the weight of
the #45 Thumb Ring would be if its volume were not serpentine but water,
we found that if the mass of the ring were water it would be equal to the
weight of one ounce of water: 28.3572184 grams. It was also pointed out that
one ounce of water has the same number of cubic inches as the number of
cubic inches in the ring:
1.768418718 cubic inches volume in #45 Thumb Ring.
1.768418718 cubic inches in one ounce of water.
Continuing in a similar vein, if we could magically transmute or change the
#45 Thumb Ring from serpentine into gold, how much would it then weigh?
We have established that the volume of the ring is 1.768418718 cubic inches
and that one cubic foot (1728 cubic inches) would hold 977.1441472 Thumb
Ring volumes:
1728 cu" in one cu' = 977.1441472 Thumb Rings in 1 cubic foot
1.768418718 cu" serpentine

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Therefore, if one cubic foot of gold weighs 1200 lbs. troy, (.69444 lbs. per
cubic inch) and if there are 977.1441472 Thumb Rings in one cubic foot, then
one Thumb Ring would weigh 1.228068554 troy lbs. if it were gold.
1200 lbs. gold cubic foot = 1.228068554 lbs. troy--the amount the Thumb
977.1441472 Thumb Rings/cubic foot
Ring would weigh if pure gold.
We have identified 1.228068554 as the number of feet in the length of a
pendulum which has a frequency of the same number, 1.228068554 beats
per second. The intersection of time and length is now linked with the
Thumb Rings weight as gold.
31. A reference to the golden number .618 or 1.618 can be derived from the
area of the Thumb Rings seal. The area of the seal 3,889.603755 sq mm
divided by 5 = 777.9207509. The cube root of 777.9207509 is 9.19697739.
If 9.19697739 were the number of degrees in an angle, the tangent of the
angle would be .1619105202, very nearly the perfect canon golden number
1.618122977.
3,889.603755 sq mm = 777.9207509
5
3
777.9207509 = 9.19697739
The tangent of the angle

9.19697739 is .1619105202
.1619105202 x 10 = 1. 619105202

32. A process similar to the one above enlists the number of the natural
logarithm of the surface area of the whole cylinder, 9090.154957 sq mm,
expressed sexigesimally as an angle. The number for the tangent of that
angle (x 10) is again very close to the canon golden number 1.618122977.
9090.154957

-e

= 9.114947236 (a decimal number)

9.114947236 read sexigesimally is 9 11' 49"

9 11' 49 read decimally is 9.197075656 and its tangent is .16191228

(Perfectly this angle would read 9.191493333 and its tangent would be .1618122977)
33. Observation #32 derived a referent to the golden number by way of the cube
root of area of the seal. A similar result completely by-passing the area of
the seal can be extracted from the namesake number of the Thumb Ring:
the square root of the log of 45:
45-10 = 1.285773119
1
1.285773119

= .7777421888
3

.7777421888

x 10 = 9.196273656
The tangent of 9.196273656 is .1618979157
Perfect canon phi:

1.618122977

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The pattern of precession in structure is ubiquitous in the natural order.

In the arrangement of the stacked carpels on a pinecone, each row is
arrayed helically from stem to tip. In the overall pattern, numerous
rotations occur before the outer leading carpel once again aligns over
the position where the first carpel on the first level exited. Actually, they
only nearly align. The circle of precession, expressed even in the
pinecone, never perfectly realigns with where it began. In the interim
time and life have intervened; the starting point has moved on.
Poetically, Nature proclaims there is no going back.

VII. Precession
Fig. 13 Vertical
Thepattern
long ofperiod of astronomical observation known as
precessionisinmarked when a certain point on the celestial
equinoxes
overpinecone.
a certain point on the earth at a certain time on

the precession of the

equator appears to be
the day of the spring
equinox. Each year the convergence of the two points, one stellar, one terrestrial
appears to arrive short of the previous years position by a little bit. Each year the
amount of this departure called precession is noted and tallied. When the total
number of seconds of arc disjunction (precession) accumulates to 1,296,000
seconds of arc, the number of seconds of arc in a full circle, the cycle is complete
and the heavenly asterisk appears once again over its earthly match.
Momentarily. The cycle of disjunction and return begins again. The whole
process takes about 25,825.84232 calendar years--one full cycle is called the
precession of the equinoxes.
Considering the length of time needed to complete just one cycle, the concept of
the precession of the equinoxes is a notion of great magnitude. But, with the aid
of calculation the rate of the precession can be abstracted into an average
amount of precession per year. Thus distilled a vast period of time can be
contemplated relative to the lifetime of a human being. After about 72 years an
individual will have witnessed that since the time of his or her birth, the
constellations had advanced about one degree along the path of their heavenly
course, the ecliptic.
34. It takes 71.73845089 years for the equinoxes to precess through one
degree of arc in the precessional cycle. We find that number intimated in the
Thumb Ring through the square root of the number of inches in the inner
circumference of the Thumb Ring.
3.215478876 = 1.79317564
1.79317564 x 2 = 3.58635128
3.58635128 x 10 = 35.8635128
35.8635128 x 2 = 71.7270256
(71.73845089 years perfectly)
35. The rate of precession, the amount of slippage per year between the
referent celestial and terrestrial points of alignment, averages about 50.90+/seconds of arc annually. In order to calculate rate, divide the number of

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seconds of arc in the circle (1,296,000 seconds) by the period of the whole
cycle: 25,825.84232 calendar years or 25,461.6 canon years.g
1,296,000 seconds of arc
25,461.6 canon years

= 50.90017909 seconds of arc

average precession per canon year.

36. We have found the figure 50.90 referenced in many ancient sculptures and
expressed in various conformities. As rate is a statistical notion, we find it
appropriately indicated in the Thumb Ring in the volume of the inner empty
space, divided by the number of degrees in the circle. (Fig. 11)
There are 18,324.30604 cubic millimeters in the volume of the
empty inner space of the Thumb Ring. This number, divided by
360 is the mean number of seconds precession in the
astronomical year: 50.90085 seconds.
18,324.30604 = 50.90085
360

Fig. 11 Volume of
empty bore.

37. A figure similar to the one above is found by dividing the volume
of the whole geometric cylinder by the volume of the inner space
and multiplying the result by the square root of 1000 which is 31.6227760:

1000

= 31.6227760

1.808971842 cu in vol. cylinder

= 1.60960417
1.123861303 cu in vol. inner space
1.60960417 x

1000 = 50.90015315

Calendrical precession and the timing of the year

38. The last quarter day of the solar year, the residual six hours and eleven
minutes left over every year after the completion of the 365 th day, accrues
to an extra leap day every fourth year. The calculation of the last quarter
day requires astronomical expertise and mathematical sophistication. This
coveted measure is indicated in the Thumb Ring by the volume of the Rings
inner space. As there is no actual event heralding the last quarter day
other than its disjunction with the calendar, it is appropriate that the measure
associated with the last quarter day evolves from nothing--from the volume
of empty space inside the ring: 18,324.30604mm.3
18,324.30604mm3 = 135.3673005
135.3673005 -e x 100 = 490.7991828
490.7991828e = 6.196035048
6.196035048 (read decimally) or 6 hours 11 min 45.72617 seconds.
The difference between calendar years and canon years is the ratio K: 1.01430555
is used in the canon system to translate solar days/year (365) to degree days/year
(360) The year of 360 days is anciently referred to as the sacred year.
g

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39. The calendrical year of 365 days of 24 hours each is one way of
accounting annual time based on the movement of the sun. Another
method, the sidereal year (year of the stars) marks the passage and return
of a referent star to a particular place in the heavens. Sidereal days are
slightly shorter than solar days, thus a sidereal year lasts about a day longer
than the solar year. The 366+ days in the sidereal year can be configured
from the Thumb Ring, from its height: 1.366110041 inches.
1.3661100412 x 4 = 7.46526576
7.46526576

= 2.73222082
1
= .3660027267
2.73222082

.3660027267 x 1000 = 366.0027262 as days in the sidereal year.

In order to set the context for how a sculpture can embody references to time,
weight and material we will digress briefly to discuss the metrological links
between the canon grain, gram and ounce and then return to observe how these
expressions are configured in the #45 Thumb Ring.
Precession and the grain: Weight derived from Time
The grain of weight appears in many systems of measure. The grain allows
comparison of the volumes of different materials relative to their weights.
Modernly the grain is equivalent in both avoirdupois and troy systemsone grain
avoirdupois and one grain troy are equal in weight regardless of what is being
weighed. If the specific gravity of two materials is different, the volume of material
needed to weigh one grain will differ, but as far as weight is concerned, a grain is
a grain: one grain of gold, one grain of silver or one grain of serpentine all weigh
the same.
The grain is not only the smallest single unit of weight; it is a seed around which
other canon units numerically assemble. The integrity of the canon system
obliges fundamental units like the inch, the grain and the second of time, to be
linked to number, natural process and to other canon units of measure.
Canonical associations between units are not restricted by category, class or
scale. A single canon unit is both part of the whole and a reflection of the whole;
to have the part, one must have the all. The all in this case is the complete cycle
of the precession of the equinoxes. In our next observation, the part under
consideration is a very small unit of weight which cross references a very great
measure of Time. That very small measure would be the canon grain, and the
great measure of time the cycle of the precession of the equinoxes.
40. The process begins by bridging astronomy with the canon through the
natural logarithm of the rate of the precession of the equinoxes:
50.90017909 seconds of arc average precession per year.
50.90017909

-e

= 3.929866442

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We recognize 3.92 as the mean number of minutes difference between the

length of Earths solar day and Earths sidereal (star) day.
41. To find the minutes difference between the two types of days, subtract the
number of minutes in the mean sidereal day from the number of minutes in
the mean solar day. The average daily precession from sidereal time to
mean solar time is 3.928358436 minutes.
1440 minutes in the mean solar day
1436.071642 minutes in the mean sidereal day
3.928358436 minutes difference
Note that the square

of 3.928358436 is 15.432 the number of grains to the gram

42. The significance of the number 15.432 is further bolstered by the relevance
of its natural logarithm to the length of the solar year:
15.432

-e

= 2.736443276
1 = .3654378693
2.736443276
.3654378693 x 103 = 365.4378693

In Observation #35, it would not be possible to define the rate of precession in

one year, without the complete cycle of precession; the whole was needed to
apportion the part. In Observation #41 a year of observations was necessary to
configure the mean daily amount of precession between the solar and sidereal
days (3.92 minutes). In Observation #42 the offering of 365.4378693 associated
with the canon number for the solar year (365.2584232), though a bit fuzzy is a
necessary component in determining calendrical precession.
It is difficult to define one without comparison to something else. To define one
grain we have to ask, How many grains in a canon gram? For this task we
source the number of grains to the gram from the square of the number of
minutes difference between the mean solar and mean sidereal days: 15.432
(See #41)
Beginning with the grand cycle of the precession of the equinoxes we have
descended from the stars--through the rate of precession, through the solar year
and its sidereal counterpart to finally intersect with the material world and the tiny
grain of weight. At this conjunction we are electing to adopt 15.432 derived from
the difference between the mean solar and sidereal days and enhanced by its
association with precession, as the number of grains in one canon gram. In
the next section we will encounter yet another co-incidence: the proximity of the
one-inch pendulum, the concept of g, gravity and the origin of the troy ounce of
weight.

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VIII. The gram, the ounce, the one-inch pendulum and "g"
In the exercises above (#41), the number of grains to the gram was linked to the
time difference between the mean solar and sidereal days. 15.432 was chosen
as the number of canon grains to the gram. In Observation #9 we established the
number of canon grams to the canon avoirdupois ounce by way of the cosine of
45 degrees. Next, we turn our attention to the number of canon grams to the
canon troy ounce. The source of this denomination will be the one-inch
pendulum. We will also notice just how closely related the number of troy grams
to the ounce is to the number for g, another core concept at the heart of the
Canon of Measure.
43. The bond between the fundamental units of canon weight, the grain and the
gram and the basic unit of canon length, the inch is forged by the dissection
of the Earths equator with Time--by the amount of earth rotation in one
second of time. In this operation Time and length are mediated by the
pendulum. From the one-inch pendulum, the following actions can be
quantified:
A pendulum one-inch in length beats forth and back once in .319904745 of
one second of time.
In one second of time the Earth rotates through 1500 canon feet on the
equator.
During .319904745 seconds of time, the equator rotates through
479.8571172 feet.

(.319904745 seconds x 1500 feet canon equatorial rotation in one second = 479.8571172 feet.)

44. Let the number of feet of equatorial rotation in .319904745 seconds of time,
(479.8571172 feet) be assigned as the number of canon grainsh to one
canon ounce of troy weight.
479.8571172 canon grains = 1 canon ounce troy weight
To find the number of canon grams in one troy ounce, divide the canon
grains in one troy ounce by the grains in one gram:
479.8571172 cn. grains = 31.09494026 cn. grams in one troy ounce.
15.432 grains in one gram
The number for the canon grams in the troy ounce is directly related to the
measure of the Earths equator, to the rate of rotation on the equator, to the
second of time, and to the period of the pendulum. In any single moment,
one or another of these dynamics may fluctuate, but never far from the
mean. Each attribute is covertly expressed in the action of the one-inch
pendulum. This convergence of time, length and motion culminates in the
h

Conventional ascription of grains to ounce troy is 480, a difference of 0.1428825 of one grain with our
canon figure.

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number we will adopt for the canon grams to one troy ounce:
31.09494026
45. In a perfect world we would have liked to have seen that the number of
canon grams in one troy ounce could also be derived from the reciprocal of
the number for canon g.i
But on closer inspection we found that the
reciprocal of g at 31.0995445, though a worthy option would not be a close
enough match to the number generated from the one-inch pendulum.
31.09494026.
________1_
= .0310995445
32.15481179 (g)
.0310995445 x 1000 = 31.0995445. Close, but not quite.
(The number we adopted for canon grams/troy oz. derived from
the one-inch pendulum is 31.09494026)

46. If we were to reverse the process in Observation #45 above and start
instead from the adopted figure for the canon grams in one troy ounce,
31.09494026, and work backward to obtain g, the number acquired would
be slightly more than desired:
31.09494026 gms/troy oz derived from the inch
1000

= .03109494026

1____ = 32.15957323 Close, but not quite

.03109494026
32.15481179 adopted canon g
In the first instance (#45) we derived an imperfect number of grams to the troy
ounce from a perfect canon number for g. In the second instance (#46) we
derived an imperfect number for g from a perfect canon number of grams to the
troy ounce. What appears to be a disparity between the two approaches above
may instead be a gift disguised. Since the perception of weight of any measure is
inextricably linked to the value of g, variance in one has bearing on the
registration of the other. The discrepancy offers a caveat: Finality sought, is for
naught. The effort to arrive at origin is inevitably confronted by the certainty that
there will be variance. Nature is always in motion and number is never a perfect
match for action. Rigor, desirable as it may be mathematically, does not always
reflect reality. Any formula assigned a constant is subtly biased by the adopted
constant; approximation is thus the best that can be expected from number.
Measure taken in real time makes it possible to see variance in the natural order,
i

Canon g or 32.15481179 is the number of feet an object falls in the 2nd second of its fall, and also one of
the constants used in the formula for determining the frequency of the pendulum:
2

length
gravity

= Time

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to see departure from the mean, and to perceive more accurately what is
occurring in the moment.
More from the 1-inch pendulum, the diameter and volume of the hole...
There is more in store to be derived from the number for the frequency of the
one-inch pendulum, .319904745 of one second. The following observations
though not exact matches, are respectable approximations.
47. The one-inch pendulum swings forth and back once in .319904745 of one
second of timea number intimately connected with the value for g and to
the #45 Thumb Ring.
2
.3199047455 = .1023390456
.1023390462 x 10 is 1.023390462, recognizable as indicating the number of
inches in the diameter of the Thumb rings hole, found by dividing the
circumference of the hole by :
Circum of hole
Canon pi

3.215478876 = 1.023390462" diameter of hole.

3.141986363

48. The connections are deepened when we see that the reciprocal of the
number for the diameter of the hole 1.023390462, is familiar as the number
of inches in a 10-second pendulum.
_
1____
1.023390462 = .9771441472
.9771441472 x 103 = 977.1441472 inches in 10-second pendulum.
To reiterate, Observation #16 indicated 977.1441472 as the number of
ounces in one cubic foot of water and also the number of Thumb Rings in
one cubic foot:
61.0715092 lbs av. /cu. ft H20 x 16 oz/lb = 977.1441472 oz cu. Ft. H20
1728 cu" in 1 cu
= 977.1441472 Thumb Rings in one cubic foot.
1.768418718 cu in Thumb Ring
49. We found a different route to the same destination beginning with the period
of the one-inch pendulum, .319904745 seconds of time. This is the process:
Find the reciprocal:

_____1___
.319904745

= 3.125930511

Take the square root and let the result be cubic inches:

3.125930511 = 1.768030122 cubic inches

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Divide one cubic foot of inches (1728) by 1.768030122 cubic inches:

____1728__
1.768030122

977.3589142

The result 977.3589142 is very close to the number of times the volume of
the Thumb Ring would fit into a cubic foot. Perfectly would be
977.1441472 times.
Bring it all together
On the inside of the Thumb Ring, the distance from the top circumscribed line
(m) to the bottom of the ring is exactly one inch. From one inch we will extract a
measure of time using the pendulum and incarnate it as a measure of weightas
the weight of one cubic foot of the material from which the Thumb Ring is carved.
50. Begin with the number of seconds in the canon day (1460.6 minutes x 60
seconds = 87,636 seconds) and divide it by the number of seconds in the
period of a one-inch pendulum to find how many times a pendulum one inch
in length would oscillate in one canon day:
87636 canon seconds in a day
.319904745 seconds of 1"pendulum = 273,944.0463 pendulum swings in one day
Find the natural logarithm of 273,944.0463:
273,944.0463
Square 12.52067915:

-e

= 12.52067915

12.52067915 = 156.7674065 not quite, but remarkably close to

156.7088107 which is the actual weight in pounds per

cubic foot of the serpentine from which the

Thumb Ring is fashioned.

51. In Observations #23 we accessed the two second pendulum

and the common log of 10,000 from the two scored lines m
and n inside the bore. Now the number of millimeters distance
between the scored lines will be reiterated in the number of the
weight of the ring itself. In this instance it is expressed in terms
of pounds avoirdupois. To find the number, begin with the
gram weight of the #45 Thumb Ring (established in
Observation #12) at 72.76430578 grams. Divide by the
number of grams to the canon ounce (28.3572184 grams) to
find the weight of the Thumb Ring in ounces. (Recall from
Observation #12 that the weight of the Thumb Ring in ounces
is also the same number as its specific gravity: 2.565988834 )
72.76430578 gm av.
= 2.565988834 oz. Thumb Ring weight
28.3572184 gm/oz av

Fig. 12 Scored lines

m and n inside bore.

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To find how many Thumb Rings weigh one pound, divide the number
of ounces in one avoirdupois pound (16), by the number of ounces in
the Thumb Ring:
___16 oz.__ _
2.565988834 oz Thumb Ring wt =

6.235412948 Thumb rings in one lb.

Next divide the result by 10 and see the indication matching the
separation in millimeters between m and n:
6.235412948 = .6235412948 derived separation between m and n:
10
- .6233735314 mm actual separation between m and n
.000167763 difference

52. The two scored circumferences on the inside of the Thumb Ring link pure
number with geometry. The top line m is separated by .6233735314 mm.
from the lower line n (Fig. 12) If the distance between the lines (m and n) is
added to the height of the Ring, the sum is the same number as the number
of degrees in the angle of the major diagonal of any cube: 35.26438968
(Fig. 13)
34.64101615 mm height of ring
+ .6233735314 mm between scored lines
35.26438968 number of degrees in the angle of the major
Fig. 13 Major
diagonal of cube.

diagonal of the cube: 35.26438968 (Fig.13)

53. In Observation #4 we acquired the circumference of the Thumb Ring from

the common log of the number 45. We also acquired the number of ounces
in a cubic foot of water (977.1441472) and the number of pounds in a cubic
foot of the Thumb Rings serpentine-like material (156.7088107 lbs. to cu).
Although each figure represents a different commodity, the common
logarithm of their product finds a synchronistic referent in the #45 Thumb
Ring. Water, serpentine, cubic feet, ounces and pounds merge into the
singular number for the inches in the circumference of the Ring:
5.194371173"
977.1441472 x 156.7088107 = 153,127.0972
153,127.0972-10 = 5.184995795
Actual circum: 5.194371173"

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IX. Gold, Water, Gravity and the Thumb Ring

At first glance it would appear that gold, water, g and the precession of the
equinoxes are unrelated. Looking more deeply we find that these canon
measures actually circle around one another, as siblings about a patriarch. Our
notion is that at the heart of the canon there are only a few operations from which
all else evolves. As multiple branches of measure converge into a single trunk,
units of measure become fewer and more inclusive the closer we get to the
center from which they emerge. Distinctions between primary units become
fuzzy; the number for g and the number for the time of the one-inch pendulum
nearly coincide, a propinquity which prompts us to ask if the origin of these two
attributes springs from the same source. Our challenge has been and continues
to be that of choosing the path which leads closer to the center of the labyrinth of
the canon and to the first principles governing all.
The following is one example of the merging of categories that occurs when
approaching the center of the canon. Back in Observation #45 we noticed the
proximity of the reciprocal of canon g to the number of canon grams to the troy
ounce. From this observation we discovered some interesting connections
between the numbers for g, the weight of gold troy, the weight of water
avoirdupois, and the number for the rate of the precession of the equinoxes. We
include the equations below as they are evocative in demonstrating the close
relationship between the reciprocal of canon g, 31.0995445 and many of the
correspondences derived from the one-inch pendulum from which we adopted
the number for the canon grams to the troy ounce: 31.09494026.
54. The first association begins with the square root of canon g times 12:
32.15481179 g x 12 = 385.8577415
385.8577415 = 19.6432199
The ratio of 19.6432199 (derived from g) to g x 100 is nearly the same
number as the avoirdupois pounds in one cubic foot of water:
19.6432199 = .6108965002
32.15481179 g
.6108965002 x 100 = 61.08965002 nearly the lbs/cu. ft water av
One cubic foot of H20 weighs

61.0715092 lbs avoirdupois.

(The difference between the weight of a cubic foot of water and that derived above is .018142 lbs.)

55. The number 19.6432199 is also the ratio between one cubic foot of gold troy
weight and the weight of one cubic foot of water avoirdupois as configured
below:
1200 lbs/cu. ft gold troy
= 19.6432199
61.08965002 lbs/cu. ft water av. (nearly)

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56. The formulas in #54 and #55 are variations on the interplay of canon g with
the avoirdupois weight of a cubic foot of water and the troy weight of a cubic
foot of gold. But hiding in the wings is precession: the reciprocal of
19.6432199 times 1000 is an indicator of the rate of precession number we
explored in Observation #35, 50.90 seconds of arc.
____1____
19.6432199

= .0509080417
.0509080417 x 100 = 50.9080417

57. After many twists and turns, we return to the beginning of our investigation
of the #45 Thumb Ring but equipped with commensurabilities not available
when we began. We know from previous exercises that there are 1728
cubic inches in one cubic foot, that there would be 977.1441472 Thumb
Ring volumes in a cubic foot, and that the volume of material in one Thumb
Ring is 1.768418718 cubic inches:
1728 cu" / cu'
= 1.768418718 cu" Thumb Ring volume
977.1441472 Rings / cu'
Applying the above metrics, if one cubic foot of gold weighs 1200 pounds
troy, and if there are 977.1441472 Thumb Rings in a cubic foot, then one
thumb ring would weigh 1.228068554 pounds troy if it were gold. Once the
weight of the ring is promoted to gold, the synchronicity of its weight with the
length in inches of a pendulum that beats as many seconds of time is
secured:
1200 lbs. gold / cu' = 1.228068554 lbs. troy the weight of one thumb
977.1441472 Thumb Rings
ring if it were gold.
If the #45 Thumb Ring were gold, then it would weigh 1.228068554 pounds
troy or 7,072.616373 grains.
6,910,965.658 grains Gold in 1cu = 7072.616373 grains gold in one thumb ring
977.1441472 Thumb Rings / cu
58. Holding that thought in mind, we will wrap up our exploration with the
number of grains in the volume of the #45 Thumb Ring if it were gold: 7072.
616373 grains. 7072.616373 divided by 104 is .7072616373. Having been
liberated from the tyranny of the decimal place and freed to move between
categories, we see in this figure a near match for the number of the cosine
of 45 degrees, and the place from which we began.
7072.616373 = .7072 616373
10000
.7072 616373 cosine = 44.98
.7071067811 cosine 45
= .999781048
.7072 616373 derived

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X. Participating in Canonical Art

After many years of measuring and collating ancient artifacts and monumental
architecture, we have been led to the conclusion that the creation and experience
of art is deeply rooted in the intuition of number. One mechanism that makes art
truly meaningful and enables communication across the boundaries of time and
place is an instrument we call the Canon of Measure.
In the Observations elucidated above, we invited the reader to reconstruct the
artistic message of the Thumb Ring. We found the theme of the Ring--the
number 45--readily signaled in the floral design of the seal. Probing and parsing
the measures of the ring, we applied various number operations like division,
multiplication, logs, square roots etc. to the dimensions of the form and
discovered commensurabilities with the numbers 2, 10, 12, e and pi. Further
analysis led us to a vista from which unexpected and stunning convergences of
geometry, weight, and time were revealed. Through the filter of number we
identified correspondences with the natural order which directed us toward
extrapolating the timing of the solar year, the timing of the sidereal year, the
duration of the last quarter day of the year, the relationships between the ounce,
the gram, the cubic inch, and more.
Although unconventional by normative standards of art appreciation, the
observations made were not in themselves without logic, albeit logic
apprehended intuitively. Besides being numerically interconnected, the
correspondences were validated by correlation with the physical operation of the
pendulum. The swinging pendulum is the demonstration of the intersection of
time, length, place and physics. Both in rhythm and precession the pendulum
performs without bias, regardless of the epoch or culture in which it is observed.
It is the universality of pendulum dynamics that we find at the heart of the Canon
of Measure--a finding which ought not to be surprising. Our archaeo-metric
research and published work has revealed again and again, that the principle of
the pendulum informs much of (and indeed, the best of) ancient art. Over the
years, confirmation of this observation has moved us incrementally closer to the
appreciation that the Canon of Measure is synchronistically integrated. The
closer we have come to the core of the canon, the closer we have come to
reconciling the seeming diversity of measure.
In the course of our research, we have observed that units of measure arising
from isolated cultures often resonate with the same numeric values that infuse all
natural processes. In considering the root cause of this phenomenon, we have
been led back to a single common source. While modern archaeology identifies
three sources of the origin of ancient measure--anatomical correspondences,
agricultural references, and astronomical observationswe think it is necessary to
add a fourth, and unifying origin of measure: the physiological frequencies of the
human body, especially the heart-beat and heart to breath ratio. Every living
celland every human being--reverberates with the natural cycles and biological
rhythms derived from the environment in which it evolved. Antecedent to any
cultural tradition, the neurological evolution of human perception coupled with the
development of the cognitive organization of number anticipates the inevitability
of an archetypal Canon of Measure. We propose that this trans-cultural

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physiological impulse both organizes the Canon of Measure and informs the
expression of Artin all ages and among all peoples of the Earth.
An indispensable interface between a great work of art and its aesthetic
appreciation is the active participation of the observer. Typically, when assessing
the value of a work, art historians invoke the categories of provenance, quality of
execution, and stylistic merit in judging a works significance. To these we
propose the introduction of an additional criterion of appraisal, one we call the
interactive potential of a piecethat rare capacity of a work to connect the
observer with the mind of the artist. The facility of a work to afford this possibility
lies at the heart of the genuine aesthetic experience. Canonical art, as we refer
to it, possesses a distinctive degree of interactive potential. The Canon of
Measure is the link that enables that experience.
Guided by the Canon of Measure, we have been able to recreate the conceptual
provenance of the #45 Thumb Ring and participate in a shared experience with
the artist, an experience which affirms humankinds passion to comprehend the
universe and to convey that understanding in works of art. Endowed as it is with
the Canon of Measure, the #45 Thumb Ring epitomizes such culturetranscending conveyance, establishing itself as a masterful communication
articulated from the deepest reservoirs of human intuition.
Three Appendices Follow:
XI. The semantics of troy, avoirdupois and canon measures.
XII. Detailed dimensions of the #45 Thumb Ring
XIII. The significance of 1.228068554 and 9.7714414272 as embedded
architectural features.

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XI. Appendix: The semantics of troy, avoirdupois and canon

Historically, troy weight has been used to measure precious metals like gold,
silver, platinum etc. Avoirdupois is used for common heavier commercial
commodities. The words pound, ounce and gram are used in the troy,
avoirdupois and canon systems but are defined differently in each system. A troy
pound has 12 ounces; an avoirdupois pound has 16 ounces. A canon troy ounce
has 31.0995445 grams; a canon avoirdupois ounce has 28.3572184 grams. The
one element common to all systems however is the unit of the grain. The canon
troy gram has 15.432 grains; the canon avoirdupois gram has 15.432 grains. In
either system, the grain is the same measure of weight and the level at which
comparisons between troy and avoirdupois weight can be made.
Converting Troy and Avoirdupois Weight to Canon Weight
To convert canon Troy pounds to canon ounces of gold:
There are 1200 pounds troy in one cubic foot of gold, and 12 ounces to
each pound. To convert the pounds troy in one cubic foot of gold to the
corresponding number of canon ounces, multiply:
1200 lbs/cu. ft gold troy x 12 oz/lb. troy = 14,400 troy oz. gold in 1cu
To convert canon av. pounds to canon av. ounces water:
There are 61.0715092 avoirdupois pounds in one cubic foot of water, and
16 ounces avoirdupois to each av. pound. To convert the pounds
avoirdupois to the number of canon ounces in a cubic foot, multiply:
61.0715092 lbs/cu. ft water av. x 16 oz/lb. av. = 977.1441472 canon oz. H2O in 1cu
To convert canon ounces to canon grams
For gold:
There are 14,400 canon ounces troy in one cubic foot of gold. To
find the number of canon grams in a cubic foot of gold, multiply
14,400 canon ounces x 31.0995445, the number of canon grams
in one canon ounce troy = 447,833.4408 grams troy in one cubic
foot of gold.
For water:
There are 977.1441472 canon ounces avoirdupois in one cubic foot
of water. To find the number of canon grams in one cubic foot of
water, multiply 977.1441472 canon ounces x 28.3572184, the
number of canon grams in one ounce = 27,709.09 canon grams
avoirdupois in one cubic foot of H2O.

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To convert canon grams to canon grains

For gold:
There are 447,833.4408 canon grams in one cubic foot of gold.
There are 15.432 grains to one gram. To find the number of grains
in one cubic foot of gold, multiply 447,833.4408 canon grams x
15.432 grains = 6,910,965.658 canon grains in one cubic foot of
gold.
For water:
There are 27,709.09 canon grams in one cubic foot of water. There
are 15.432 grains to one gram. To find the number of grains in one
cubic foot of water, multiply 27,709.09 canon grams x 15.432
grains = 427,606.6767 grains in one cubic foot of water.
Though water is not normally configured as grains, nonetheless we can now
compare the weight of gold to the weight of water by comparing the number of
grains in one cubic foot of gold with the number of grains in one cubic foot of
water. The ratio is 16.16196854.
6,910,965.658 grains Gold in 1 cu = 16.16196854 ratio grains gold / grains H2O
427,606.6767 grains H2O in 1cu

BERNARD I. PIETSCH & SUZANNE THOMPSON 2015 THE GEOMETRY OF TIME, WEIGHT AND MEASURE

XII. Appendix:

Dimensions of the

of

35

DIMENSIONS in mm

HEIGHT: AC, BD:

OUTER DIAMETER: AB, CD
DIAMETER HOLE: ef, gh
MAJOR DIAGONAL: AD, BC
OUTER RADIUS: Ao, Co
RADIUS HOLE: eo, go

1.366110041"
1.653212514"
1.023390462"
2.144613779"
.8266062569"
.511695231"

34.64101615 mm
41.92119204 mm
25.95053433 mm
54.38185673 mm
20.96059602 mm
12.97526716 mm

OUTER CIRCUM OF RING:

CIRCUM HOLE:

5.194371173"
3.215478876"

131.7158137 mm
81.53612498 mm

AREA END PLANE OF HOLE

.822672603 sq"
AREA END PLANE (MATERIAL) 1.324177253 sq"
AREA END PLANE RING + HOLE 2.146849856 sq"
AREA INSIDE SURFACE HOLE:

4.39269798 sq"

AREA OF SEAL + BORDERS: 7.096082618 sq"

TOTAL SURFACE
14.1371351 sq"
(2 END PLANES + EXTERIOR + HOLE )

SEAL AND BORDERS

LENGTH (CIRCUM)
HEIGHT OF SEAL: ij
AREA OF SEAL
HT. BORDER:

Ai, Cj

AREA OF ONE BORDER:

AREA OF BOTH BORDERS:
AREA OF SEAL + BORDERS:

33

#45 Thumb Ring

DIMENSIONS in INCHES

Page

528.9771513 mm2
851.4438291 mm2
1,380.42098 mm2
2,824.497687mm2
4,562.76963 mm2
9090.154975 mm2

5.194371173"
1.164561698"
6.049165711 sq"

3,889.603755 mm2
131.7158137 mm
29.53027161 mm

.1007741718"

2.555372268 mm

.5234584533 sq"
1.0469156907 sq"
7.096082618 sq"

336.5829377 mm2
673.1658754 mm2
4,562.76963 mm2

#45 Thumb ring

B E R N A R D I . P I E T S C H & S U Z A N N E T H O M P S O N 2 0 1 5 T H E G E O M E T R Y O F T I M E , W E I G HT A N D M E A S U R E P a g e

Dimensions of the

#45 Thumb Ring

34

continued

ETCHED LINES INSIDE HOLE

mn
em
en
gn
gm

.0245834832"
.3661100413"
.3906935245"
.9754165167"
1.0000000000"

SEPARATION
TOP TO M
TOP TO N
BOTTOM TO N
BOTTOM TO M

.6233735314 mm
9.283603421 mm
9.906976953 mm
24.7340392
mm
25.35741273 mm

STONE MINUS CARVING ON SEAL

VOLUME STONE RING
VOL STONE CARVED AWAY

1.768418718 cu"
.0405531241 cu"

WT STONE W/O CARVING REMOVED:

WT. OF STONE CARVED AWAY:

28,833.67146 mm3
661.2079829 mm3

74.43292636 grams
1.668620582 grams
WEIGHT OF THUMB RING MATERIAL

1 cu. in. SERPENTINE = 41.14653676 grams

1 cu. ft. SERPENTINE = 1,097,233.958 grains
1 cu. ft. SERPENTINE = 71,101.21552 grams
1 cu. ft. SERPENTINE = 2,507.340971 oz.
1 cu. ft. SERPENTINE = 156.7088107 lbs

Geometric Cylinder
VOLUME GEOMETRIC FORM
VOLUME INNER SPACE:
VOLUME FORM + SPACE:

VOLUME AS GEOMETRIC CYLINDER

1.808971842 cu"
29,494.87944 mm3
1.123861303 cu"
18,324.30604 mm3
2.932833146 cu"
47,819.18548 mm3
WEIGHT OF RING
WEIGHT IN AIR:
WEIGHT IN H20:

72.76430578 grams
44.40708738 grams

SPEC. GRAVITY (DENSITY): 2.565988834

RINGS WT. IN GRAINS:

1,122.898767 grains

RINGS IN 1 CUBIC FOOT:

977.1441472

SOME CANON EQUIVALENTS

2

3.464101615 = 12

12 = 3.464101615

INCH
MM
1 inch
= 25.35741273 canon mm
2
1 sq. inch = 642.9983804 canon mm
3
1 cubic inch = 16,304.77532 canon mm
1 canon ounce H2O = 28.3572184 canon grams
1 cubic inch H2O = 16.03535301 canon grams
1 cubic foot
H2O = 27,709.09 canon grams
1 cubic foot
H2O = 977.1441472 oz.
1 cubic foot
H2O = 61.0715092 lbs. av
canon
3.141986363

of

35

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35

of

35

XIII. Appendix: Note regarding the significance of 1.228068554 as an

embedded architectural feature.

Fig.14 Obelisk A in Luxor

In Egypt a pair of obelisks once stood near the

entrance to the great temple of Luxor. Though
one obelisk was considerably taller than the
other, the second obelisk was no less
important than its partner. In fact, the height of
the second obelisk was the key to the meaning
of the first. Without the smaller, the
significance of the larger obelisk was
incomplete.

When the smaller obelisk was gifted to the

French in 1833 no one had a clue that the two
worked in tandem. Obelisk B, now stationed at the Place de la Concorde in
Paris, France, was designed specifically for its original location in Luxor. Both
obelisks were unified by a single factor: the action of the pendulum. When
the height of each is taken as the length of a pendulum, their mystery is
revealed.
The communication is initiated from the taller Obelisk (A,) whose height at
81.42867893 feet, is mirrored in the reciprocal of the number 1.228068554:
1
X 100 = 81.42867893 ft The height of Obelisk A
1.228068554
81.42867893 x 12 = 977.1441472 inches height Obelisk A
The smaller of the two obelisks, Obelisk B, is
77.74897266 feet in height. If the height of Obelisk B
were the length of a pendulum, that pendulum would
have a frequency of 9.771441472 seconds of time--The
same number (times 100) as the number of inches in
the height of Obelisk A, 977.1441472 inches.
The deep association in Egyptian mythology between
the concept of perfection and the number 10 emerges
through architecture in the form of the two obelisks,
albeit indirectly. Each attains to the purity of the number
10 through its individual but analogous expression of
977.1441472. Synchronistically, 977.1441472 is the
number of inches in the height of a 10 second
pendulum. Would we be surprised to find that the
height of the great Queen Hatshepsuts obelisk in
Karnack is 97.71441472 feet?

Fig.15 Obelisk B now at

Place de Concorde, Paris.

Removing the obelisk from its geographic context and repositioning it at

different latitude effectively disabled the sculptures architectural function.
The importance of assessing the properties of the pendulum in ancient works
has yet to be discovered by archaeology. We predict that the number
1.228068554 will be a pivotal contribution to that recognition.