Meaning of Number 7

[frindle2]

Hello. I don't quite understand the underlined part in the context below. Would you please tell me what Latin classes are related to number 7?

(Magnus Maximillian is kinda wicked magician. Pearl is going to have a game against him to get her father back from him.
He wants her to play seven rounds.)

"Why seven?" asked Pearl.
"Because there are seven colors (in the rainbow). Because there are seven Coles. Because it's odd, and looks sinister."
"No, it doesn't," said Pearl. " I don't think sevens are scary at all."
"Have you not been concentrating on your Latin classes, Miss Cole?" Magnus Maximillian traced a seven in the air. "I only meant that it faces left."

Source: The Grandest Bookshop in the World by Amelia Mellor

 

[Flamenco1]

Hello. I don't quite understand the underlined part in the context below. Would you please tell me what Latin classes are related to number 7?

I would assume that this is an invention of the author (presented to Pearl in her Latin lessons). There is certainly not enough information given to say if this is a reference to forklore, myth, or whatever, outside of the book. But this genre often mixes reality with invention.

If it has great significance I'm sure the author will explain as the story unfolds.

I like the idea of a seven drawn in the air facing left. To the viewer it may well face right. But I've never heard reference to this.

 

[5jj]

"Have you not been concentrating on your Latin classes, Miss Cole?" Magnus Maximillian traced a seven in the air. "I only meant that it faces left."

The Latin for left is sinister.

 

[Skrej]

Pearl, having not studied Latin, mistakes Magnus's comment to mean that the number seven looks evil, when he really just means it faces left.

The left side was historically considered evil or weak, while the right side was considered good, and strong. Partially through a combination of Biblical references (right hand of God, etc.) and the fact that the majority of people are right-handed, the left side became associated with wrongness. Hence the Latin word for 'left' came to take on its English meaning of 'evil'. We still see a bit of this today in some contemporary religions, but even in the secular world there's some bias towards left-handed people in regards to things like product design.

Also in numerology, there are many characteristics of numbers used to determine their significance - left/right facing being one, odd/even being another, and other characteristics I'm unaware of. I'm blissfully ignorant on the subject and quite happy to remain so, but I gather being left-facing and odd-numbered has portentous significance to a "wicked magician".

On an interesting side note - it's estimated that only about 10-12% of the world's population is left-handed.

 

[Tdol]

But a seven on paper faces right- it's a weak argument.

 

[emsr2d2]

But a seven on paper faces right- it's a weak argument.

... and if someone traces a letter or number in the air, it's going to look like it's facing one way to the person doing it and the other way to the people facing them (with the exception of letters and numbers that look the same both ways, of course).