View source for Magic Square

A square matrix, usually divided into cells filled with numbers or letters in a significant arrangement. These squares were originally used for religious purposes, but in later times were employed as magic talismans or charms.
The so-called “Sator” square is frequently met with in the West and it is of undoubted antiquity dating to at least 100 CE. The meaningless phrase conceals a cross:

	S   A   T   O   R
	A   R   E   P   O
	T   E   N   E   T
	O   P   E   R   A
	R   O   T   A   S 
In arithmetical squares the numbers are usually placed into cells and chosen so that every row, column and diagonal when added produce the same sum

4     9     2
3     5     7
8     1     6

Of late the mathematical structures possible in magic squares have interested many mathematicians as a statistical device which has been used in agronomy, medicine, psychology and other disciplines.

© Copyright by the Theosophical Publishing House, Manila