A Modern Look at The Pythagorean Theory of Music: Meaning, Symbolism, and More

Last Updated on April 21, 2025 by Avia

As a classically trained French hornist, music has always been more than sound to me – it’s been the scaffolding upon which I’ve built my life. From the disciplined breathwork to the intricate harmonies, every note has taught me something about order, emotion, and the unseen structures that shape our world. So when I first encountered Manly P. Hall’s insights on the Pythagorean theory of music in The Secret Teachings of All Ages, they struck a profound chord – pun entirely intended. Hall’s exploration of music as a cosmic principle – not just a human art – resonated with me deeply. But let’s be honest: his writings, as brilliant as they are, can be dense and esoteric. That’s why I felt compelled to break down these powerful (and often complex) ideas into something more accessible and meaningful – so you, dear reader, can experience the same awe and insight that I did when first encountering this ancient wisdom.

What Is Harmony, Really?

Harmony isn’t just about pleasing sounds or matching colors – it’s the secret sauce behind all beauty, according to ancient philosophers. Harmony means all the parts of something are working together smoothly, like the instruments in a symphony or the gears in a well-made watch.

The Pythagorean theory of music and other philosophical heavyweights argue that beauty is simply harmony made visible. Since the universe is built on layers of increasing “goodness,” from physical matter to spiritual essence, beauty is a reflection of that cosmic order.

Think of it this way:
If the universe were a song, beauty would be the melody that results when every note hits just right. Discord – ugliness, evil, or suffering – is just a lack of that harmony, like a piano out of tune.

Music as a Gateway to the Divine

Music wasn’t just entertainment for ancient thinkers. The Egyptians, and later the Greeks, believed music had divine origins. The god Hermes was said to have invented the lyre (a stringed instrument) by stringing cords across a turtle shell. That lyre eventually became a symbol for the human body – strings as nerves, the instrument’s body as the human form, and the musician as the spirit animating it all.

Takeaway:
Music is more than sound. It’s a metaphor for life. When your “strings” (nerves, emotions, thoughts) are in tune, your life plays out like a harmonious song. When they’re off, you feel anxious, sick, or disconnected.

Pythagorean Theory of Music and the Science of Sound

Pythagoras didn’t just hear music – he measured it. He’s credited with discovering the mathematical relationships that create musical harmony. Legend has it that while walking past a blacksmith’s shop, he noticed how different hammer sizes created different sounds. From that observation, he began experimenting with strings and weights.

He found that:

• Doubling the tension of a string (2:1 ratio) creates an octave
  
• A 3:2 ratio gives you a perfect fifth
  
• A 4:3 ratio creates a perfect fourth
  

Translation:
Harmony in music follows math. These ratios laid the groundwork for Western music and connected sound to universal laws.

The Tetractys: A Sacred Pyramid of Numbers

Pythagoras used a symbol called the tetractys, a triangle made of ten dots arranged in four rows (1 + 2 + 3 + 4 = 10). These numbers weren’t random. They represented the fundamental building blocks of harmony: the octave (2:1), fifth (3:2), and fourth (4:3).

Why it matters today:
Even digital music software still uses these same mathematical principles. Every beat you vibe to in your headphones is part of a system Pythagoras helped define.

Music of the Spheres: Cosmic Symphonies

Here’s where it gets wild.

The Pythagorean theory of music posits that planets make music as they move. Though we can’t hear it with our ears, this “music of the spheres” is part of the grand design of the cosmos. Each planet hums a different pitch based on its size, speed, and distance from Earth.

This harmony, inaudible to our senses, was believed to influence everything – from your emotions to your fate.

Example:
The Moon, being closest to Earth, was thought to make the highest sound; Saturn, the farthest planet known at the time, the lowest. These planetary tones were seen as part of a cosmic chord that shaped reality itself.

Healing Through Sound: Musical Medicine

Pythagoras wasn’t just a theorist – he was a practitioner of “musical medicine.” He believed that certain songs could heal emotional and physical disturbances. He even used music:

• To calm angry people
  
• To ease people into sleep or wakefulness
  
• To treat illnesses like sciatica or depression
  

Modern parallel:
Think of how music affects you – how a slow song calms you, or a fast one energizes you. Pythagoras formalized this instinct with theory and practice, using specific “modes” (like keys in modern music) to influence moods and behaviors.

Architecture as Frozen Music

In ancient Greece, buildings weren’t just structures – they were seen as music solidified into form. Just as a chord is pleasing when notes fit together, a temple was beautiful when its dimensions followed harmonic proportions.

Modern echo:
Goethe once said, “Architecture is frozen music.” That idea started here, with Pythagorean thought – proof that design, whether auditory or structural, follows universal rules.

The Seven Musical Modes and Their Planetary Connections

Here’s a modern breakdown, with bullet points explaining each mode’s emotional effect and its associated planet according to Pythagorean-inspired thought:

1. Dorian Mode – Saturn

• Emotion: Grounding, solemn, strong, stable
  
• Effect: Encourages discipline, seriousness, maturity
  
• Planetary Connection: Saturn governs structure, karma, and responsibility. The Dorian mode reflects these qualities with a noble, sober tone.
  

2. Phrygian Mode – Jupiter

• Emotion: Bold, fiery, passionate
  
• Effect: Inspires action, courage, idealism
  
• Planetary Connection: Jupiter is expansive and philosophical. The Phrygian mode energizes and amplifies, making it perfect for stirring speeches or revolutions.
  

3. Lydian Mode – Mars

• Emotion: Assertive, bright, restless
  
• Effect: Stimulates motivation and movement
  
• Planetary Connection: Mars is the planet of action and drive. Lydian’s raised fourth note gives it a sense of urgency and momentum.
  

4. Mixolydian Mode – Sun

• Emotion: Majestic, radiant, warm
  
• Effect: Uplifts the spirit, encourages generosity and self-expression
  
• Planetary Connection: The Sun represents the self, vitality, and joy. Mixolydian mode glows with the brightness of solar energy.
  

5. Aeolian Mode – Venus

• Emotion: Melancholic, romantic, emotional
  
• Effect: Deepens emotional reflection and sensitivity
  
• Planetary Connection: Venus governs love, beauty, and aesthetics. Aeolian (the natural minor scale) mirrors the bittersweetness of longing and beauty.
  

6. Ionian Mode – Mercury

• Emotion: Joyful, optimistic, clear
  
• Effect: Stimulates mental clarity, communication, learning
  
• Planetary Connection: Mercury rules the mind, speech, and wit. The Ionian mode (modern major scale) is expressive, articulate, and engaging.
  

7. Locrian Mode – Moon

• Emotion: Mysterious, dark, unstable
  
• Effect: Encourages introspection, intuition, and transformation
  
• Planetary Connection: The Moon governs emotions and the subconscious. The haunting tension of Locrian mode echoes the Moon’s pull on hidden tides of the psyche.

Vibration, Resonance, and the Keynote of All Things

Everything in nature has a vibration – a “note.” If you hit the right frequency, you can influence or even destroy that thing. This is a core principle of the Pythagorean theory of music.

Legendary example:
The walls of Jericho fell after the Israelites blew their trumpets. That’s not just a Biblical miracle – it’s symbolic of resonance. Hit the right note, and you can break down anything.

Today’s application:
Modern science uses this in everything from sound healing to ultrasonic cleaning. We’re only beginning to rediscover what Pythagoras already knew.

Why You Can’t Hear the Music of the Spheres (Yet)

Pythagoras taught that humans don’t hear cosmic music because our senses are dulled by the physical world. But if you raise your consciousness (through meditation, discipline, or spiritual practice), you can begin to sense it again.

Think of it like this:
Your soul has ears, but they’re asleep. Wake them up, and you join the celestial choir that’s always been singing.

Final Thoughts: Tuning Your Life to the Universe

At the heart of the Pythagorean theory of music is this idea: the universe is music, and we are instruments. When we understand the harmonies that govern everything – from music to mood, architecture to astronomy – we align ourselves with a deeper, more meaningful order.

Try this:

• Listen to music intentionally – notice how it changes your mood
  
• Meditate on a single note or tone
  
• Observe how harmony (or lack of it) shows up in your life, from relationships to routines
  
• Think of your emotions as notes in a melody – what song are you playing?
  

I hope my interpretation and simplification of the Pythagorean theory of music help you gain a deeper (and alternative) view of music and its influence on our energy. Truly, these are fascinating concepts that are worthy of our attention. Why? Because in the understanding, we can populate our inner worlds with music, and cultivate more harmonic states of being – at least, that was my hope in writing this. As always, thanks for reading!

Mighty brightly,

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