Possible Meanings of the Number 12:

Mathematics:

• Abundant number: The sum of its proper divisors (1, 2, 3, 4, 6) is greater than the number itself (12).
• Triangular number: It can be represented as the sum of consecutive positive integers (1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 = 12).
• Composite number: It has more than two factors (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12).

Time and Measurement:

• Number of months in a year: January to December.
• Number of hours on an analog clock: 1 to 12.
• Units of time in a day: 12 hours AM and 12 hours PM.

Religion and Mythology:

• Twelve tribes of Israel: According to the Bible, the Israelites were divided into 12 tribes.
• Twelve apostles of Jesus Christ: According to the New Testament, Jesus had 12 disciples who traveled with him.
• Twelve zodiac signs: In astrology, the zodiac is divided into 12 signs, corresponding to different months of the year.

Culture and Symbolism:

• The number of zodiac signs: Associated with the concept of balance and harmony.
• The number of jurors in a jury: Traditionally, juries in the United States have consisted of 12 members.
• The number of stars on the European Union flag: Representing the unity of its member states.

Science and Technology:

• Atomic number of magnesium: An essential mineral for the human body.
• Number of elements in the second period of the periodic table: Helium to Neon.
• The number of base pairs in a DNA double helix: Two strands of DNA are connected by 12 base pairs.

Other:

• The jersey number of famed soccer player Pelé: He was known as the "King of Football" and wore the number 12 for Brazil.
• The number of chairs in the Knights of the Round Table: According to the Arthurian legend.
• The number of years in the Chinese zodiac cycle: Each year is represented by one of 12 animals.