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In Numerology, What IS the Expression or Destiny Number?

Woman Smiling with Fairy LightsThe Expression or Destiny Number is the second of the core numbers in your personal numerology chart. Calculating it, and uncovering its meaning will reveal a great deal of information about your natural talents, abilities, and potentials in this lifetime.

Whilst your Life Path Number (which comes from your birth date) describes the direction of your journey through life, the Expression Number centers on what you, uniquely, have to offer to the world.

Within the art of Numerology, this is the number that contains information about your inherent gifts, talents, and skills. But also about your personal shortcomings and the potential challenges you may face. Because of this, it offers valuable insights into the areas of your personality that, with work and development, could become your greatest strengths. As such, the Destiny Number is often said to be the blueprint of your potential.

Once decoded, this number forms a highly potent portrait of your inherited personal history, up to the moment of your birth. After this point, it is your choice how your story continues. After all, we each choose our own destiny! But you will carry this powerful coding with you, for the rest of your life.

How to Calculate your Expression / Destiny Number

In Numerology, the Expression Number is calculated using the corresponding numbers for each letter in your full name at birth, according to the Pythagorean system. These are then summed and reduced until a single digit (or master number) is revealed. Remember that this number cannot come from your nickname or your married name, but must be the name that is found written in full on your birth certificate, (that’s first name, middle name/s, and surname/s) and if your name is misspelled on your birth certificate, use that to configure your Destiny number.

    1.  Take the values assigned to each letter of your entire name and add them all together.
    2. Add those numbers together, and reduce this to a single digit (or master number) Easy!

The way that we do this in numerology, is by using the alphabet conversion chart below:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

The Master Number Exception: 11 and 22 are Master Numbers, and they have unique meanings that require stand alone readings. If you reach totals of 11 or 22, you do not need to continue reducing until you reach only one digit. So stop your calculation there.

Expression Number Calculator

If the math is a little too much for you, here’s the easy way to find out your  Destiny, or Expression Number:  Follow this link, and you’ll find our free Numerology Calculator.  Just enter your info and we’ll do the decoding for you!

A Real-Life Example: Calculating Meghan Markle’s Expression Number

Let’s go through this calculation again, step by step, using the fiancé of Prince Harry, Meghan Markle, as an example.

Her full birth name is Rachel Meghan Markle.


Rachel Meghan Markle is: 9 + 1 + 3 + 8 + 5 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 7 + 8 +1 + 5 + 4 + 1 + 9 +2 + 3 + 5 = 83

Then add those 2 numbers together, and reduce this to a single digit (or master number)

For Meghan this is: 8 + 3 = 11

So her Expression Number is 11 (we do not need to reduce this further, as 11 is a master number).

What Does Meghan’s Expression Number Say About Her?

Given that the Expression number reveals a person’s natural talents and true potential, it’s fascinating that soon after becoming engaged to Prince Harry back at the end of 2017, Meghan announced her intention to retire from acting and pursue humanitarian work.

The Number 11 carries the undertone of 2, whose strength is being able to understand and connect with others. These are essential qualities for an actor, to be convincing (which Meghan certainly is) and combined with the inspired creativity of the 11, she has had an incredible career to date.

But in 2003, Meghan received a combined degree in Theatre and International Studies which indicates that she knew even then, that she was destined for another path.

Expression 11s are often full of visionary ideas and information; and possess the rare gift of also being able to use and apply these ideas to improve the lives of many, many people.  Her desire to work in more altruistic roles clearly demonstrates how her aptitude in this area are now coming to the fore.

Expression 11s also have a deep moral code which seeks to create fairness and equality for all.  When Meghan was just 11 years old (there’s that number again!) she successfully campaigned to get a TV company to change a national television commercial that she deemed was sexist.  Her strong character and persuasive passion have clearly been with her from the beginning!

The highly creative genius possessed by those with a Destiny Number 11 means that whatever they turn their hand to, will flourish.  Many of these spiritually aware people channel their energies into the greater good, so Meghan’s ongoing passion for humanitarian issues means that she’s sure to achieve great things in her new and influential royal position.

Expression 11s also have the power to greatly inspire others, and we can only imagine the extraordinary charisma required to charm a Prince!

The highly individual nature of Expression 11s can sometimes make relationships a challenge, but coupled with the intuitive gifts also possessed by this number, it’s likely that Meghan will instinctively know how to keep the balance in their marriage, enabling both her and Harry to thrive. We certainly hope so!

Expression / Destiny Number Readings

Once you’ve calculated your Destiny Number (or your loved one’s) using the method described above, read on to discover the corresponding readings…

Destiny / Expression Number 1

Numerology Number 1You express yourself best through your independence. Your talents are your originality, confidence, and ability to launch plans into motion.

Willing to try new things, you are bold and courageous and at times express a competitive

streak. You have the potential to become incredibly successful and equally prosperous if you can learn to effectively apply these initiating, self-starting skills as you travel through life.

Professionally and socially, you are often the person that “makes things happen” and express a real desire to reach your goals, whatever the cost.

You would make a great entrepreneur and do best by striking out on your own and taking the lead in whatever you find yourself doing.

Your highest potential is to become the leader of something great.

Destiny / Expression Number 2

Numerology Number 2You express yourself best through relating to others.  Your gift is your sharp instincts for what is right, plus your diplomacy and great skills of negotiation.

Always willing to work alongside others, you possess a firm understanding of fairness and balance. Destiny Number 2s often have the strong desire to seek justice and create equality in the world. If you can learn to trust yourself and apply your own unique skills as you walk your path, you’ll reach great heights!

Socially you are incredibly likable, and make so many friends that this gives you a huge sphere of influence. But as your modesty means that one of your challenges is to accept credit for your work.

You work best in a team, so success for you often comes down to “who you know.” You will also do well in supportive roles, especially when you unite your efforts with someone who is more powerful than you.

Destiny  / Expression Number 3

Numerology Number 3You express yourself best through the arts. Your gifts may be writing, speaking, singing, acting, teaching or litigating; selling, designing or even composing music.

Although you may not realize it, one of your true gifts is your natural ability to uplift and inspire others with your words and ideas. If you can find the ideal channel for your unique voice, it is likely that your true purpose will emerge creatively, and happiness and fulfillment will be found.

Professionally, fame often lies in the potential future of the Destiny Number 3, so it is imperative that your surroundings are stable and nurturing, so that your talents are allowed to flourish.

Destiny  / Expression Number 4

Numerology Number 4You express yourself best by grounding energy. Your skills include project management, administration and anything to do with organization, as you are highly systematic by nature and thrive in orderly, regulated atmospheres.

You are also hugely practical, work well with your hands and have an innate understanding of structure, design, and rhythm. You have the potential to invent or create plans and systems that will ease the burdens of humanity.

Professionally, the Number 4 is trustworthy and precise, so make excellent surgeons, architects, engineers, or musicians.

You’ll find success and fulfillment when your efforts are channeled into projects which will benefit the greater good.

Destiny  / Expression Number 5

Numerology Number 5You express yourself best through the movement of energy. You are blessed with numerous skills and abilities and have the potential to sustain more than one career at a time.

Willing to try anything new and unfamiliar, you risk the danger of becoming a jack of all trades and a master of none. But your multi-faceted resume allows you to indulge your adventurous spirit, stay free and resist being bound to one thing.

You are a philosophical individual who is endlessly fascinated by human nature, and strive to experience it all!

You will reach your highest potential when you find ways to effectively impart your own kind of wisdom to those who need to hear it.  You may make a great teacher in the traditional sense, or break free from convention and find your ideal role doing something more unusual…!

Destiny  / Expression Number 6

Numerology Number 6You express yourself best through serving others. Your talents are your ability to witness and hold space for others, and take care of and uplift the spirits of your kin.

Instinctively aware of what is required by those in need, you provide a safe haven for many people.  It’s likely that you measure your own success through how much you’re able to improve the lives of others, and as such, many Expression 6s excel as doctors, nurses, psychologists and in any occupations that involve taking care of the elderly, the sick or the poor.

Your highest potential is restoring balance to ailing individuals or communities, and inspiring love by offering it unconditionally.

Destiny  / Expression Number 7

Numerology Number 7You express yourself best by trusting where your path leads. Your talents are combining the intelligence of your heart and mind, and following your own intuition to find deeper meanings in life.

Endlessly seeking knowledge, you may have a passion for mysticism, the occult sciences, religion or social anthropology. The highest potential of your Expression Number is the invention of new concepts, thoughts or theories and finding the means to express these into the world.

Socially, it’s likely that you have reclusive tendencies as your skills, talents, and interests run deeper than simple small talk.

In your professional life, if you can learn how to navigate modern institutions and companies, you have the potential to reach extreme levels of success in research, higher learning, and academia.

Destiny  / Expression Number 8

Numerology Number 8You express yourself best by creating prosperity. You have a natural knack for making money that is unrivaled by other Expression Numbers.

Many Expression 8s are born into wealthy families which gives them a ready-made set of privileges, that put them in good stead for high achievement in life.  Whether or not this is true for you, you still have considerable potential to succeed in business and reach a position of high influence.

Expression 8s make excellent bankers, stockbrokers, and accountants: business and commerce are key areas, but your highest potential in life is not simply to get rich.  It is to learn how to acquire wealth without others losing out, and then to distribute this wealth fairly.

Destiny  / Expression Number 9

Numerology Number 9You express yourself best by calling others to action to build a better world. Your talents are your innate understanding of human nature, your idealist vision, and your unfailing optimism.

Concerned with humanitarian and social causes, you are philanthropic and wish only for a better world.  You are kind, considerate and encouraging and like all Expression 9s would make an excellent teacher, counselor, or religious or spiritual guide.

It’s unlikely that you are very career driven, as your gifts cannot be pigeonholed –  you help and support people in whatever ways are necessary, and as such your life experiences are many and varied.

Your highest potential in life is to achieve an enlightened perspective and inspire others by embodying your gifts, as well as advising them on their highest and best paths forward.

Destiny  / Expression Number 11

Numerology Master Number 11You express yourself best through your spirituality. You are a channel for a lot of high frequency, spiritual information, and you likely have untapped psychic gifts.  In the right environment, you will transform the world with your innate power and knowing.

Although you may not realize it, one of your true gifts is your natural ability to inspire others to express their inner truth. It may be a challenge to you, but expressing yourself and your vulnerabilities will be the catalyst to releasing this innate gift in you and creating a positive, transformative effect on other people’s lives.

You may be a lightworker, and be drawn to the path of mysticism, astrology, tarot or Reiki.  Many Expression 11s also become powerful healers.

Your highest potential is to lead others towards reaching an enlightened perspective.

Destiny  / Expression Number 22

Numerology Master Number 22You express yourself best through building the world of the future.  Your genius is holding a vision and re-shaping your reality to make it materialize!

The number 22 is called “the Master Builder” because people with this number in their charts are capable of manifesting great changes on the earthly plane. They usually do this through the construction of an empire, whether it’s social, financial or religious in nature.

You may not realize the power you that you hold, so it’s vital that you find ways to practice and flex your manifesting muscles!  Your visions are bold, intuitive and inherently beneficial for humankind.

Your highest potential is to bring the ideals you hold in your heart into everyday reality, through systematic and practical means, often through effective delegation and the strong management of teams of other people, so that your energy can be preserved, and channeled into creative thought.

The Destiny Number is an incredible and vital part of your personal numerology chart.

Have these free readings offered you insight and illumination? What have you discovered about yourself today? Share with us below!


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