Peacock Pavilions: and magic room numbers

Ah magic….don’t you think there should be more of it in our lives?

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There is a history of interest in numerology and magic in the Arab world.  The number 5 has always had special significance and powers because it is linked to the hand of  Fatima and the 5 fingers.  The numbers 3, 7, 9 and their multiples are also believed to have magical properties.  (The magic square – a set of numbers placed so that the sum is the same, no matter if numbers are added horizontally, vertically or diagonally – is sometimes used to heal the sick or protect wearers from the evil eye.  I often see silver rings with magic squares in the Marrakech souks.)

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So I was thinking….that there should be magic room numbers at Peacock Pavilions.  In addition to our own pavilion, there will be 2 guest pavilions with a total of 5 guestrooms.  I thought it might be charming (and magical!) to dispense with room numbers 1, 2 and 4 altogether…….and only have rooms 3, 5, 7, 9, and 35.  Or rooms 5, 7, 15, 21, and 27… It seems to me that on a magical holiday, magical room numbers are only appropriate. 

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Hmm…What do you think? 

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(oh, eeek, I better cut this out before you become convinced that I am going to greet you at the gate of Peacock Pavilions wearing a star covered cape, a tall pointy hat, and waving a sequin-covered wand…)

Comments

[Jennifer Jeffrey]

Oh, I love this topic!

I always try to book rooms with the numbers "9" and "3" or numbers that add up to "9." This seems like a fabulous thing to do, especially in mystical, magical Morocco, where nothing is quite as it seems.

(oh, and I for one adore the idea of you in a star-covered cape with a sparkly wand!)

[Di Overton]

I would give them names - so much more romantic especially in such a beautiful setting

[jhill]

oh i think it is fantastic!

[Aimee]

Now that you have said it, I really want a magic number ring to wear on my hand.

I love the idea of magic number rooms, but Di Overton's idea of room names is even more lovely. You could incorporate the magic into the name somehow and combine the ideas to make something truly unique.

[Lindsey]

how wonderful!

i linger over each and every one of your posts - they are all so lovely.

i will be in marrakesh late july-july, and am praying that peacock pavillions will be open by then :)

[Irene]

Makes sense to me! Don't forget to use *8* somewhere, either as a number or a form as, accordig to Feng Shui, we are now and for the next 20 years in the period of 8.

[Michelle]

As the former Fairy Godmother of Atlanta, I would never shy away from anyone in a cape with a wand. I do like the idea of room names, though. But the numbers would be fun...

[Kathy here again]

I vote for names. Of course knee deep in tax season, numbers don't seem so mystical to me. It would be fun to have you in a tall pointy hat and a cape with a wand - running your own "Oz" at Peacock Pavilions.

[Tay]

I personally have strong connections to some numbers (3 and 11) and do think they are powerful, even possibly magical. Yet naming the rooms holds such romantic potential, I have to vote for that. I stayed at a little hotel in Greece on the island of Lesvos that named all the rooms after flowers...I think what ever system you decide, the experience at PP will be magical.

You may not be a wizard, but I am certain you are an enchantress!

[Aimee M.]

I'm so excited for you. It will be so magical no matter what you decide. I miss Marrakech every time I read your blog.

[katiedid]

Oh! I like the name idea. And I am sure that you would come up with the most wonderfully magical names too. You must be having so much fun with this!

[halimah]

Great idea - and I don't think that you would deter your loyal following if you dressed out of Harry Potter...lol.

[karen cole]

I find names to be so much more interesting.
Could be peacock related...

plumage
pheasant
peahen
peachick
peacock
eye feather
sword feather
wing feather

etc.

Sounds like things are coming along quite nicely.

[Marianna]

My parents always called the only guest room in their 3 bedroom house "Room 17," (no numerological significance, just sort of an "off the top of their head" number), but I guess that's enough of a precident, isn't it, for you to give the rooms at Peacock Pavillions any old number you like...

[Canan]

I always like 3,7 and 12 but I don't know whay I like them .I have a book name -The Mystery of Numbers -written by Annemarie Schimmel .İn this book number 5 was connected the life and the love. and it s also connected with marriage. since ancient times 5 is seems a little unusul and strange also a little rebellious.and 5 is not to be seen in crystal - only 2,3,4 and 6 to be seen in crystals-.but whatever I like the idea of names or both names and numbers:))it will be interesting.

[Lucia]

Dear Maryam, may I ask : why do you need numbers/names, at all ? For logistic reasons (e.g. bookkeeping, cleaning schedule) ? Who will be your guests ? Surely, not all of them will be familiar with the tradition of numerology. The old "cui bono". Maybe the numbers/names is something for your "inspiration log". Your's is such
an exceptional and unique project. I imagine myself there and would I want to come to you and say "Hi Maryam, I am in Nr. x/room name, the baby had a bowel mishap, may I have another towel?"

[Cara]

oooh, I'm not sure about the numbers but I love the sound of the cape, hat and wand! What a greeting that would be!

Actually I love the sound of numbering the rooms a little magically. 1,2,3,4 is oh so boring.

[RD]

Why not incorporate both number and words into names for your rooms? Like Five Twinkling Stars; Seven Blissful Bowers; Nine Enchanted Dreams (and One Partridge/Peacock in a Pear Tree... :-) ) I just can't wait to see how this all comes together!

[Paris Parfait]

I believe there is something to numerology. Five has always been my lucky number and 3, 7 and 9 are also good. Whatever you do, don't use the number 4, as the Chinese and Japanese consider it not only unlucky, but some believe it means "death." With lucky numbers and the good fung shui, I expect your Peacock Pavilions will be bursting with good fortune!

[maia]

Brilliant! I love the magical, mystical feel. Plus, like a missing floor in a hotel, it always leaves room for the imagination to roam!

[lisa]

I prefer the numbers as the connotations are limitless. Names seem a bit too obvious, contrived, too cute for a place that will hopefully be around long after all of us are gone from this particular celestial plane...

[Elizabeth]

I rather like the idea of the magic numbers - however maybe names would be be more charming since there aren't that many.
Yes, dump 2 4 6 8 anyway too Holiday Inn
so glad things are moving forward
love to all
and happy b'day to the kitties

[Hayden]

the meaning of numbers is carried in each culture - in Japan everything comes in a set of 5 because 6 is unlucky - by my Chinese girlfriend was alarmed when I picked out 5 flowers and added a 6th "for good luck."

I think using Morrocco's meaning for numbers would be great fun - but you must be prepared to provide info to those guests who ask! Or perhaps just a map so they can hunt it down themselves.

Names or non-sequential numbers are both lovely.

Now. May I order one of those rings from your store soon, please?

[maia]

Thanks for the blog comments - I used to be an adventure sports writer, but these I'm only part-time since illustration has taken over the bulk of my career. I still write for some highcountry magazines here in CO like the
Aspen Philanthropist and Mountain House and Home.
I love your blog (and your photography - lyrical!) - I have a great aunt who lived for most of her life in Morocco, although she's now back in the south of France.

[Angela]

I think it is a FANTASTIC idea! You could have them made in beautiful swirly italic like script, and make the numbers very fancy and magical looking maybe even sparkly with beads etc... (but I am very girly and into beads lately, so don't mind me!) So creative, you are! I LOVE the idea and I LOVE your blog!