Nu (Ν ν) is the thirteenth letter of the Greek alphabet, carrying a numeric value of 50. Its name derives from the Phoenician letter nun, meaning 'fish,' and it symbolizes water, fluidity, and the primordial abyss—a concept deeply embedded in both Greek and esoteric traditions.

Position on the Tree of Life

On the Qabalistic Tree of Life, Nu corresponds to Path 24, the twenty-fourth path that connects Netzach (Victory) and Hod (Splendor). This path is attributed to the element of Water and the astrological sign of Scorpio, reflecting themes of depth, transformation, and hidden currents.

Astrological and planetary correspondence

Astrologically, Nu is linked to Scorpio, a fixed water sign ruled by Mars (and traditionally Pluto). This correspondence emphasizes the letter’s association with intensity, mystery, and the alchemical processes of death and rebirth—qualities mirrored in the watery, transformative nature of the path.

Historical context

Nu’s history traces back to the Phoenician alphabet, where the letter nun represented a fish or serpent, symbols of life and chaos in ancient Near Eastern cultures. In Greek, Nu was adopted as a consonant, but its esoteric significance grew in Hellenistic and Hermetic traditions. The Greek letter Nu appears in the works of early alchemists and Neoplatonists, often linked to the concept of nous (mind) or the primordial waters of creation. In the Corpus Hermeticum, the letter’s shape (Ν) is sometimes seen as a glyph for the serpent of wisdom or the flow of the Nile. Later, in the Qabalistic system of Liber 777, Nu’s assignment to Path 24 and the element of Water reinforces its role as a symbol of the unconscious, the abyss, and the transformative power of the deep—echoing the Egyptian goddess Nu (or Nuit), the sky goddess who personifies the primordial waters.

In the table of Liber 777, Nu (Ν ν) appears as the Greek letter for Path 24, embodying the fluid, hidden currents of the unconscious and the alchemical process of dissolution and rebirth. Its placement here underscores the letter’s role as a key to understanding the watery, transformative mysteries of the Tree of Life.