what's the significance of 21?
Seven had its own biblical significance, and later, ground-based batteries fired three (again, biblically significant number) rounds per.
I have no idea unless it goes along with the 21-gun salute. The AF News Service email didn't tell why.
this was posted further up
The tradition of rendering a salute by cannon originated in the 14th century as firearms and cannons came into use. Since these early devices contained only one projectile, discharging them once rendered them ineffective. Originally warships fired seven-gun salutes--the number seven probably selected because of its astrological and Biblical significance. Seven planets had been identified and the phases of the moon changed every seven days. The Bible states that God rested on the seventh day after Creation, that every seventh year was sabbatical and that the seven times seventh year ushered in the Jubilee year.
Land batteries, having a greater supply of gunpowder, were able to fire three guns for every shot fired afloat, hence the salute by shore batteries was 21 guns. The multiple of three probably was chosen because of the mystical significance of the number three in many ancient civilizations. Early gunpowder, composed mainly of sodium nitrate, spoiled easily at sea, but could be kept cooler and drier in land magazines. When potassium nitrate improved the quality of gunpowder, ships at sea adopted the salute of 21 guns.
The 21-gun salute became the highest honor a nation rendered.
770 posted on 06/09/2004 6:15:44 PM EDT by Terriergal (Ps27:5 "For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in His dwelling;")
Winning number in Blackjack?
Touching the face of G_D....
My hunch is that it's related to the number of salutes -- such as a 21-gun salute. If I remember correctly, 21 guns is reserved for Heads of State. 21 represents the highest level of salute.
1+7+7+6=21 What I understood from my brother who was in the Honor Guard was it was for the year of our Independence 1776