How can you use your hand to count to 12?

Try it right now. Take your right thumb and touch the tip of your pinky finger. That is 1. Move down to the middle joint (2), then the bottom joint (3). Move to your ring finger and do the same (4, 5, 6). Keep going.

Action

The next time you need to keep track of a count up to 12 while working with your hands, use your knuckles instead of looking for paper.

Read the full exploration

What else is in this exploration

3 evidence blocks3 perspectives3 visualizations9 media resources11 rabbit holes

evidence

Ancient shadow clocks split the daytime into 12 hours.

evidence

Ancient people counted to 12 using their finger joints.

evidence

Egyptians divided the night into 12 parts using the stars.

Continue exploring

Why Our Clocks Count to 12

Evidence, perspectives, rabbit holes, and more