Twelve, 12

http://supertarot.co.uk/westcott/chap16.htm

This number has a perfect and notable character and was highly esteemed by most nations of antiquity. Almost all the twelves will be found to be allied, either obviously or in a concealed manner, with the Signs of the Zodiac, twelve signs or partitions of the great circle of the heavens twelve times thirty degrees forming the perfect cycle of 360 arithmetical degrees of the circle. Each sign was further subdivided into three decans. There are many of the learned who believe the twelve sons of Jacob and twelve founders of tribes, are allegorical only. We may mention the Twelve Grand Points of Masonry," which used to form a part of the lectures in the Craft degrees. Twelve events in the ceremony of initiation, referred to the sons of Jacob, are given by Mackey:

To Reuben was referred the opening of the Lodge he was the first-born son.
To Simeon, the preparation of the land he prepared the destruction of the Shechemites.
To Levi, the report or signal he gave the signal in the attack on the men of Shechem.
To Judah, the entrance of the land that tribe first entered the Promised Land.
To Zebulum, the prayer the prayer and blessing of his father fell on him in preference to Issachar.
To Issachar, the circumambulation an indolent tribe, who required a leader.
To Dan, the advance to the Altar for a contrast to their rapid advance to idolatry.
To Gad, the obligation on account of Jephtahs vow.
To Asher, the entrusting; with rich Masonic blessings resembled the Fathers of their land.
To Naphtali, the investment and declared Free." The tribe of Naphtali had a peculiar freedom given by Moses.
To Joseph, the N.E. corner because Ephraim and Manasseh (grandsons) represented him, newest comers.
To Benjamin, the closing of the Lodge as being the last son of the Patriarch.
The following associations of Birds, Animals and Flowers with heavenly bodies has the authority the Greco-Roman mythology: -