Tim,
I know that in tiaji the numbers 8,5 and 13 show up in several things and was wondering if any other numbers have any relevance, especially the number 9. I know this seems like a goofy question, especially if there is no relevance to the number, but I'm serious.
Steve

read fingerprints of the gods by grahan Hancock, the numbers 108 I think it was and some others come up alot in history by an anient knowledge transmitted through history in the forms of myths, legends, and legacies as well as fingerprints like the pyramids by a high but vanished civilization.

Another book you should check out is Hamlet's Mill:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0879232153/qid=1108625880/sr=2-1/ref=pd_b bs_b_2_1/103-1440503-3973423

Steve,
I don't think the number 9 comes up too often in the theory or names of Taijiquan forms.

The numbers 1 through 9 especially are symbolic and are often used in all Chinese martial arts, the common associations are:

One: Wuji (the Void)
Two: Liang Yi (yin and yang)
Three: San Cai (Three Powers, also San Ti)
Four: Si Xiang (Four Forms)
Five: Wu Xing (Five Elements)
Six: Liu He (Six Harmonies)
Seven: Qi Xing (Seven Stars)
Eight: Ba Gua (Eight Trigrams)
Nine: Jiu Gong (Nine Palaces)

...also, the number "9" is considered lucky by Chinese since it sounds similar to to the word "long" --long life, longevity, etc, etc.

The number "4" is generally condsidered unlucky because of its similarity to "death".

Of course none of this has anything to with martial arts.

Other than playing with that particular in the name of mathematics, the only significance of that number is the following: 9 THE NUMBER OF JUDGMENT. There are 9 greek words derived from the root word meaning judgment = dikay. The following words each occur 9 times in the Bible: abussos (bottomless pit); asebee (ungodly); aselgeia (lasciviousness); and astrapee (lightning). The gifts of the spirit are 9 in number (1 Cor. 12:8-10): the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, tongues, and interpretation of tongues.
Any culture can interpret numbers as they wish, but the truth is in the Good Book.

In the words of the Late and Great Jimi Hendrix... what if 6 turned out to be 9.

An interesting quote from a man who suffocated on his own vomit. Even more interesting is the symbolism of the number 69 in the occult. When Crowley talks of the gifts of the tongues, he speaks of the way to suck seed and the way to suck eggs. The symbol for cancer is this number, sideways. 23+23+23 = 69. 23/23/23 = www.

These two numbers together represent man and judgment/completion. As the waters flowed during the time of Noah, so shall wickedness be dealt with again. But this time, for good.

So what if 6 turned out to be 9 or 9 turned out to be 6? The only thing you need to know is that 666 will be crushed by 888.

Supersition aside, numbers have no meaning beyond the ones that we give them either socially or individually.

Sigmund Freud might have included the meaning of individual numbers as interpreted in numerology (in all its nutty variaties) when he said "and sometimes a cigar is just a cigar."

The Bible speaks of the number 69: "out of thy belly shall flow rivers of living water".

John 7:38

What other significance does the number nine have??

The end. Finality of the world as we know it. Final judgment. God's wrath.

There are nine basic fruits which should be evident in the life of the believer (Gal 5:22-23). The words "my wrath" have the numeric value 999. The word Amen or verily is valued at 99 and occurs 99 times.

The work on the cross was completed at the ninth hour when Jesus said "It is finished". The shedding of his blood was final. It saw an end to the old system of animal sacrifice to atone for sin. The word "blood" in this sense occurs 99 times.

For those who accept Christ Jesus as their Lord and Savior there exist an eternity with God. For those who refuse him as their Lord and Savior, there is no relationship with the Father God Almighty. What awaits those who mock Him and refuse his love and gift of eternal salvation is an eternity cut off from God and the realization of what could have been.