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UPC and 666

© Copyright 2002, Jim Loy

A lot of people think that 666 (the number of the beast in Revelation, in case you didn't know) is embedded into the UPC (Universal Product Code) and some other bar codes. That is false. The bar code is a way to represent a 12-digit number, so that laser scanners can read it. It consists of two thin lines with a thin space between them, then six digits (represented as a code of lines and spaces), then two thin lines with a thin space between them, then six more digits, then two thin lines with a thin space between them. Those two thin lines, repeated three times are thought by many to be three sixes, as they look very much like a six in the right-hand six digits of our 12-digit number. In fact, a six in the right-hand portion of that number is line, space, line, followed by a very thick space (4 times the thickness of the thin lines). The entire code of thin and thick lines and spaces is necessary to make up a six. The two thin lines by themselves are not six, nor were they ever meant to represent a six. They are just there as borders, so the scanner can find the beginning and end of the twelve digits.

The left-most six digits of our twelve-digit number have an opposite code; white spaces replace black lines, and black lines replace white spaces. In those six digits, a six is represented by space, line, space, very thick line (4 times the thickness of the thin line). The double line borders do not look at all like this six.

Some people see 666 wherever they look. 666 is not part of the UPC; the fact that it looks like it (to some people) is an amusing (and probably unfortunate) coincidence. See 666.

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