Its purpose is the symbolization of Life.
"Poems"
Rainer Maria Rilke
Now, it may in the first place be remarked that, though symbolization of this kind is common among civilized races, it is not common among races that are the most uncivilized.
"Essays: Scientific, Political, & Speculative, Vol. I"
Herbert Spencer
Bishop Costin's mathematical symbolization of it is simply a result of the verbal logic that had been smoothed out during the previous two thousand years.
"Unwise Child"
Gordon Randall Garrett