IT REPRESENTS the number of zodiac signs, the days of Christmas, calendar months and hours on the clock.
The number 12 is significant in many ways, but especially for Declan Greaves.
Declan will turn 12 today – on 12/12/12.
He has dubbed it his "special" birthday and will be celebrating with a surfing lesson.
"I was really excited when I worked out I would be 12 on 12/12/12," he said.
"It is really unusual, so I've been telling my friends it is going to be a special birthday.
"I wanted to decorate our tree today too so we're doing Christmas and birthday together."
Declan, who attends Holy Family School in Carlton, lives in Goole with his dad Jason, mum Elza and brother Louis.
He was born at Scunthorpe Hospital on December 12, 2000, weighing 9lb.
Elza, 35, has worked out the phenomena of having a birthday with all the digitals the same won't happen for another 98 years.
She said: "If you're wanting all the double figures to be the same, it won't happen again until someone turns ten on 10/10/2110, because it can only happen in October, November or December.
"Apparently, you only have a one in 4,068 chance of being born on one of the nine dates this can happen in 100 years, providing you are born on a millennium year."
Today, Declan will be told he will be going to Xscape near Castleford later in the week for a special birthday treat.
Declan and his brother, who turns 15 on Friday, will be treated to a surfing workshop at the adventure centre.
Elza said: "Declan loves swimming on his holidays, so they're going to the indoor surfing for a session.
"We thought we'd treat them both as they're both having birthdays this week.
"There is only one day between their birthdays and they're very close as brothers.
"They do lots of things together, but they are typical boys so sometimes they bicker, but they soon make up."
The number 12 not only holds special significance for Declan, it is also used in many mathematical calculations.
It is the general consensus that the Egyptians first came up with the 12-month calendar, which was later modified by the Romans.
It is also the smallest number which can be divided by six numbers – 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 12.
The zodiac, which also has 12 signs, is divided into zones.
The synchronizing of times comes into play as the sun progresses through each sign.
People born on December 12 are Sagittarians – who are supposedly truth-seekers who are interested in philosophy and religion and want to know more about the meaning of life.
Elza said: "Louis is very loud but Declan is more laid back and will do everything in his own time.
"Declan loves art, music, football and cricket – he plays for Goole Town."
Having a brother three years older than him makes Declan's birthday special for another reason.
"Having Louis turn 15 on the same week means, when they're older, we're going to have an 18th and a 21st within three days," said Elza.
Today, the family will be decorating their Christmas tree and watching Declan open his presents and cut his cake.
The youngster said: "I usually get lots of cards, so I'll be opening all of them.
"Last year I got a remote-controlled car that can drive over snow and ice, which was really good.
"This year I might get some money for a BlackBerry."
