When Kate Cassidy shared an image of the note Liam Payne left her before his tragic passing, she revealed their secret fascination with angel numbers and manifestation. 

It’s an ideology that arguably roots back to the sixth century in Ancient Greece with the Pythagoreans, who believed that numbers had mystic, spiritual properties, with unique vibrational patterns that can provide insight into the nature of the universe. 

Fast forward to today, and a modern interpretation of the concept, angel numbers, has surged in popularity, with individuals keen to secure an improved existence through the guidance of numbers and manifestation.

Kate added ‘444 to in her emotional tribute to her ‘angel’ boyfriend and shared a snap of a note where Liam had written the numbers. It showed the former One Direction member’s fascination with ‘angel numbers’ and ‘manifesting’.

The sequence ‘444’ can signify protection, encouragement, and support from the spiritual realm, as well as clarity, stability and security. Believers in the trend report seeing angel number sequences everywhere, from bills and receipts to the time on the clock.

Jay-Z, Beyonce, Bella Hadid and Jennifer Aniston have all spoken on angel numbers, which can act as a ‘manifestation tool’ according to Manifestation Coach, Esther McCann.

Talking to Femail, Esther explained that angel numbers ‘all have different meanings, or frequencies and are believed to carry a message for the individual’.

She added: ‘They are numbers that you will keep noticing in life regularly, sometimes in the strangest of places.

‘When they are seen often like this, they become known as a synchronicity, sceptics will put it down to coincidence but for the spiritually open, many feel it’s a sign.

Jay Z tributes angel numbers with his thirteenth studio album, called 4:44. It was no doubt a decision supported by wife Beyoncé, with the pair both having Roman numerals IV – the number four – inked on their ring fingers to represent their marriage date – 4 April 2008 – and their birth dates both landing on the fourth. 

Highsnobiety reported how the rapper came to coin the album name. Jay Z said: ‘4:44’ is a song that I wrote, and it’s the crux of the album, just right in the middle of the album. And I woke up, literally, at 4:44 in the morning, 4:44 AM, to write this song. 

‘So it became the title of the album and everything. It’s the title track because it’s such a powerful song, and I just believe one of the best songs I’ve ever written.’

Years later in 2022, Kylie Jenner revealed her son was born on February 2 – ‘2/2/22’, as she wrote on Instagram, which is why she’s been spotted sporting a necklace with the sequence.

Jennifer Aniston is another fan – she has the number 11:11 inked on her wrist. Katy Perry’s new album ‘143’ is also an angel sequence. Bella Hadid has angel numbers 222 in all her perfumes. 

According to Esther, angel numbers can appear as single digits, repeating digits, such as ‘222’, repetitive sequences on the clock like 12:12, mirror numbers, such as 14:41, or a ‘ladder number’ like 12:34, which represents progression.

‘For example, repeating fives are known to be a symbol of upcoming changes, or they’re a signal that you’re already going through a transformational life chapter,’ she said.

Esther added: ‘9:11 is a message of one cycle closing out and a new one beginning. And the most popular is 11:11 which is seen as a bit of a manifestation holy grail, because it symbolises alignment with your desires, new beginnings, and being on the right path.’

While sequences may vary, all angel numbers are linked to manifestation, which is the practice of thinking aspirational thoughts with the hopes of making them real, and is often attempted via journalling and repeating desires. 

According to Esther, seeing angel numbers may be a sign that one’s manifestations are working, saying: ‘It is like a confirmation signal from the universe saying, ”you’re right on track”, ”you’re being supported”, or ”something is coming”.’

‘We can’t track our manifestations as we would a parcel, so it’s a comforting nudge to keep us trusting in our goals.’

Talking to Femail, Psychic Medium TJ Higgs said the booming popularity of angel numbers and manifestation may be linked to celebrity culture.

She said: ‘Recently, the popularity of angel numbers has surged, especially with the rise of social media and influencers sharing their spiritual experiences.

‘This trend may be linked to celebrity culture, as many public figures promote spiritual practices and mindfulness, prompting their followers to explore similar paths.’

Kate Cassidy revealed that she and Liam had been ‘manifesting their lives together’ – a longing heavily associated with the number she signed off her tribute post with, ‘444’.

The 25-year-old told her followers that she had been at a ‘complete loss’ following the tragedy and that ‘nothing about the past few days had felt real’.