Just found your site last night and am excited to get started.
My first shape that came to me was for the number 9 …to me it looks like a fetus.
Also a fetus is in the mother’s womb for 9 months.
Having arrived here from reading about the major system, … this isn’t using it exactly as intended but maybe an idea for some other applications of memory… In this case if you add up the value of the major letters they add up to 9 also: f+t+s = 8+1+0 = 9 
That’s great how you combined all the triggers to this shape/image!
Do you also have an action assigned to it as to what this image/object is going to do to the next image?
I think the easiest to remember would be kicking as pregnant mothers are always complaining about that. I think this could be a memorable image too once you add in what it is kicking; could create some funny images. Example: #919: a crying fetus kicking an elephant. The elephant is scared because it thinks it’s a mouse and runs off trumpeting into the jungle.
Great! A crying fetus is kind of episodic which is memorable in itself. With a Kicking action assigned to it, it would be easy to memorise the whole scene.
You could also do what I do sometimes as a 5 digit image/scene method.
Let us say it was 19 9 20
19 - Elephant
9 - Kicking (as your action)
20 - Snail
We’d see this single scene on the locus;
Elephant is Kicking the Snail
It could also be the opposite; 20 9 19
Snail is Kicking the Elephant.
If you can assign a sound to each action, then it’s even more powerful to memorise it with ease. It is very easy to add a memorable action & a sound to the single digits from 0-9 if you just spend a few minutes on each, which will then give you all the Premade actions with its sounds.
I use the 5 digits method to memorise phone numbers of a person within a matter of a few seconds as it only requires the action digits from 0-9.
You could of course use 09 instead of 9 as a single image/action which covers 2 digits instead, so it would be 6 digits at a time for a single scene. Such as 19 09 20 Elephant Kicking Snail.
I don’t use this method when I’m competing at the ML, but for daily life memory needs, it almost does not require any practice.
Those are some really great tips! I like the idea of assigning multiple words to each number that will be useful in recalling something I need to memorize, and that, as you mentioned, the actions only need to be assigned to the first 10.
I’m about to start learning the history of Mexico for my citizenship exam, including dates, people/names, places, vocabulary and culture. Trying to sort out what strategy to use for the different things I need to learn. Your website is amazing! I was up late last night reading.
I’ve always been interested in the optimal way to learn or to “hack our brains”; how to read faster, memorize more and how to retain it all long term. As a teenager, I bought Kevin Trudeau’s book Mega Memory which is about the peg system. I got it, but it just didn’t stick at the time. I’ve always kept its core strategy in mind though & that the more detailed and crazy your image, the better. Luckily I have a pretty good imagination and your concept of seeing the numbers as objects I think will be a game changer for someone like me who is very visually oriented but has trouble recalling numbers/dates etc. I couldn’t see how to make it easier to memorize long lists of numbers without having to actually remember them, only being aided by a trigger or cue, like the peg system. Years ago I devised a way to use the numbers that correspond to the alphabet to create novel passwords for all of my different accounts, in a way that they correspond to the website name and therefore knowing the “code” I always know the password even though they’re all different.
Fast-forward to last night where I was trying to help a Spanish speaker understand the difference between lie and lay which led me to look up major and minor letter combinations, regarding their pronunciation… and I stumbled onto the major system quite accidentally, and that then led me down this wonderful rabbit hole and I ended up here! Having only learned about all these systems last night, I’m just amazed at all the ideas and info I never knew existed! I’m like a kid in a candy store lol!
I think the Shaper System will be so helpful with learning all the dates, which I had been dreading. I like the concept of the major system too, and it might be more helpful for remembering names or places that just don’t come naturally to me, because they’re in Spanish, either phonetically or in regard to its spelling & especially where there are accents. Maybe I can somehow tag or peg words using the major system to my Shaper system numbers. 
I’ll do a search but if you have any tips or strategies, links to other topics on your forum etc., on the best way to learn any of the above, I would be so grateful. I’m excited to give this go! 
P.S. How detailed do you get with your number shapes? Is it weird that my #9 fetus has already developed the attitude & voice of Stewie from Family Guy? 
I have a lot of posts about this, but I’ll explain it simply.
I have a folder with 100 number shapes images.
These covers each 2 digit image from 00-99.
I also have another folder with real pictures that represent each 2 digit shape.
I have assigned an action to each image, so it does an action to the next image regardless of what the next image is. It’s always the same action.
I have also assigned a sound for each image, so each has a different sound when the action is applied. It is difficult to explain the sounds because each sound is different. One could be a Swish sound, and another is a punch, another is kick, another is cracking, slapping, etc. If the image does not have a natural sound for example 22 is a pair of High Heel Shoes, I simply add a sound to it which in this case is the sound a Walking. If it’s an Elephant for example I use the natural sound of an Angry Elephant. 63 is a Bee, so it’s the sszzzz sound. etc. However, you don’t need to use any sounds to memorise a piece of data, it can still be done without any sounds, but I find that it really powers up the brain to memorise and to recall it more easily.
Practice 10 actions & 10 sounds for a full day with your Shape or Major images. If you do nothing else other than practicing 10 actions for a full day, then you’ll have them programmed into your mind. So if you follow this for 10 more days to practice the next 10 and the next 10 and son on until,all 100 actions are programmed in your mind, then you’ll have a ready-made system you can use anywhere, anytime with almost anything you want to memorise involving number digits.
The actions are also used for different memory disciplines. Binary digits for example can be memorised very easily using the same system. It works for most of the disciplines, memorising images with no loci, numbers, cards, binary, words, memory palace, and surprisingly Names & Faces also which I have not yet talked about how it can be used.
I would suggest, you find real pictures to represent your 2 digit shapes same as I did.
And get to know each image inside out. Look at the outline shape of it, colour, size, weight, feel, taste, and everything else you can notice about it. Close your eyes and really force yourself to see those details. At first it may not be easy to see it, however each time you look at that image and notice something different such as color or the weight of it, go back to closing your eyes and see it again. If you allocate some time do this with each image, your visualisation will improve to a high level.
Thank you!! You’re great at explaining all this too which is so helpful!
I find new one
Some Pokemons -
97 - their body is looking like 9 & tail is like 7
And if you see the name of this Pokemon
Pikachu (initial letter of name of Pokemon)
34 - Charizard (and for 3 digits is 340 )
For 3 digits , Fire of Charizard is 0.
3 - Luvdisc Pokemon
27 - Ostrich (2 is head and neck & 7 is body + leg )
When I numbered Ostrich 20 that time I think Erol named for 20 is snail
20 - Snail ( slowest animal)
20 - Ostrich (fastest animal)
Let’s collaborate making a wikibook. Hmm, get the remark I’m not allowed to put links in a reply. Ok, google
Just a quick update.
I’ve been talking to a member in PM. I’ve talked about how the shaper system can also be used together with an already existing system such as the Major or Dominic.
I thought about sharing it here because others might also find it useful. So rather than typing the whole thing again I have just copied and pasted it here.
Using the actions of the shape/images together with the Major system.
" It’s also a great addition with an added value to an already existing system you/others may be using.
If you are using a 2 or 3 digit major system for example,
you can instantly make 4 or 5 digit PA using the actions on the images as explained before. So it can be 2-digit Shape-image | It’s Action | 2 (or 3) digit major image.
Or the other way round if one finds it easier.
It’s up to the individual to use; Shape + Major OR Major + Shape.
As an example; 01 400
Shape image 01 = Lighter | It’s action = Burns/Fire/Flames
Major image 400 = RoSeS
Single image = RoSeS in flames.
The other way round; 400 01
Single image = RoSeS in flames.
If you hear the sound of the flames, it’s even more memorable.
So If 01 image was a lighter that burns, you’d see your 3 digit major image on Fire and in Flames. A single image that would cover 5 digits (if it’s 3 digit major).
This is because 01 is the only one that has a burning action. No other action burns any other image, so it can not be confused as to what was first.
Each one has it’s unique action/clue.
I’ve created and tried the simplified version of this system on people with dyslexia, one of which was a 90 year old. It worked!
In fact, people with dyslexia were better learners using the shapes/images/actions.
Because it doesn’t need any phonetics or reasoning. It’s just shapes that gives you the images instantly and it’s own natural action. It can also be used in almost any language.
Those are the 3 big added value.
As for the application of it; it works for number digits, it works for memorising images (as explained), memorising words, cards, binary, study material, passwords, mind-maps, speech, dates & appointments, history, and many more. And surprisingly it even works for names and faces. Most of how the system is applied to the applications is about the same method as explained before.
I can’t wait to create a video course for it. I will explain how this can be used with all the applications I mentioned in detail which will make it so easy to see and to apply. My main idea is to make it Enjoyable by making it easy to learn, easy to practice, and easy to apply.
I believe it will be a huge contribution to the art of memorising which will help an ordinary person to easily learn it and to easily apply it for their day to day life activities, and perhaps also for competing in a memory league like I do with some good results.
As for the images system I mentioned in my earlier reply, practice and try it out for a few days. Keep practicing it with 30 actions. If you do, I’m more than sure you’ll get all 30 within 60 seconds all the time, and all day long as you don’t have to have a palace to store images. It’s a self working system. You’ll see yourself getting faster with more practice. "
A big problem I’m having is reversing the numbers. 41 becomes 14 and so on. I test this with an SRS program and delete anything that I make a mistake with 2 days in a row.
I also recommend having multiple options for each number and just see what sticks first. Then delete the other option.
I also found that for actions I would initially choose something only to find something else replacing it. If that happens, don’t fight it. Just go with it and get on with changing the action. If there’s a conflict because of this there’s usually a way around it in some way.
Perfect!
I have 34 as Goat. A goat’s action could be headbutting, however I have 59 as headbutting because it’s a Bull. At first I had a challenge of creating an action because it has the same action as the Bull. Now I’ve changed 34 to Milk, still remembering that it’s a Goat, however I converted that into Goat’s Milk, so each time I see 34 It’s A Glass Of Milk with the action of Pouring Milk onto the next object which makes the object wet & runny in thick white liquid. So If any of my objects has a white coloured liquid running down from it, I know it would have to be 34.
This happened with a few of my objects with it’s actions. So you are spot on with it that the actions could change but the objects may remain, or it could be the other way round.
Why is this a problem? Why do you have the need to reverse the digits?
Interesting to see you mentioned this. I’ve talked about this with another BM and we are still talking about this.
I have worked on reverse digits as an experiment. And it was somewhat successful. However, because I started off with 100 objects actions, I seem to be faster with that as it’s already been programmed into my subconscious mind. But I believe it would work if one starts with reverse digits system. I have created a template for it and made a good few notes, but never had a chance to talk about it. I think It is a good system, and I’ll probably make a new topic about this and invite BMs to brainstorm ideas about it. It’ll be good to know your experience also.
I don’t mean to reverse the numbers. It’s just dyslexia rules, KO!
Something that helped me is trying to remember actions going the same way as I read with English. So I fixed 41 as a friend water skiing from right to left with the 1 as the rope. That’s a rule I’ve created to avoid getting mixed up with 14.
But I still get mixed with 6 and 9’s. Sherlock Holmes smoking a pipe was supposed to be 36 but I keep seeing 39 as that… only not reliable fix that reference.
The system might benefit from some more arbitrary rules to avoid mix ups.
I like this system. I favor it to anything else when I can. I don’t really get as many associations as you do though. I don’t see a headbutt for 34 but then I have 4 as a sail on a boat.
I think I need to get more into the mode of thinking for it. I have more requirements from it though. I try to use it as a starting point, typically get an object and then try to associate that object with a person and an action just because I heard faces are easier to remember. I should probably just use some more animals.
Here’s another trick: use the decades. For the 80’s I try to choose someone from that decade to add another reference peg. So I have Michael J Fox for 1985. edit: supposed to be 85!! This isn’t always available but it’s a good extra reference point to squeeze in if you can.
You can also use a few British Bongo tricks. 8 is a fat lady. 81 is a fat lady with a walking stick.
Just to comment on other’s associations: For 27 I have Eric Clapton because 7 rhymes with heaven and Eric Clapton wrote Tears in Heaven. The 27 muscian’s club is memorable in of itself so I have 3 reference pegs for that one and I think that’s why it stuck better.
Finally, I put all the numbers on a stretch sequentially and use that as a reference. So I imagine putting 27 close to 30. A pseudo journey/palace.
By the way, doesn’t anyone else see 3’s as a butt?!
I see.
I’ve tried it on my neighbour who is 90 yrs old and has dyslexia and worked perfect. He was laughing at how easy it was working for him.
That’s a great method!
Perhaps you can imagine the Pipe upside down instead when you see it as 9.
Thank you. As for 34, you can still use the sail-boat, and use the 3 for whatever it reminds you of and link the two together. Perhaps that might work.
Try it with a person and or an animal, and see what works best for you. It can actually work with both, or even as they are with the shapes/objects as long as you create a premade action for it.
Great! So if any digit starts with an 8 followed by a digit from 0-9 , perhaps you can simply attach a number shape with an action from 0-9.
Yes, that works really well also!
Perfect!
Haha
I did! In fact I used to use 30 as Farting, 3 is the butt, 0 is the Wind.
So if you see 27 30, you’d see Eric Clapton Farting, perhaps with musical notes coming out of his butt
That’s interesting.
I remember I had terrible trouble remembering turning bolts ‘lefty loosey, righty tighten’ (clockwise to tighten) because I couldn’t figure out if I should be looking down on the bolt or up to the bolt from below.
It turns out that when most people think about it magine themselves over the bolt, regardless of whether they’re doing it up or undoing it.
Could do. I think something as simple as this has more value to more people.
I’m putting in more work in though because I want every 2 digit number to be totally unique and every action to be totally unique, not reusing any actions or animals. I’m paranoid I’ll get confused.
I think I’d be trying to adapt everything to the Dominic system too much though. When I noticed that faces are easier to remember than the Major system I zoned in on faces maybe too much. I had CHEESE as 60 before but I think that was more limiting due to incompatibility with PA or PAO rather than not being a face. Cheese could carry a lot of meaning, it’s just that known people already have a lot of depth. Cheese would need to be a lot more specific, full of emotion and smell, I guess.
I do reuse images, but I reuse images to link to new things.
As an example of this, anything with an 8 does involve the same property of ‘fat’ but they’re all different fat things. It’s a lot more work but I kind of enjoy the challenge. For example, I have 87 = Fat superman trying to fly with cape and 89 = sumo wrestler on the phone.
It’s hard work doing this but I kinda like the process. It’s been a real insight into myself. For example, I haven’t rotated numbers and stuff in years but I just experienced here a few times. I didn’t see myself as dyslexic anymore but there it is, once again. It’s nice to make these self discoveries. I can see why people get into memory sports. It’s pretty crazy.
Glad someone else saw the butt! I was getting worried!!
That’s a very interesting method! This remind me of when I used to goto the local Bingo, and whenever 88 was called, the speaker would say Two Fat Ladies
Here are some more I can recall from the Bingo; It was associated and or rhymed;
11 - Slim-Legs 11
55 - Snakes Alive. Now thinking about it, 55 do look like two snakes.
13 - Unlucky for some.
65 - Pensioner
17 - Dancing Queen
7 - Lucky
19 - Goodbye Teens
22 - two little ducks
3 - Cup of tea.
74 - kick the floor.
32 - buckle my shoe
I can’t recall all of them, but it’s amazing how many of them I can recall. Just shows how much I used to play bingo
Yes, I’ve used a few of these alongside the Shaper System now.
It’s definitely worth trying them out. You quickly get a sense of what works and what doesn’t. For me, 2 Little Ducks stuck very well as I linked it to Rubber Duck racing on rivers as a kid. Conversely, 32 was simply useless for me and I found all the rhyming ones never worked well for me. A great insight though!
13 is handy. I linked it with Friday the 13th and that gave it a number of reference hooks with gore.
55, Snakes alive! That’s a good one. I think it’s going to stick. Perhaps my character for that could be Samuel L Jackson with 'No more ***** snakes on this *****ing plane!" even though I’ve never seen the movie. This is how I think the Shaper System can be an excellent starting point to build into emotions and concepts - you start off with something as simple as an image and then keep building on it. The interesting thing about the snakes though is that I could be making a mistake going with Jackson. Jackson is not really the primary emotion link compared to crap loads of snakes falling out of overhead lockers!
In this case, Snake = Fear, Samuel = Brave but the snakes are more memorable. I wonder what direction that’ll go in.
Can certainly paint them too as Lynn Kelly suggests in Memory craft. I use the AutoDraw website for this as I think the movement of the hand is superior to images.google due to muscle memory, even if the computer is mostly drawing for us.
For 74, we had 14 as a guy sitting on the toilet so we could go with a guy getting wacked up the behind with a golf club. That then leads me to Father Ted. I’ll try that.
The funny thing is that when I first started this I put them into Anki worried that I might forget them. Then I realized if it doesn’t stick… that’s fantastic because I know it ain’t working, haha!
For 96 I have 2 lovers back to back after an argument.
I need some ideas for: 32,34,49,61,62,67,71,78,79,93,95. I have some ideas but they’re not up to standard. I can see the suggestions above but I just guess I’m not coming at them quite right.
That’s hilarious!
