In occult literature treating of magic square talismans, we find usually the same 7 magic squares. These are the ones I call canonical magic squares. Their side length goes from 3 to 9 and they are built using one of the three techniques below. Those three techniques have the interest that you only need to count to be able to build a magic square, there is no need to do any summation.
- Making odd size magic square
- Making magic squares with side length multiple of four
- Making a 6 by 6 magic square
Of course there are many more magic squares than those canonical seven. One example can be found in Dürer’s Melencolia I.