When the aron was taken away [during the second bais hamikdash] the ‘even hashisiea’ [the foundation rock of the world] was there and the shovel was placed upon it. It was higher then the ground by three fingers.

Yuma 5:3

The cohein gadol then came out and took the blood of his ox from the one who was stirring it. He took the blood to the kodshei kodshim where he was before and sprinkled one above and seven below. He did not sprinkle on or below the aron, rather above means like a whip going up and below means using a downward motion.This is how he counted; one, one and one, one and two etc.