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In Chinese culture, numbers play a significant role in everyday life, influencing decisions from car registration plates to wedding dates. Here are five ways the Chinese maximize good luck through numerology:
Buildings
As per a SCMP report, the number 4 is associated with misfortune due to its pronunciation being similar to the word for death in Cantonese and Mandarin.Consequently, property developers in mainland China and Hong Kong often omit the fourth floor and any floors containing the number 4 in their buildings. These floors are typically replaced with the next number, making the actual fourth floor labeled as the fifth. Additionally, the 13th floor is also sometimes skipped due to 1 plus 3 equating to 4, which is considered unlucky. Conversely, floors with the number 8, sounding like “fortune,” and 9, sounding like “longevity,” are highly sought after for their auspicious connotations.
Car registration plates
The significance of auspicious numbers extends to car registration plates. Combinations like 888 (triple fortune) and 999 (triple longevity) are coveted for their indications of prosperity and eternal blessings. In 2016, the number plate “28” sold for HK$18.1 million at auction, reflecting the phrase “easy to prosper.” Similarly, “18” (“definitely will get rich”) and “9” (“longevity”) fetched HK$16.5 million and HK$13 million, respectively, in previous auctions, the SCMP report said.
Phone numbers
Auspicious numerical combinations in phone numbers are also highly valued. Combinations such as 118 (“fortune every day”), 168 (“good fortune all the way”), and 666 (“everything will go smoothly”) are considered lucky. For instance, 98016888 can be interpreted as “from the year 1998 onwards, there will be good fortune again and again.”
Dining
When dining, the Chinese avoid serving seven dishes at a table, particularly during celebrations, as 7 is associated with loss and endings. In Mandarin, 7 sounds like “to go,” and it is linked to funerals, where seven courses are often prepared. To avoid mimicking funeral rituals, an even number of dishes is preferred, as good things are believed to come in pairs.
Major events
To maximize luck, significant events like weddings and official openings are scheduled on auspicious dates. For weddings, the choice of a date involves considering the couple’s and their parents’ birthdays, often requiring consultation with a feng shui master. Dates featuring the number 8 are generally favored. For example, the Beijing Summer Olympics in 2008 began at 8 pm on August 8, chosen for its auspiciousness.
Buildings
As per a SCMP report, the number 4 is associated with misfortune due to its pronunciation being similar to the word for death in Cantonese and Mandarin.Consequently, property developers in mainland China and Hong Kong often omit the fourth floor and any floors containing the number 4 in their buildings. These floors are typically replaced with the next number, making the actual fourth floor labeled as the fifth. Additionally, the 13th floor is also sometimes skipped due to 1 plus 3 equating to 4, which is considered unlucky. Conversely, floors with the number 8, sounding like “fortune,” and 9, sounding like “longevity,” are highly sought after for their auspicious connotations.
Car registration plates
The significance of auspicious numbers extends to car registration plates. Combinations like 888 (triple fortune) and 999 (triple longevity) are coveted for their indications of prosperity and eternal blessings. In 2016, the number plate “28” sold for HK$18.1 million at auction, reflecting the phrase “easy to prosper.” Similarly, “18” (“definitely will get rich”) and “9” (“longevity”) fetched HK$16.5 million and HK$13 million, respectively, in previous auctions, the SCMP report said.
Phone numbers
Auspicious numerical combinations in phone numbers are also highly valued. Combinations such as 118 (“fortune every day”), 168 (“good fortune all the way”), and 666 (“everything will go smoothly”) are considered lucky. For instance, 98016888 can be interpreted as “from the year 1998 onwards, there will be good fortune again and again.”
Dining
When dining, the Chinese avoid serving seven dishes at a table, particularly during celebrations, as 7 is associated with loss and endings. In Mandarin, 7 sounds like “to go,” and it is linked to funerals, where seven courses are often prepared. To avoid mimicking funeral rituals, an even number of dishes is preferred, as good things are believed to come in pairs.
Major events
To maximize luck, significant events like weddings and official openings are scheduled on auspicious dates. For weddings, the choice of a date involves considering the couple’s and their parents’ birthdays, often requiring consultation with a feng shui master. Dates featuring the number 8 are generally favored. For example, the Beijing Summer Olympics in 2008 began at 8 pm on August 8, chosen for its auspiciousness.
