Let\u2019s chat about a cultural quirk today \u2013 the love-hate relationship between the Chinese people and numbers.<\/p>\n
What are the numbers that Chinese people love, and what are those that we loathe? There are of course differences between different regions, but in general, the great unlucky number is 4 (\u201c\u56db\u201d). The reason is purely phonetic \u2013 the sound of 4 in Mandarin is s\u00ec, and it is closely similar to the sound of \u201c\u6b7b\u201ds\u01d0, which means death. The only difference is the tone. So people often avoid rooms or phone numbers with too many 4’s in them.<\/p>\n
And what is the luckiest number? Most probably 8 (\u201c\u516b\u201d). In Cantonese, the pronunciation of 8 (b\u0101 in Mandarin) is close to\u201c\u53d1\u201d(f\u0101) of \u201c\u53d1\u8d22\u201d(f\u0101 c\u00e1i), which means to get rich, to make a fortune. \u201c\u53d1\u201d itself has the basic meanings of \u2018to produce\u2019, \u2018to generate\u2019, \u2018to develop\u2019, \u2018to expand\u2019, \u2018to prosper\u2019. So phone numbers with several 8\u2019s, especially those that run, are usually so highly popular that they are more expensive than other numbers.<\/p>\n
Other than 8, other well sought after numbers are 6, 9, and 10.<\/p>\n
6 (\u201c\u516d\u201dli\u00f9), is a preferred number for similar reasons as 8. There is an expression\u201c\u516d\u516d\u5927\u987a\u201d(li\u00f9 li\u00f9 d\u00e0 sh\u00f9n) which means \u2018everything goes smoothly\u2019. In addition, the sound of \u201c\u516d\u201d is close to\u201c\u7984\u201d(l\u00f9), which used to mean salary in the olden days.<\/p>\n
Alright, that\u2019s quite a lot of money talk, what a bunch of money faced people we Chinese are huh! Well, luckily 9 and 10 are loved for other reasons.<\/p>\n
9 (\u201c\u4e5d\u201dji\u01d4) sounds exactly the same as\u201c\u4e45\u201d (ji\u01d4)*, which means \u2018a long time\u2019. So it is hoped that with the blessing of this number, relationships, be they business or love, would be long-lasting. Many couples choose to tie the knot on 9th September (9th day of the 9th month). If you wish to do so, do book your wedding venue way in advance! And, be prepared to fork out a fortune for the auspicious date.<\/p>\n
As for 10 (\u201c\u5341\u201dsh\u00ed), it is considered a perfect number because it implies\u201c\u5341\u5168\u5341\u7f8e\u201d (sh\u00ed qu\u00e1n sh\u00ed m\u011bi), meaning \u2018to be perfect in every aspect\u2019. But on the other hand, this number is considered by some to be unfavourable. There is a saying that goes\u201c\u6c34\u6ee1\u5219\u6ea2\uff0c\u6708\u76c8\u5219\u4e8f\u201d(shu\u01d0 m\u01cen z\u00e9 y\u00ec, yu\u00e8 y\u00edng z\u00e9 ku\u012b), which means \u2018water overflows the moment the container is over-filled, the moon begins to wane the moment it becomes full\u2019. (Finally, some philosophical reasoning other than just rhymes and dollars and cents!)<\/p>\n
We also tend to look at numbers as a set. For example, 168 is considered a lucky number because it rhymes with\u201c\u4e00\u8def\u53d1\u201d(y\u00ed l\u00f9 f\u0101), meaning \u2018to prosper all the way\u2019.<\/p>\n
Another thing to note about numbers in Chinese culture is that, we generally prefer even numbers to odd numbers. There is a believe that good things come in pairs, which is embedded in the expression\u201c\u597d\u4e8b\u6210\u53cc\u201d(h\u01ceo sh\u00ec ch\u00e9ng shu\u0101ng). Hence, red packets, called\u201c\u7ea2\u5305\u201d(h\u00f3ng b\u0101o \u2013 monetary gifts wrapped in red envelopes given during festive seasons and weddings), mostly contain amounts of even numbers. This is especially true for weddings, an event that unifies 2 people, so odd numbers are considered inauspicious. By the way, red packets are commonly known as \u2018ang pao\u2019 in Singapore, as this is the way the term is pronounced in the predominant dialects here \u2013 Hokkein and Teochew.<\/p>\n
Actually, the penchant for even numbers is evident not only when Chinese give red packets. It seems that often, for many of us when we buy things, naturally we opt to buy in even numbers if given a choice.<\/p>\n
What are the lucky and unlucky numbers in your culture? Do share in the comments!<\/p>\n
Until next time!<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s chat about a cultural quirk today \u2013 the love-hate relationship between the Chinese people and numbers. What are the numbers that Chinese people love, and what are those that we loathe? There are of course differences...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2667,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[293,78,82],"tags":[239],"class_list":["post-1254","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-culture","category-mandarin","tag-numbers"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t