The number 8 is widely considered the luckiest in Chinese culture, closely followed by 6. These beliefs stem from the phonetic similarities of the numbers to auspicious words.
The Auspicious Number 8 (八)
The number 8 (八, bā) is profoundly significant in Chinese culture due to its pronunciation. It sounds very similar to the word for "to prosper" or "to get rich" (发, fā, from 发财, fācái). This strong association with wealth and prosperity makes it highly sought after.
Why 8 is So Lucky:
- Prosperity and Wealth: Its primary association is with financial success and good fortune.
- Balance and Harmony: The character for 8 itself (八) visually expands outwards, symbolizing growth and expansion.
Practical Applications of Number 8:
- Pricing: Items are often priced with eights, such as $8.88, to attract buyers seeking good fortune.
- Addresses and Phone Numbers: People go to great lengths to secure street addresses, phone numbers, and license plates containing eights.
- Important Dates: Auspicious events like weddings or business openings are often scheduled on dates containing the number 8. For instance, the Beijing Olympics famously began at 8:08 PM on August 8, 2008.
The Fortunate Number 6 (六)
While 8 often takes the top spot, the number 6 (六, liù) is also widely regarded as a lucky number in Chinese culture. Its significance comes from its phonetic resemblance to words associated with smoothness and flow.
Why 6 is Considered Lucky:
- Smoothness and Progress: The pronunciation of 6 sounds like the word for "flow" or "smooth" (流, liú), suggesting that everything will progress without obstacles.
- Wealth and Income: It also has a phonetic similarity to the word for "wealth" or "income" (禄, lù), reinforcing its positive associations.
Usage of Number 6:
- Business: It's considered favorable for business dealings, ensuring transactions proceed smoothly.
- Gifts: Giving gifts in sets of six or including the number in monetary gifts is common.
The Unlucky Number 4 (四)
In stark contrast to 6 and 8, the number 4 (四, sì) is widely considered to be unlucky in Chinese culture. This is due to its strong phonetic resemblance to the word for "death" (死, sǐ).
Why 4 is Unlucky:
- Association with Death: Its pronunciation is almost identical to "death," leading to widespread avoidance.
Practical Avoidance of Number 4:
- Building Design: Many buildings, especially hospitals and hotels, skip the fourth floor (similar to how some Western buildings avoid the thirteenth floor).
- Product Names: Companies often avoid using 4 in product names or serial numbers.
- Gifts: Giving four of anything is highly discouraged as it can be interpreted as wishing death upon the recipient.
Cultural Significance Beyond China
These numeric traditions and beliefs, particularly concerning the luckiness of 6 and 8 and the unluckiness of 4, are not exclusive to mainland China. They are deeply rooted in cultures with a history of using Han characters, extending to regions like Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, and other East Asian countries. This shared linguistic heritage reinforces the widespread acceptance of these numeric superstitions.
Summary of Chinese Numeric Beliefs
To summarize the significance of numbers in Chinese culture:
| Number | Pinyin | Associated Meaning | Cultural Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | bā | Prosperity, Wealth | Most Auspicious, implies financial success, growth, and good fortune. |
| 6 | liù | Smoothness, Flow, Wealth | Very Lucky, suggests things will go well and without obstacles. |
| 4 | sì | Death | Highly Unlucky, widely avoided in daily life, especially in addresses and floor numbers. |
