Chinese culture has a long history of superstition, which still has an impact on the daily lives and business dealings of the people of China. These culturally ingrained ideas include the significance of various colors and numbers as well as the thoughtful choosing of gifts. Numerous customs and rituals are followed in various areas of life to attract good fortune and ward off ill luck.
A report in The South China Morning Post claims that in Chinese culture, numbers have a big impact on people’s life and can have a positive or bad relationship. Four is considered unlucky in Cantonese and Mandarin because it is so near to “death.” Buildings may therefore lack a fourth level or any additional floors denoted by the number 4, while having eight storeys that phonetically represent “wealth.”
This concept also applies to automobile registration plates, where lucky numbers like as 888 and 999 are highly valued and bring high sums when auctioned. For instance, the number plate “28” in Hong Kong sold for HK$18.1 million because it resembles the phrase “easy to prosper.”
Additionally, phone numbers have meaning; for example, the combination 118 and 168 is thought to bring good fortune. Although some cultures perceive the number 666 as unlucky, Chinese culture views it favorably since it denotes easy advancement in Mandarin.
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Chinese people avoid setting out seven dishes at a table when dining, especially on special occasions when the number 7 is connected to endings and loss. An even number of dishes is considered lucky, in keeping with the notion that good things occur in pairs. Auspicious dates are carefully selected for significant events, such as weddings and formal openings, frequently with the assistance of a feng shui master. Dates ending in eight are especially lucky, as demonstrated by the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, which got underway at eight o’clock on August 8. These customs are a reflection of a strong cultural belief in the ability of numbers to affect success and luck.
