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Unlucky Chinese Numbers: Unveil the Secrets of Eastern Superstition

In Chinese culture, numbers hold immense significance beyond their mathematical values. Certain numbers are believed to bring misfortune or inauspiciousness, shaping various aspects of Chinese life, from architecture and business to personal decisions.

Number Meaning
4 Homophone for "death"
13 Unlucky Western number
7 Sounds like "ghost" in Cantonese
14 Combines "dead" (4) and "life" (10)
37 Homophone for "corpse"

The Influence of Unlucky Chinese Numbers

  • Architecture: Buildings often avoid floors and room numbers containing unlucky numbers.
  • Business: Companies may shun phone numbers or addresses with these numbers.
  • Personal Decisions: Birthdays, wedding dates, and even names may be chosen to avoid misfortune.

Success Stories:

  • The Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong, a 70-story skyscraper, omits the 13th, 14th, and 24th floors due to unlucky Chinese numbers.
  • Huawei Technologies reportedly removed all phones ending in 37 from its offices.
  • Zhang Yimou's film "House of Flying Daggers" released on August 18, 2004 (08/18), a highly auspicious date in Chinese culture.
Number Meaning
8 Homophone for "wealth"
6 Sounds like "smooth"
9 Homophone for "long-lasting"
168 Combines "fortune" (16) and "prosperity" (8)
1000 Homophone for "eternity"

Why Unlucky Chinese Numbers Matter

Integrating knowledge of unlucky Chinese numbers can:

  • Increase Cultural Sensitivity: Demonstrate respect for Chinese beliefs and traditions.
  • Enhance Business Interactions: Avoid potential misunderstandings or offense.
  • Maximize Marketing Effectiveness: Tailor marketing campaigns to align with cultural norms.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Assuming all unlucky numbers are taboo: Some numbers, like 7, are unlucky only in certain contexts.
  • Overemphasizing unlucky numbers: Avoid focusing excessively on negative superstitions.
  • Disregarding cultural diversity: China has various regional variations in beliefs about lucky and unlucky numbers.
Time:2024-08-06 16:36:25 UTC

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