The number 4 holds a special place in Chinese culture, and is often associated with failure and misfortune. This belief in the bad influence of number 4 has deep roots associated with Chinese superstitions and the symbolism of numbers. While in Western culture certain numbers (e.g. 13) are considered unsuccessful, in China the number 4 is associated with something much more serious and disturbing. In this article, we look at why the Chinese fear the number 4, how that figure relates to China's culture, language and traditions.
1. The symbolism of the number 4 in Chinese culture
1.1 The sound of the number 4 and its association with death
The main reason that the Chinese are afraid of the number 4 lies in the sound similarity between the number 4 (四, "c" or "sy") and the word death (死, "sy"). In Chinese, c is not only a number, but also a homonym for a word that denotes death. Such a sound coincidence creates an association with bad events and misfortunes.
- This symbolism is so ingrained in culture that many Chinese avoid using the number 4 in everyday life. For example, many houses do not have a fourth floor, and apartments and offices often avoid rooms with the number 4.
1.2 Impact on Architecture and Everyday Life
Due to negative associations with the number 4, many examples of how this figure is avoided in various aspects of life can be found in China. For example, many buildings do not have a 4th floor (as in Western culture with number 13), and in house and hotel rooms they often lower or change the numbers associated with the number 4.
- In some cases, Chinese companies and organizations even avoid mentioning the number 4 in their phone numbers, payment details and advertisements.
2. Numbers and their symbolic significance in Chinese culture
2.1 Number 8 as a symbol of luck
Interestingly, in Chinese culture there is also the opposite symbolism associated with numbers. For example, the Chinese consider the number 8 especially successful, since it sounds like the word prosperity (發, "fa"). This number is often associated with wealth, wealth and fortune. Therefore, in China, you can often find prices and phone numbers in which the numbers 8 are present.
- Unlike number 4, which brings misfortune, number 8 symbolizes success, and many Chinese seek to surround themselves with this number in order to attract positive energy.
2.2 Number 9 and its associations with longevity
It is also worth noting that in Chinese culture, the number 9 is associated with longevity. In Chinese, the word for the number 9 (九, "tszyu") sounds like the word long life (久, "tszyu"). Because of this association, the number 9 is considered particularly positive.
- While the number 4 symbolizes death, the numbers 8 and 9 represent longevity and prosperity, making them particularly important to the Chinese.
3. Superstition and avoidance of the number 4
3.1 Avoidance of number 4 in domestic facilities
Due to its association with death, the number of 4 is often avoided in various aspects of Chinese daily life. Houses and apartments often do not have a 4th floor, and apartments on the 4th floor can be sold at discounts or sold under less favorable conditions.
- In furniture and household items, you can also notice that tables, chairs and decor often do not include elements associated with the number 4, in an attempt to avoid unpleasant associations.
3.2 Change of numbers on signs and numbers
In China, you can often find changes in payment details, phone numbers or addresses in order to avoid the number 4. For example, in some hospitals and hotels, numbers that are associated with luck are selected for happier rooms - for example, 8 or 9.
- Some Chinese are willing to pay more to get a phone number or house with number 8, underscoring the importance of numbers symbolism to them.
4. Number 4 and its place in modern beliefs
4.1 Modern Approaches to Number 4 in China
Despite the lasting influence of these superstitions, today many Chinese with greater openness are among the 4, especially among young people. However, superstitions about the number 4 are still strongly rooted in the older generation and in more conservative sections of society.
- While in large cities the number 4 can be perceived with a lower value, in traditional areas of China it continues to cause great anxiety and is avoided in everyday life.
4.2 The Impact of Globalization on the Perception of Numbers
With globalization and increasing international ties, the Chinese have become more open to various world cultures, and perceptions of numbers are also undergoing changes. In some cases, building management or activities with the number 4 have become less prone to superstition, especially among younger generations who prefer to perceive numbers more rationally.
Conclusion
The number 4 in Chinese culture remains one of the most significant symbols associated with failure and death. This fear of number is the result of deep symbolism and historical superstitions that continue to affect Chinese life in everyday life and culture. At the same time, the Chinese also actively adhere to beliefs about other numbers, such as 8 and 9, which symbolize luck, prosperity and longevity. Superstitions about number 4 show how numbers can play an important role in Chinese culture, defining not only everyday behavior, but also deeply affecting the perception of the world.
1. The symbolism of the number 4 in Chinese culture
1.1 The sound of the number 4 and its association with death
The main reason that the Chinese are afraid of the number 4 lies in the sound similarity between the number 4 (四, "c" or "sy") and the word death (死, "sy"). In Chinese, c is not only a number, but also a homonym for a word that denotes death. Such a sound coincidence creates an association with bad events and misfortunes.
- This symbolism is so ingrained in culture that many Chinese avoid using the number 4 in everyday life. For example, many houses do not have a fourth floor, and apartments and offices often avoid rooms with the number 4.
1.2 Impact on Architecture and Everyday Life
Due to negative associations with the number 4, many examples of how this figure is avoided in various aspects of life can be found in China. For example, many buildings do not have a 4th floor (as in Western culture with number 13), and in house and hotel rooms they often lower or change the numbers associated with the number 4.
- In some cases, Chinese companies and organizations even avoid mentioning the number 4 in their phone numbers, payment details and advertisements.
2. Numbers and their symbolic significance in Chinese culture
2.1 Number 8 as a symbol of luck
Interestingly, in Chinese culture there is also the opposite symbolism associated with numbers. For example, the Chinese consider the number 8 especially successful, since it sounds like the word prosperity (發, "fa"). This number is often associated with wealth, wealth and fortune. Therefore, in China, you can often find prices and phone numbers in which the numbers 8 are present.
- Unlike number 4, which brings misfortune, number 8 symbolizes success, and many Chinese seek to surround themselves with this number in order to attract positive energy.
2.2 Number 9 and its associations with longevity
It is also worth noting that in Chinese culture, the number 9 is associated with longevity. In Chinese, the word for the number 9 (九, "tszyu") sounds like the word long life (久, "tszyu"). Because of this association, the number 9 is considered particularly positive.
- While the number 4 symbolizes death, the numbers 8 and 9 represent longevity and prosperity, making them particularly important to the Chinese.
3. Superstition and avoidance of the number 4
3.1 Avoidance of number 4 in domestic facilities
Due to its association with death, the number of 4 is often avoided in various aspects of Chinese daily life. Houses and apartments often do not have a 4th floor, and apartments on the 4th floor can be sold at discounts or sold under less favorable conditions.
- In furniture and household items, you can also notice that tables, chairs and decor often do not include elements associated with the number 4, in an attempt to avoid unpleasant associations.
3.2 Change of numbers on signs and numbers
In China, you can often find changes in payment details, phone numbers or addresses in order to avoid the number 4. For example, in some hospitals and hotels, numbers that are associated with luck are selected for happier rooms - for example, 8 or 9.
- Some Chinese are willing to pay more to get a phone number or house with number 8, underscoring the importance of numbers symbolism to them.
4. Number 4 and its place in modern beliefs
4.1 Modern Approaches to Number 4 in China
Despite the lasting influence of these superstitions, today many Chinese with greater openness are among the 4, especially among young people. However, superstitions about the number 4 are still strongly rooted in the older generation and in more conservative sections of society.
- While in large cities the number 4 can be perceived with a lower value, in traditional areas of China it continues to cause great anxiety and is avoided in everyday life.
4.2 The Impact of Globalization on the Perception of Numbers
With globalization and increasing international ties, the Chinese have become more open to various world cultures, and perceptions of numbers are also undergoing changes. In some cases, building management or activities with the number 4 have become less prone to superstition, especially among younger generations who prefer to perceive numbers more rationally.
Conclusion
The number 4 in Chinese culture remains one of the most significant symbols associated with failure and death. This fear of number is the result of deep symbolism and historical superstitions that continue to affect Chinese life in everyday life and culture. At the same time, the Chinese also actively adhere to beliefs about other numbers, such as 8 and 9, which symbolize luck, prosperity and longevity. Superstitions about number 4 show how numbers can play an important role in Chinese culture, defining not only everyday behavior, but also deeply affecting the perception of the world.