The numbers 2, 3, 6, and 8 are generally considered to be lucky, while 4 is considered unlucky. These traditions are not unique to Chinese culture, with other countries with a history of Han characters also having similar beliefs stemming from these concepts.
But the number four is considered unlucky because it sounds a lot like the word for “death,” and as a result Chinese buildings often lack a fourth floor (just as American buildings sometimes skip the 13th). Likewise, Chinese drivers avoid license plates ending in four.
4 is the most unlucky number in China.
As well as these general number superstitions, fengshui and the Chinese zodiac dictate different number luck for different places/people.
On the other hand, numbers 4 and 13 are unlucky numbers, according to the principles of Chinese numerology.
9 sounds like a word which means 'long lasting' and 'eternity' in Chinese. The number 9 is welcomed at birthday and wedding celebrations for its representation of longevity.
666 (pinyin: liùliùliù) represents 溜溜溜 (pinyin: liùliùliù); or smooth/slick (comes from Chinese gaming slang, where gamers would put '666' in the chat after seeing another showing an impressive skill)
The Number 7
On one hand, the sound of the Chinese word for 7 (七 qī) corresponds with that of positive words like 齊 (qí; uniform, even), 气 (qì; life force, energy) and 起 (qǐ; to stand up). Seven is thus usually considered a lucky number for relationships.
The number 7 (七, pinyin: qī) in Mandarin sounds like "even" in Mandarin (齊, pinyin: qí), so it is a good number for relationships. It also sounds like "arise" (起, pinyin: qǐ) and "life essence" (氣, pinyin: qì) in Mandarin. Seven can also be considered an unlucky number since the 7th month (July) is a "ghost month".
In Chinese numerology, the number is considered to be lucky and is often displayed in shop windows and neon signs. In China, 666 can mean "everything goes smoothly" (the number six has the same pronunciation as the character 溜, which means "smooth".
📢 When Chinese lucky numbers became slang
As a result, you will see 6 (liù) used online very often. It's become a new Internet slang word meaning “great”. So don't worry if the locals tell you that your Chinese is so “six”. They're just saying it's great!
7 in Chinese Culture. In the traditional Chinese culture, Seven represents the combination of Yin, Yang and Five Elements (Metal, Wood, Water, Fire and Earth). This combination is considered as “harmony” in the ideology of Confucianism.
In Chinese numerology, 888 usually means triple fortune, as a form of strengthening of the digit 8. On its own, the number 8 is often associated with great fortune, wealth and spiritual enlightenment. Hence, 888 is considered triple.
While in Mandarin-speaking regions in China, 14 and 74 are considered more unlucky than the individual 4, because 14 (十四, pinyin: shí sì) sounds like "is dead" (是死, pinyin: shì sǐ) and because in some forms of the language, 1 is pronounced (yao) which sounds like (yào 要), which means will be, when combined, it sounds ...
But: FOUR is a lucky number in Europe, North America and Australia. The FOUR-leaf clover is a symbol of luck.
8 is the luckiest number in Chinese culture because his pronunciation “Ba” sounds similar to the word “fa”, which means to make fortune. The number 8 is associated with wealth, prosperity, success and status and for this reason business men favor it very much.
6 (六, LIÙ) - LUCKY
Many businesses display the number 6 to bring good fortune. Unlike in western culture where 666 is associated with the devil, multiples of 6 is good in Chinese culture. A popular Chinese idiom, 六六大顺 (liù liù dà shùn), means that things will go smoothly.
777 in Chinese means you need to come together with others. The number 7 in Chinese is 七 and means togetherness. Additionally, the number 7 is the combination of Yin and Yang with the elements water, fire, metal, earth, and wood, which give the number a separate meaning of harmony.
Due to these unlucky connotations, the numbers 4 and 9 are often pronounced yon and kyuu instead. The number 13 is occasionally thought of as unlucky, although this is imported from Western culture.
Strengths. Peace of mind and contentment are two positives associated with the angel number 777, said Summers. It also has an intuitive energy. The number is associated with spirituality, more related to getting in touch with your inner self; to raise your own consciousness about what you want and need on your journey.
Numbers considered unlucky: 5 means “not” or “without”” and connotes impossible achievements or goals. 7 sounds like “cheating” in Chinese and it is also often associated with “ghost month” in China.
In Chinese, 零 (líng) means "zero" or "0" in English. It is a numerical digit used to represent the absence of any quantity or number.
Seven is a lucky number in Japan largely because of its significance in Buddhism. Additionally, seven is used with the Seven Gods of Luck (七福神).
Featured throughout the collection are the numbers “8888,” “168,” and “777,” representing fortune, wealth, and prosperity. Giving the gift of Lucky Money is part of a rich tradition celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year, as well as special occasions like weddings, birthdays, and the arrival of new babies.
Number 3 in Chinese Culture
It is believed that groups of 3 in Chinese culture are even luckier. It has a meaning of more than two, many and several. For example, Confucius said: 'Three people are walking together; at least one of them is good enough to be my teacher.
Is number 8 unlucky in numerology? Since the number 8 represents Saturn or Shani, it is often linked with misery and gloom. The number 8 has always been misunderstood and is generally associated with bad luck. However, in Chinese culture, eight is regarded as the luckiest number.