Learning Chinese requires understanding the basics of the language, which includes numbers. However, these numbers have deeper representations that will give you a glimpse of China’s rich culture and history.
In Chinese culture, numbers can be associated with fortune, prosperity, wealth, and even misfortune. You’ll be fascinated with the abundance of meaning in Chinese numerology when learning the culture of China in contrast to Western culture.
These lucky numbers in China date back to the early years of ancient Chinese history up to its progress to modern society. On your journey towards learning the culture of China, you’ll encounter the constant appearance of lucky numbers and unlucky numbers that represent Chinese people’s superstitious beliefs.
Chinese hom*ophones play a huge role in identifying which numbers are considered lucky and unlucky. For that reason, a few numbers with similar pronunciation to words that connotates auspicious meanings are considered to bring luck and fortune.
If you’re interested in learning more about the significance of lucky numbers in China, read on to discover what numbers are considered lucky and what combinations represent best wishes.
Is Number 13 (十三) a lucky number?
If you’ve heard about the number 13 as an unlucky number in Western culture, it’s quite the opposite for the Chinese people.
You may have noticed that some businesses opt to skip the number 13 as odd numbers tend to have negative connotations in Western culture. Some even argue that when 1 and 3 are added, it results in the dreaded number 4, which means “death” in Chinese.
Even so, the number 13 is not to be considered unlucky because, in Chinese Mandarin, the number 13 translates to ‘assured growth’ or ‘definitely vibrant,’ which goes to show that the number 13 is an auspicious number in Chinese culture.
If this is the close definition of the number 12 in Chinese, then how can the number 13 be an unlucky number?
Other Chinese Lucky Numbers
Number 8 (八)
Ever wondered why the Chinese people have high regard for the number 8? Have you noticed the constant appearance of the number 8 for good luck in businesses?
Well, the number 8 is the luckiest number among Chinese zodiac lucky numbers that bring good fortune and prosperity.
In the Chinese language, eight is pronounced ‘ba,’ and it sounds closely to ‘fa,’ which translates to the traditional character ‘facai,’ meaning ‘to prosper.’
Among the lucky numbers in China, Chinese people tend to take great lengths to get hold of the number 8 to bring good feng shui in their business, relationships, career, and more!
For example, the 2008 Summer Olympics began on 8/8/08 at 8 minutes and 8 seconds past8 pmChina time. A Chinese phone number ending in five 8s drew over 5,000 bids which reached $325,000 for its lucky status symbol in China.
Be sure to look out for the number 8 since you’ll encounter more of the luckiest number because of their abundance in day-to-day life in the Chinese culture that brings good luck and prosperity.
Number 2 (二)
Another addition to the Chinese zodiac lucky numbers is the smallest even number 2.
The number 2 is pronounced as’ er’ or ‘liang’ in Chinese—this number represents the good fortune because Chinese people believe that ‘good things come in pairs.’
Lucky number 2 reflects the Chinese culture’s recognition of the importance of harmony and balance with close relation to the two features of yin and yang.
You may notice some items or ornaments in China that are set out in pairs to represent harmony, and some businesses even use repeated characters to bring good fortune.
Number 6 (六)
The number 6 is considered lucky for the Chinese people because 6 in Mandarin Chinese sounds like ‘liú,’ which translates to ‘flow’ to depict smooth progress in life.
In contrast to Western beliefs, 666 is associated with the devil, but in Chinese culture, multiples of 6 are good for prosperity and business growth. Several businesses follow the depiction of luck in feng shui, so they display the number 6 or incorporate six elements to invite great fortune and wealth.
On top of that, the Six Arts of Ancient China formed the basis of education in Chinese culture. The Six Arts comprises six disciplines from Confucian philosophy: rites, music, archery, charioteering, literacy, and numeracy.
Number 9 (九)
Among these Chinese numbers, the lucky number 9 stands out for its interrelatedness towards longevity. Pronunciations in Mandarin Chinese contribute to the meaning of the lucky numbers.
For this instance, number 9 sounds like ‘jiǔ,’ which is interpreted as “long-lasting” and “eternity” in Chinese culture.
In the traditional Chinese culture, you will notice the nine dragons embedded in the emperor’s robes. It is a sacred number of the Chinese emperor to represent their supreme sovereignty in connection with the Legend of the 9 Dragons.
Another meaningful example is the construction of ancient Chinese structures is based on the number 9, like the world-famous Forbidden City in Beijing, which is believed to have 9,999 rooms.
The lucky number 9 is also relevant in ghost festival offerings to symbolize the realms of heaven, earth, and the underworld. Chinese people offer three bowls of rice, three sets of chopsticks, and three cups of Chinese tea or rice wine.
Chinese Lucky Numbers Combination
1988
Chinese lucky number combinations are widely used in China to express best wishes and good luck in day-to-day conversations.
One of the popular combinations of numbers in China is 1988; the number 19 means “forever,” and the famous lucky number 8 brings fortune and prosperity.
The addition of 19 may be inconspicuous and unusual for some.
Still, this number is surprisingly a purveyor of fortune and best wishes to those who believe in it, especially if combined with the lucky numbers 88.
1366
Numbers in China have similarities with meaningful characters that create the representation of promising numbers to attract prosperity and luck in life. The number 13 is an example of this phenomenon because 13 sounds like “a whole life” or “forever” in Chinese. On the other hand, six is similar to the word ‘flow.’
If you are used to the Western beliefs, you may be fazed with the combination of 1366 because of its close similarity to the unlucky numbers 13 and 666. But in the Chinese culture, there’s nothing to worry about because it represents one’s wishes for a smooth flow in life.
1314 & 3344
These number combinations may raise questions for some because the number 4 is considered the unluckiest number in Chinese because of its grim correlation to death.
If you are wondering why the number 4 belonged to the unlucky numbers in China, it is because the number 4 is pronounced as ‘séi,’ which is hom*ophonous to the word “death.”
It is also common among other East Asian nations to avoid unlucky numbers like 4, some even opt-out of the number 4 in any given situation to avoid bad luck.
But the lucky number combinations 1314 and 3344 is common among lovers because 1314 is pronounced as ‘yi yan yi si’ and 3344 ‘san san si si,’ which sounds similar to ‘yi sheng yi shi’ and ‘sheng sheng shi shi’ that means ‘a whole life’ or ‘forever.’
1314 and 3344 represent the lover’s own lucky numbers that symbolize their unconditional love for each other that lasts a lifetime.
366, 666, 888 & 1666
If you have noticed the abundance of 8s and 6s among other lucky numbers in the Chinese culture, it is because these numbers generally reflect one’s wishes for fortune and prosperity.
The number combination mostly consists of 6s and 8s to double or even triple one’s wishes for someone to prosper and have a smooth journey in life.
For example, the Chinese lunar calendar determines the awaited Chinese New Year. This celebration consists of giving out Red Envelopes where the elders put in 366, 666, 888, or 1666 amounts of cash to bless the younger generation with a smooth journey in life.
The symbolism of Numbers in Chinese Culture
Chinese numerology can be quite different for people who grew familiar with Western beliefs, but this set of beliefs represents the rich culture and fascinating history of the Chinese people. As you delve deeper into the richness of Chinese culture, you’ll notice the amplitude of numerical elements on a day-to-day basis.
Lucky numbers and their combinations are of great importance in China, and these symbolize the Chinese people’s beliefs in the great power of attraction to alter a person’s luck or fate.
The fondness of Chinese people for the lucky numbers represents the Chinese culture in both traditional and modern cultures. Superstitious beliefs thrive up to the modern-day in many cultures of the world because people don’t have control over the course of life, which is why these lucky numbers remain relevant in Chinese culture.
They consider these lucky numbers in regular choices in life, whether it is about trying to get plate numbers with the lucky numbers, deciding on a date for special occasions, gift-giving, decorating, and a lot more.
Despite the fast-changing and developing societies in the world, superstitions like the lucky numbers remain relevant because they allow a ray of hope to shine among the unpredictability of life.
