Chinese numerology

Some numbers are believed by some to be auspicious or lucky (吉利, pinyin: jílì; Cantonese Yale: gātleih) or inauspicious or unlucky (不吉, pinyin: bùjí; Cantonese Yale: bātgāt) based on the Chinese word that the number sounds similar to.

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.

The number 1 (一, pinyin: yī; Cantonese Yale: yāt) is neither auspicious nor inauspicious.

'joy'), can be repeated to form the character 囍 (pinyin: shuāng xǐ; Cantonese Yale: sēung héi; lit.

It's significant since it is one of three important stages in a person's life (birth, marriage, and death).On the other hand, number 3 (三,pinyin: sān; Cantonese Yale: sāam) sounds like 散 (pinyin: sàn; Cantonese Yale: saan) which means "to split" or "to separate" or "to part ways" or "to break up with" so it is a bad number too.

While not traditionally considered an unlucky number, 4 has in recent times, gained an association with bad luck because of its pronunciation, predominantly for the Cantonese.

(aka Hing Pang Kiat) (c 1856 - 1930), a prominent Teochew businessman and property developer in Singapore, had specially picked the house number 44 on Emerald Hill, even though he had a choice of house numbers from 38 to 52, from his property developments in Emerald Hill.

[15] There is an exception for the Cantonese with the house number 54, which is considered very lucky as it sounds like 唔死 (m̀ séi) meaning "Will not die and shall live forever".

Buddhism played a significant role in the spread of Chinese characters and culture across the region.

In Japan, the idea that the number 4 was once considered auspicious is documented in the Kojiki, emphasizing its connection to good fortune.

In Korea, Buddhism's influence was more prominent when the religion was first introduced, and in Vietnam, the Sino-Vietnamese pronunciations might have contributed to this superstition.

There is also a visual resemblance between 88 and 囍 (pinyin: shuāng xǐ; Cantonese Yale: sēung héi; lit.

'double joy'), a popular decorative design composed of two stylized characters 喜 (pinyin: xǐ; Cantonese Yale: héi; lit.

Also, the number 9 sounds like "long lasting" (久, pinyin: jiǔ; Cantonese Yale: gáu), so it is often used in weddings.