Mathematical manipulations with numbers underlie the numerological schools of the West and East. The knowledge about secret predictions using numbers, which our ancestors used in the distant past, was transformed into a system much later. Attempts to unite various schools into a single system have shown that there are significant differences between the existing numerological schools of the Western and Eastern directions.
Basic numerological systems
Western numerology system
This is the system of numerology we use today; it was formed by Pythagoras (Pythagorean numerology) - the founder of the Pythagorean school. During the Middle Ages, his system of numerology somewhat lost its original essence and was used more as entertainment among the nobility. Its revival occurred relatively recently - just a couple of centuries ago, but today Pythagorean numerology is considered one of the main ones in the world and is quite widespread.
Eastern numerological system
The Eastern school has been steadily popular since its inception. This is due to the uniqueness of the culture and traditions of the East, and the attitude of the people living in eastern countries towards them. The numerology of India and China has become more widespread in this direction.
The Indian (or Hindu) school of numerology is also called Vedic, although it has little connection with the Vedas themselves (the great scriptures). In the teachings of Ayurveda, there is a direct connection between a prime number and the corresponding disease of the human system.
The Chinese numerological system differs significantly from the Hindu one. Firstly, she gives her own definition to prime numbers, counts numbers differently and interprets their combinations differently. It is noteworthy that the Chinese today widely practice this system in everyday life, living based on a system of “successful” or “unlucky” numbers and their combinations.
It is worth considering the Chinese school in more detail to understand what principle underlies its definition of numbers and interpretation of their combinations.
Features of Chinese numerology
The history of Chinese numerology goes back more than one millennium; it was founded in ancient times, and during its formation it took on various designations and forms. It is based on a symbiosis of ancient Chinese philosophy, astrology and knowledge about numbers and numbers.
Attitude to numbers
In Ancient China, the sages believed that the world was governed by three principles - luminaries, stars and numbers, indivisible and in constant interaction, the number 12 was endowed with a special meaning. It was the basis of ancient numerology in China - 12 basic numerological numbers, the same number of animals (patrons of the planets in the Chinese calendar), the same number of moons per year, etc.
In a later period, it was replaced by the number 10, where each unit was given symbolism tied to one of the elements. Chinese numerology is closely related to the art of Feng Shui, which developed in parallel; both systems have much in common regarding numbers, their use, definition and interpretation.
Each number is associated with a specific element of nature, while the elements are correlated with the numbers, completely repeating their arrangement and order in Feng Shui
Chinese numerology harmoniously combines mathematical and astrological knowledge and philosophy. In it, a series of prime numbers is divided into male and female numbers, which is associated with ancient philosophy and the doctrine of light and darkness (we know it as “Yin” and “Yang”). In this regard, every odd number in a series of prime numbers is male, and every even number is female.
The concept of "energy"
Everything in the world has an inherent energy - a kind of internal force that can influence the world around us. Being non-material, it is precisely this that underlies the movement of all processes associated with living/non-living objects. Through the same energy, all living things can sense the world at the level of the senses, and a person is able to sense what is happening around him figuratively and through the prism of special feelings (bliss, compassion, love, happiness, etc.). Powerful spiritual energy, filling a person’s soul, endows him with special secret knowledge, which is the key to a deeper understanding of the world and all its important processes.
Pythagorean, Indian and Chinese numerology considers all fate numbers as the main characteristic of a person. In Chinese numerology, numbers are also endowed with energy, which manifests itself in the form of pure vibration; any such number is considered “living” and has a unique energy that guides a person through life. According to her rules, numbers cannot be positive or negative, they only carry a specific type of energy that can change fate.
The energy of some numbers is aimed at filling something, renewing it, while the energy of other numbers empties, exhausts something. When doing fortune telling, the Chinese also use a system of numerology similar to the European one, but they attach a special meaning to the essence of each number and endow it with additional properties. In order to fully decipher the meaning of a number and its influence on a person’s fate and life, it is necessary to use a special Chinese calculation system, known in the Feng Shui system as the “Lo Shu” square. With its help, you can determine not only the primary elements, but also their interaction and influence on each other.
Meaning of numbers
Sometimes the Chinese use simplified meanings of numbers, which are similar in interpretation to numbers in European numerology. But even in this case, they correspond to certain elements and their own patron planets.
Number 1
Taoists highly reverence the unit, seeing in it the Great Origin of everything. In fortune telling, it means the birth of children. Homonyms for the unit are the words “win” and “honor”. Association with the plant: Spruce is a slow-growing, but strong, hard tree with healing and beneficial properties.
Unit is the powerful energy of the Sun, instantly charging and filling all living things. This should be taken into account by those who have “1” equal to the Number of Destiny or Life, since they are susceptible to moral and mental overstrain and the appearance of sudden aggression and pain syndromes.
Number 2
Two carries the energy of the Moon, which exposes a person to doubts and endows him with indecision. A person with a two in the Number of Destiny often finds himself in difficult and ambiguous situations, which require him to make a specific choice “between”.
It is a symbol of mutual complementation, unity, struggle and connection of opposites. In fortune telling it means the younger generation and a favorable environment for the development and growth of something; the card itself in the layout means “offspring”.
Plant association: straight and strong Bamboo is a fast-growing plant with beneficial properties that are widely used by humans. Homonyms for two are the words “easy”, “quick”.
Number 3
The energy of Jupiter promotes love and the development of magical abilities in a person, like “1”, the three is a symbol of the beginning and creative development. Three in the Number of Destiny for a person means that others may perceive him as a mysterious and enigmatic person. Three connects the real world with the otherworldly. Trinity philosophy:
- three principles (heaven/earth/man);
- three light sources (Sun/Stars/Moon);
- three religions (Buddhism/Taoism/Confucianism);
- the triple basis of the family (husband, wife, child), etc.,
is quite widespread and in demand in the philosophy of modern China.
In fortune telling, “3” is access to high society (hat) and knowledge of the world (window).
Association with fire, capable of creation and destruction. A homonym for two is the word “growth.”
Number 4
This is the number of rationality and fidelity, it is stable and constant, providing balance (for the world). The uniqueness of the four: covering space and every facet of an object, it is able to identify and determine its shape. Philosophy “4” is relevant in China:
- mythical principles (Sun/Earth/Sky/Moon),
- seasons (4 seasons),
- symbolic animals (White Tiger, Azure Dragon, Black Turtle, Red Bird),
- mythical creatures (Dragon/Phoenix/Pangolin/Unicorn),
- virtues (shame/justice/temperance/education/decency),
- light sources (Moon/Stars/Planets/Sun).
In fortune telling, the number four denotes an official, an officer, success and growth in a career, a positive outlook in an endeavor, and the opportunity to achieve a high position in society.
The word “lamp” is considered a homonym for the four.
Number 5
The number “5” symbolizes perfection, ideal, power, and has the energy of creativity and search. It gives a person the intention to strive for the highest, for perfection, and contributes to the generation of wars. Five is a very revered number; many dogmas and tenets of Chinese philosophy, religion, and culture are associated with it.
In fortune telling, this is “Emperor”; the number promises maximum and rapid success, growth, and development. In China, they believe that the number “5” is located in the center of the number series and controls it. The homonym for five is the neutral word “nothing.”
Number 6
This is an ordinary (service) number in Chinese numerology, symbolizing some stability that comes after the heyday, exaltation and success of the five. Six opens all directions - all (four) cardinal directions, nadir, zenith, symbolizes stability and interconnection of many phenomena, as well as the possibility of change.
The energy of the “animal nature” is inherent in the Six; it reveals the instincts necessary for a living organism to survive. At the same time, as a number symbolizing a hardworking person, it is capable of endowing him with the necessary strength and energy for the development of natural inclinations.
In fortune telling, “6” means “flaw”, “flaw”, “weakness”. A homonym for number is the word “wealth.”
Number 7
The number “7” symbolizes spiritual perfection, the desire for the Higher Mind, it is the number of forward movement, which does not allow one to stagnate. In Chinese numerology, as in Chinese astrology, “7” is an important number, denoting lunar stations on each side of the world, planetary cycles (7 in total), seven calendar days, five major planets and 2 lunar nodes (or 2 luminaries), as well as many other religious and philosophical provisions. However, in Chinese numerology it rarely carries a key meaning. Even during the period of Ancient China, the Chinese stopped using the septenary week, and this number itself was rarely used in everyday life. Balancing between Light and Darkness in the duodecimal cycle, seven signifies “Balance.” A homonym for “7” is the word “for sure.”
Number 8
The number “8” means “Infinity”, is highly revered in China, and is endowed with many religious and philosophical symbols. It stabilizes any energy, keeping it unchanged. This number is characteristic of people who are sensible, prudent and rational. In the material plane, it reflects the strength of connections and relationships, material wealth.
In fortune telling, the number eight is interpreted as “the completion of all affairs”, “death”, “final”, and this process can be characterized by both a positive and a negative sign. A homonym for the number “8” is the word “prosperity”.
Number 9
Possessing the energy of Mars, the number “9” carries indomitable energy and endows all living things with it, ensuring swiftness in achieving goals, drive and determination. With its help, spiritual insight is possible, it allows you to control emotions, fears and madness.
In Chinese numerology, nine is an important number, endowed with many symbols and concepts. For many centuries, forecasts for the state were compiled using three nines:
- Nine Heavens in Buddhism;
- Nine stars in the constellation Ursa Major;
- Nine planets.
At the same time, these three nines were a symbol of the union between Earth and Heaven and meant the highest (divine) wisdom, which is available to some people. The number “9” in modern Chinese numerology means “stability after eight” and allows you to control the forces of nature. The number is endowed with many philosophical concepts and dogmas of a religious nature.
In fortune telling, “9” means “grave” and is interpreted as the completion of affairs, the cessation of movements and development. A homonym for “9” is the word “longevity”.
Number 10
The number “10” is a service number, used in the decimal cycle to count monthly decades (previously in China, the 7-ary week was practically not used; the days were 60-day periods of 10 days each.).
In fortune telling, “10” symbolizes the end of everything, the dead lost souls who are undergoing purification through Hell and have not yet achieved enlightenment. By the way, in Buddhism Hell has 10 divisions.
Number 11
Number 12
Number 13
Pythagorean, Indian and Chinese numerology interprets fate numbers differently, although in some cases their interpretations may coincide in key aspects. Numerology opens up unique opportunities to understand the world and oneself, as well as other people and the relationships between them. The Chinese numerological system is complex and very multifaceted, since each number in it corresponds not only to a unique interpretation, but also to many different provisions, postulates and dogmas of a cultural, philosophical, astrological and religious nature.
The Chinese teaching of Feng Shui originated about a thousand years ago. “Fen” means “wind” and “shui” means “water”. The ancient inhabitants of the Celestial Empire noticed that the world around us and the elements generate vital energy, on which human life largely depends. The study of the laws of nature has led to the accumulation of great experience and knowledge for their further use in everyday life.
In the philosophy of Feng Shui, great importance is attached to numerology and the influence of numbers on human life.
This destination is very popular in China. Let's try to understand in more detail the intricacies of this science.
In the understanding of many traditional cultures, numbers have always possessed certain magical powers that can influence the fate of a person and the world around him. Knowledge about numbers helped ancient people build harmonious relationships among themselves and with nature, build cities and their homes, etc. For example, the imperial palace in Beijing was built in accordance with the teachings of Feng Shui about numbers, using the principle. And when laying the foundations of ancient Chinese temples, a combination of numbers 3 and 9 was often used.
Interpretation of numbers in Chinese numerology
According to the eastern art of Feng Shui, all numbers can be divided into favorable (lucky) and unfavorable (unlucky) numbers. Numbers related to positive Yang energy are believed to bring happiness and good fortune. In China, they include all odd numbers. At that time, even numbers of Yin energy have the opposite effect, bringing negativity and unhappiness. Despite this, the use of knowledge of numerology involves the mutual use of both numbers, since by violating the harmony between these two energies, by giving preference only to a series of Yang numbers, you can only harm yourself.
The interpretation of numbers in China can be quite varied. It is common among people to determine the influence of certain numbers by their sound (the meaning of homonyms). What does this or that number mean?
- 1 – honor, gain;
- 2 – lightness;
- 3 – rise, development;
- 4 – death;
- 5 – emptiness, nothingness;
- 6 – prosperity, wealth;
- 7 – for sure;
- 8 – well-being, prosperity;
- 9 – longevity.
According to this teaching, any object that has an unfavorable combination of numbers carries the same information. So, for example, a house or apartment numbered 24 in the ancient Chinese sense will not be successful when sold, as it stands for “easy death.” At the same time, if an object, be it real estate or a car, has a slightly different combination of numbers, then the symbolic meaning will also change in accordance with the sound of homonyms. Let’s say the owner of a car with number 289 must be successful and prosperous, since the combination of a car number will mean “easy prosperity and longevity.”
Having an idea about, a person can independently make a forecast for himself or his loved ones. A similar prediction can be made by the number of the apartment, car or office where the person works.
You can enhance the beneficial effects of numbers using certain methods. For example, you can achieve prosperity and success in business by arranging the digits of your office number diagonally from bottom to top. The only exceptions are those numbers that end with the number 4. The fact is that 4 in its meaning represents “limitation” and “slow development”. Therefore, to balance this energy, the number should be positioned exactly horizontally.
In many Chinese and European stores, the numbers on the price tags end in eight or nine, rather than the zero that our citizens are accustomed to. This is very justified from a Feng Shui point of view. Since these numbers are considered lucky and favorable. The Cantonese dialect, for example, by eight means the concept of “jewel,” and nine in its meaning is understood as prosperity and harmony of Earth and Heaven, and also has magical properties.
The Chinese people attach great practical importance to the meanings of Feng Shui numbers. This knowledge is applied everywhere, even to the point of being ridiculous. Many people try to change their phone number or house number in accordance with Feng Shui, which ends in four. Homonymically, the four means “death.” Therefore, many people contact telephone companies with a request to change their number and receive a positive decision. They also accommodate those who wish to change the number of a house or apartment containing a four to a more favorable one. To do this, they often add the letter component “B” to the number, which resembles a lucky eight in its outline.
It is very noteworthy that one wealthy citizen paid a tidy sum of 650 thousand dollars for the lucky license plate “8”, put up at auction in Hong Kong. This record is still considered unsurpassed in the famous Guinness Book of Records. Such auctions have been held since 1988 by the Hong Kong Transport Authority and are wildly popular. The funds received as a result of auctions go to charitable purposes, and the right to a lucky number is assigned to the buyer for life, transferring to the rights of another only after the death of the previous owner.
The use of lucky numbers in the hotel and advertising business is developing very successfully. So, for example, to book room 28 on the same floor of the hotel, you need to worry about this in advance, paying a lot of money. In advertising projects, sometimes it gets ridiculous: they try to use lucky numbers along with color, even in the number of strokes when writing hieroglyphs on a sign.
Understanding numbers in Western and Eastern cultures
Numerical symbolism and its influence on life in China can be seen everywhere and is an integral part of Chinese national culture. The use of Feng Shui numbers in choosing significant or important dates, when buying real estate, cars in other areas of life is becoming an increasingly popular and sought-after direction. Moreover, they try to use Chinese numerology even in construction, determining the proportions of rooms.
In the Western understanding of numerology, numbers have meaning only in the final result when adding all the numbers and reducing them to a single digit number. Let's say car number 234 is converted to 9 by arithmetic addition (2+3+4). In Eastern cultures, a number acquires symbolic meaning on its own, without the use of additional calculations.
To summarize, we can conclude that we, sometimes without noticing it ourselves, connect our lives with certain numbers that influence our destiny. Knowing the subtleties of Feng Shui, you can significantly improve the life of both yourself and your loved ones.
The Chinese have an ancient belief that some numbers can bring happiness and good luck, while others are full of negative energy. Good or bad luck is explained by the sound of numbers in Chinese.
Yin and Yang
Even and odd numbers
It is believed that even numbers are used to depict and preserve yang (masculine) energy, which is active. Odd numbers are identified with yin (feminine energy). It is considered passive and the opposite of yang. The two energies combine to accumulate chi energy.
Definition of Chinese lucky numbers
The way to recognize lucky and unlucky numbers was developed in Chinese culture based on the sound of numbers. Three of the most auspicious Chinese numbers are considered to be six, eight and nine, although the latter is odd.
Gifts with numbers
Numbers play an extremely important role when choosing a gift in China. When it comes to gift giving, the Chinese are again guided by the choice of a specific number.
Number two: luck in love
Two is a number that symbolizes the unification of yin and yang energies. When these two opposing energies are balanced, understanding is achieved. Thus, the second number means union, which creates harmony. In accordance with this philosophy, the Chinese decorate a wedding with paired items such as candles, pillows, rings, gifts and other attributes. According to legend, this custom brings good luck.
In the practice of Feng Shui, placing paired objects or paintings attracts the luck that number two can bring you. To ensure a happy marriage, couples are advised to place two tangerines in the master bedroom. For a couple seeking to have children, the number two plays an important role in feng shui applications.
A couple of photos of pomegranates, which are considered lucky fruits, will bring good luck to married people trying to conceive.
Another lucky object for a married couple is the dragon. It is recommended to install statues or hang two paintings of dragons at the head of the bed to activate procreation.
Number four: an unlucky number symbolizing death
In Chinese culture, almost all numbers are considered auspicious, with the exception of four. There are many reasons to designate numbers as lucky or unlucky. In the case of number four, everything is explained quite simply: the name of the number itself is similar to the Chinese word for death. Therefore, the number four is considered to have the same energy and properties.
If you live in house number 4 or your family consists of four people, then Feng Shui practice advises drawing a circle around the house number so that the number transforms in a circle.
Number six
The number six can help a person move calmly through life and overcome any obstacles. There are six objects you can use to ensure your success in navigating dangerous waters. Six Chinese coins are often tied together with a red ribbon and symbolize the prosperity of the home. Sometimes they are stored inside the wallet to ensure the receipt of funds.
Number eight
Interestingly, the number eight symbolizes infinity and is considered fateful. Many people use the number eight in different areas of life to attract good luck. Some people draw a figure eight and carry it in their wallets to attract financial success.
Odd numbers can be lucky
While odd numbers are not considered lucky, this does not mean that they are always unlucky. Odd numbers are associated with certain negative emotions.
Number seven
For example, seven is a number associated with rejection and anger. It can also symbolize separation. It all depends on how and where it is interpreted.
Number nine
Nine is an odd number, which often has positive energy. The number nine is also identified with eternity and long life. It depends on how it is used and in what context it is applied.
In ancient China, the number nine was associated with the imperial court. In the imperial palace you can find nine dragon walls. In the Imperial Palace building in Beijing you will see 9999 rooms.
Modern Chinese still use lucky numbers. It is no coincidence that when the venue for the Olympic Games was China, the date chosen for the start of sports competitions was 08.08.2008, and for the start time of the games - 8:08:08 P.M.
Last time I talked about the number 9, which is considered very successful, but the Chinese consider 8 to be an equally good number. In the mass consciousness of the Chinese, eight ranks even higher than nine.
Associations and their reasons
It is believed that the words 'eight' (read as 'ba' with a muted 'b' sound) and 'wealth' (read as 'fa') are very similar. It is believed that it is for this reason that the number 8 is associated with prosperity and wealth. This is written on all sites on the Internet and in many encyclopedias.
But those readers who are familiar with China feel that the theory is ridiculous. Chinese numerology is not based on phonetic similarities. Its roots are in ancient Chinese philosophy!
Of course, the reasons are different. In China, odd numbers are associated with the masculine principle of Yang. Even numbers with the feminine principle Yin. I think that all readers have heard something about the philosophy of ‘Yin and Yang’.
Just as nine is the highest masculine number, eight is the highest feminine number. This is the peak of the main qualities of the feminine. Number 8 is the highest fertility. China has always been an agricultural society, and for a farming society, the concepts of 'fertility' and 'wealth' are identical.
This is where the role of eight as the number of wealth, prosperity and prosperity comes from.
Sights of China – where you can meet 8
The Chinese firmly believe in the magic of numbers, but, fortunately, they do not build temples for them. Although, if you remember the number nine, then Beijing itself can be considered a temple of this number, where the number nine is found everywhere - from the rivets on the gates to the number of animal figures on the roof. Similarly, in nine, it is present everywhere.
In China you can find a famous building dedicated to the number 8. It is located in. This is a skyscraper (Golden Prosperity Tower). It has an octagonal base, the base of the structure is eight pillars, the building has 88 floors, and so on.
There is another interesting mention of the eight in Beijing. Here is the famous bridge with 17 arches. The number 17 is the sum of 8 and 9. This is exactly what the architects intended - to combine the two most successful numbers in Chinese numerology in one place.
Number 8 among ordinary Chinese
It is very prestigious to have an eight in your phone or home number. To get a license plate, even with one number eight, you need to pay extra. In 2003, an unknown Chinese person sold a local city number consisting entirely of eights to Sichuan Airlines. The price was 2.33 million.
Two eights is even better. The European spelling of the number '88' is very similar to 'Shuan Xi'.
‘Shuan Xi’ is two characters for ‘happiness’, which translates to ‘double happiness’ or ‘great happiness’. These hieroglyphs are very popular; they are written on any objects in order to increase sales. There is even a popular brand with this name.
My Beijing phone number ends in 4 - a common thing, in general. That’s why for a long time I couldn’t understand why my Chinese acquaintances raised their eyebrows in surprise when they wrote it down. Having lived here, you learn a lot of interesting things, and now I know for sure: the Chinese will do everything possible to avoid such a number. The explanation may seem strange to us, but not to an Eastern person, who has his own rules and relationships with the outside world.
The number 4 – si – sounds the same as “death” in Chinese and is considered an unlucky number. Recently in Beijing, even Hospital No. 4 was renamed because patients categorically refused to be treated in a place with such a “deadly” name. But the combination of numbers 1, 6 and 8, on the contrary, must definitely bring good luck. “Yao”, “leu”, “ba” sounds like “yaoleufa”, which means “straight road to prosperity”.
Every culture has its own good or bad signs: in our country, for example, seven is considered lucky, but many people feel uncomfortable about the number 13. 666 is a biblical satanic number, but I have seen these three numbers written in large letters on buildings in Beijing and Shanghai several times. Here, six, eight and nine (“jiou” pronounced identically to the word denoting longevity) are considered lucky and, for example, mobile phone numbers that consist of such numbers are sold at a higher price than usual.
Mobile phones in China are sold separately, and their numbers are sold separately, and the business brings in good income. For example, in Beijing, a phone that ends with the most unpopular number 4 costs $4.88, and for a number with four eights at the end you need to pay $2,198, and if you want five nines, it will cost at least $9,768.
Zhou Liwei, a business consultant working in Beijing, paid $40 for a number with two sixes: “A good number gives a good feeling. People respect you more if they understand that you can afford such things."
For his birthday, businessman Li Songwei in the city of Xiamen was given a mobile phone number by his friends, which consisted of five eights and two nines. It cost the donors a tidy sum of $2,500, and Lee immediately became a local celebrity: he was interviewed, invited to join various clubs and, of course, offered big money for reselling the number.
Chinese numerology is based on the Taoist tradition, reflected in the great “Book of Changes”, I Ching. It is believed that odd numbers symbolize the masculine yang, and even numbers symbolize the feminine yin.
Zero symbolizes nothingness, completeness and God. It has no beginning and no end, it is endless and is indicated by a circle.
One portends honor, leadership and consistency in development.
Two means doubling, it is the number of cooperation, the balance between two opposites - yin and yang, man and woman. A popular Chinese proverb says that “happiness comes in twos.” At wedding ceremonies there is always a place for the hieroglyph that means “double happiness.”
Three makes everything possible, it is the number of luck and success, and also a special spiritual number. The book of the I Ching says that the three unites heaven, earth and man. When the Chinese bow at Buddhist temples with smoldering incense sticks, they always do so three times.
Four is the number of material order. Its geometric appearance symbolizes the physical world, the square base the earth, and the round roof the sky. They believe that this strengthens earthly and heavenly balance.
Five is a very popular number in Chinese culture because it occupies a central place (from 1 to 9), reflecting the five philosophical elements - water, metal, wood, fire and earth. It is also associated with five blessings - longevity, prosperity, health, love for a virtuous life and natural death.
Six sounds similar to “prosperity” and is therefore considered very auspicious.
Seven is a universally good number, not only the West, but also China is fascinated by this number, which sounds similar to “confidence”. Buddhists believe in seven reincarnations and seven weeks of mourning after death.
Eight is similar to "multiply" in Chinese and means abundance. Geometrically, it is an octagon, two intertwining squares or eight trigrams (bagua). The Book of Changes is a very auspicious shape that is often used in feng shui for protection.
Nine is the best of all numbers because it contains the characteristics of all of them. It is complete in itself and does not need any other number to be perfect. Nine is the last, final stage of everything, fullness. The ancient Chinese believed that nine was the largest number available to man, and 10 and above belonged to heaven. Therefore, it is not surprising that nine was considered the imperial number. If nine embroidered dragons were found on the clothes of any courtier, then he was sentenced to death along with his family and relatives. The country consisted of nine provinces, in the Beijing Imperial Palace there were 9999 rooms, the lines of rivets on each door were drawn up in such a way that no matter what line you take, vertical or horizontal, the number of rivets in it is always 9.
Not only the Chinese have their own games with numbers. The ancient Greek mathematician and philosopher Pythagoras is considered the founding father of European numerology. He believed that the greatest musical choir was the basis of the harmony of all things in space. People, alas, do not hear the music of the planets, but nevertheless function as part of a harmonious whole. According to Pythagoras, music is a series of vibrations. From this universal choir, he built a bridge to the number and proclaimed that “numbers lie at the basis of everything that exists” and also vibrate – like notes. And a person’s character is determined by the vibration that was at the moment of his birth.
“Fateful” can be not only the number that is given for life from birth. Everyone can determine their own lucky number, either by intuitive feeling or by observation, with which they are always lucky or on which something significant always falls in life. For example, Leo Tolstoy was sure that the number 28 played the greatest role in his destiny. Born on August 28, 1828, his son Sergei was born on the 28th. When I was looking for examples for my work “What is Art,” I chose poems by French poets from various collections, published on page 28. For the hero of the novel “Resurrection,” Nekhlyudov set April 28 as the date of rebirth. Left Yasnaya Polyana on October 28.
How to calculate your number? Add up all the dates of birth and bring them to one by addition. For example, date of birth June 27, 1988: 2+7+6+1+9+8+8=41, 4+1=5. Five will be your primary life number.
A few are strong-willed, resilient, independent, always ready for battle.
Twos are altruists, they bring peace and tranquility to the earth, they are wise and firm in their decisions.
Threes are talented but impatient, passionate idealists yet practical.
Fours strive for power, are persistent, natural leaders, tenacious, balanced and honest.
Conflict Fives, at odds with the present, are forever striving forward. They are strong, brave and energetic.
Sixes are balanced, pleasant to talk to, reliable and cheerful.
Sevens simply have to win. They have a rich imagination, strong intuition and a penchant for analytical thinking.
Eights are organized and decisive, have the gift of persuasion and always have a huge influence on others.
Nines gravitate towards creative work, they have a strong will and firmness of conviction.
This is probably one of those rare cases when “six” does not sound offensive, but rather the opposite.
Inessa Pleskachevskaya
SB correspondent in China
- Chisinau city
According to statistics, 4% of Chinese believe in Christ, Buddha, Confucius; 2% - in Allah, the rest are officially considered atheists, but they all believe in numbers.
As you know, Russians hold the lucky number seven and the devil's dozen in high esteem. Russians do not like the number 666, the unlucky 13 and the derogatory six. Although, day by day, we pay less and less attention to this.
The Chinese, on the contrary, attach great importance to numbers. This manifests itself on almost every corner, in every elevator, in every entrance.
The most unloved number in China is 4. In elevators, for example, there is often no button for the fourth floor, but simply written: 1, 2, 3, 5A, 5 B. In hospitals, the number 4 in the 14th room is sealed and the letter F is written. In the building where the RG correspondent lives there are apartments 503 and 505, but there is simply no apartment with number 504. This dislike of the Chinese for the number 4 is explained quite simply: the number 4 and the word “death,” although they are written differently, sound the same: “sy.”
The Chinese hold the numbers 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 in high esteem. Moreover, the more of them, the better. That is why cigarettes “555”, the network of slot machines “777”, and the gold brand “999.9” are in demand. The number 66 in China does not mean the devil, but the highest authority - heaven.
Besides the fact that numbers in China are important, they are also expensive. If, for example, you want to purchase a car license plate consisting of a series of honorary numbers, then you will have to fork out quite a round sum.
But not everyone buys a car, but every Chinese has a cell phone. But not every Chinese has a number that he would like to have, as it is sometimes quite expensive. An ordinary ordinary number, consisting of a chaotic set of numbers, costs about 5-10 dollars, but numbers that are called “selected numbers”, such as 13811388888, 13718222222,13552399999, 13439000000, 13717638888, 13718833333, 1369 3227777, 13699169999, 13716099999, cost up to $20,000! Moreover, the last two have already been sold. They are bought mainly as gifts for respectable people.
Especially in car and telephone numbers, it is prestigious to have several eights, since “eight” sounds like “ba”, which is consonant with the word “get rich”, which sounds like “fa”. Three eights “ba-ba-ba” mean the same as “fa-fa-fa”: prosperity. This is shown by a Chinese person who has them on his car license plate or in his phone number and managed to pay for it.
The Chinese also attach special significance to the fact that the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing will begin on August 8 at 8 pm. Three eights are a symbol of prosperity.
The Chinese also respect our dislike of the number 13. Knowing that we endow this number with devilish properties, they often remove it in places where foreign guests gather. So, for example, in the building where the Press Center for Foreign Journalists is located in Beijing there is no 13th floor, but there are floors 12 and 12 A.
In the 29-story CITIC building, where a large number of foreign representative offices are located, including the US-China Business Council, Uzbekistan Airlines, a representative office of Baltika Brewing Company OJSC, there is no button for the 13th floor. This is what Wu Xinfeng, manager of the CITIC Group property management company, told me about this.
The building is aimed at renting premises to foreign companies. Isn't the number 13 bad for you? That's why we don't have a 13th floor in the elevator. Of course, in reality it exists, but it is called 14. Therefore, in fact, the building is not 16 storeys, as it might seem from the sign, but 15 storeys. In our internal documents, of course, there is a 13th floor, but there is no 16th. We don’t have any special regulatory documents on this matter in China, we just know that you don’t like this figure. This is done at the stage of ordering elevators from the China Corporation - Schindler Elevator.
One Russian sinologist, noticing that at Shanghai Pudong Airport there is a passport control counter No. 4, but no counter No. 13, turned to the airport employee with the following question:
- How can it be, because the number 4 is unlucky, but it exists. And 13 doesn’t have any meaning for you, but it doesn’t exist?
“Of course,” the worker answered. – The number 4 is not lucky in China. But the airport is international.
If the number 4 can still be seen in China, there is one number that should never be spoken out loud. This is 250. The history of this figure is as follows.
In ancient times, one of the officials stood out for his literacy and efficiency. The envious people could not forgive him for this and sent a hired killer. Dying, the official said to his emperor:
- I will teach you how to find my killers. You announce that I was a very bad official and that the murderer did a good deed by ridding the country of me. And then announce to him a reward of 1000 lians of silver.
The Emperor did just that. After which 4 different people came for the reward, each of whom called himself a killer. The emperor ordered everyone to give a quarter of the reward - 250 lians - and to execute all four.
Traitors, deceivers and 30 silversmiths are not liked in Russia either.
Natalya Ufimtseva, Beijing
- Chisinau city
Just two days ago, millions of people around the world tied the knot. And all because it was an unusual day, and July 7, 2007. “Wedding boom” – this is how hundreds of print and online publications dubbed this date. Increased interest in this date was caused by the combination of three sevens. As the newlyweds themselves believe, if you legalize your relationship on the 7th day, 7th month and 7th year, then family life will be especially successful. On July 7, China was also gripped by “wedding fever.” It is worth noting that in China such a phenomenon could be observed a year ago, when the calendar showed 06/06/2006, which cannot be said about our country, where the number “6” is considered unlucky.
In today's program, I, the presenter Maria Syabrenko, would like to tell you, dear friends, about the magic of numbers in China. After all, probably in no other country in the world do they believe in the magic of numbers as much as in China.
The Chinese attach great importance to numbers, although there are people who do not believe in the magic of numbers at all. So, let's start not with the luckiest number. Popularly, the unluckiest number in China is four. The fact is that the number 4 - "sy" - sounds the same in Chinese as the word "death", and therefore is considered "unlucky". In Beijing, even Hospital No. 4 was renamed because some patients categorically refused to be treated in such a “deadly” medical institution. Moreover, almost all hospitals do not have a fourth floor, i.e. Of course there is such a floor, but it is usually called 3 “a”. In most new buildings, you will also not find floors whose serial number ends in four. The Chinese also respect our unloved number 13. Knowing that Europeans endow this number with devilish properties, they often remove it in places where foreigners gather. So in many international shopping centers and office buildings in the elevator, after the 12th floor button, the 15th floor goes immediately.
The Chinese hold the numbers 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 in high esteem, and the more of them, the better. For example, the combination of numbers “1”, “6” and “8”, according to the Chinese, should certainly bring good luck. “1”, “6”, “8” sounds like “yaoliuba”, which means “direct road to prosperity”. In China, "eight" is consonant with the word "fa", which means "wealth", and "nine" - "jiu" is pronounced identically to the word meaning longevity. Mobile phone numbers that consist of these “lucky” numbers, according to the Chinese, are also considered lucky. The same applies to car numbers.
As my Chinese colleagues told me, Chinese numerology is based on the Taoist tradition, reflected in the “Book of Changes” - the I Ching. It is believed that odd numbers symbolize the masculine "yang", and even numbers symbolize the feminine "yin".
“Zero” symbolizes “nothingness”, and at the same time it is “completeness” and “eternity”. It has no beginning and no end, zero is infinite. “One” portends honor, leadership and consistency in development. "Two" means doubling, it is the number of cooperation, the balance between two opposites - "yin" and "yang", man and woman. A popular Chinese proverb says that “happiness is always twofold.” At wedding ceremonies you can always see a hieroglyph that means “double happiness.” But let's return to unusual dates.
Astrologers say that July 7 was a completely ordinary day. There was nothing unique about the arrangement of the planets. Moreover, July 7 was considered an unfavorable day for registering documents and concluding contracts, including marriages. But whether you should believe horoscopes is up to you to decide, dear friends. And all those who did not have time to register their marriage on July 7 according to the Gregorian calendar can do so on the 7th day of the 7th month according to the lunar calendar. It was on this day, i.e. On August 19, China will celebrate the Qixie holiday - Valentine's Day. Well, for everyone who is not in a hurry to get married this year, I can offer another, even happier date (from the Chinese point of view, of course), but only in a year - 08.08.2008!!! At 8 pm on August 8, 2008, the 29th Summer Olympic Games will open in Beijing.
Yes, and I almost forgot. China's dialing code is "086". Perhaps it is these numbers that bring good luck to all of China and its inhabitants.
The “luckiness” of a number in the Chinese popular consciousness is determined by its consonance with any word. For example, the number 4 sounds similar to the word “die” (without taking into account the tone), which gave rise to a superstition in the countries of the Far East, similar to our fear of the number 13. Thus, in many hotels and hospitals you will not find rooms with the number 4, and sometimes even 4 th floor.
The number 8, a symbol of wealth and prosperity, holds the top spot among “lucky” numbers in China. The fact is that the pronunciation of the number 8 is similar to the pronunciation of the word, which together with the word “wealth” means “to get rich.” This superstition is so popular that it is not neglected even at the official level. Suffice it to remember that the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics was scheduled for 08/08/08, 8 pm 8 minutes and 8 seconds.
Another “auspicious” number is 6. In Cantonese, 6 sounds like “salary, good wishes for career growth.” 9 is a homophone of the word “long, eternal”, and therefore is considered a good symbol that can be successfully used at a wedding and in business negotiations. True, you need to be especially careful with the numbers 7 and 9, otherwise an unpleasant story may turn out. The thing is that in Hong Kong they sound like a harsh curse word />
By the way, numbers are pronounced differently in different Chinese dialects. Therefore, digital symbolism, like superstitions, may differ from one region of China to another.
Truly, the Chinese imagination in handling numbers knows no bounds! The game of homophones has become so popular among young people that it has given rise to an incredible number of digital abbreviations, built by analogy with the English B2B and 4U. But the Chinese have gone further: they manage to encrypt entire sentences with numbers!
How? Here's how. The sound of some Chinese words actually matches the pronunciation of numbers. But for a language game, partial homonymy is enough - the coincidence of only a few initial sounds of the encrypted word with the sound of the number replacing it. At first glance, it seems that these rules are too vague and as a result, no one will guess what they are talking about. But in fact, the meaning of the entire expression can be understood from the context.
Some especially popular abbreviations have already become entrenched in the language, or at least in youth and Internet slang. Here are the most popular correspondences between number and word:
0 (líng) is a common abbreviation for nín (respectful "you"). Although it can only sound like this when there is a nasal tone or a severe runny nose />
1 (- yī) - is also used in the direct sense as “one” or “all, entirely.” But in addition, when reading numbers, one is read as yāo, which sounds like the word “must, need, want” (yào).
2 (èr) - in Cantonese it sounds similar to the word - “easy”.
3 (sān) - in Cantonese, similar in sound to the word - "to be born, to appear", also used as an abbreviation for any word starting with s.
4 (sì) is a homophone of the word “to die”.
5 (wǔ) is a homophone of the word “I” (wú), “not to have” (wú) and the word “no” in prohibitions (wù).
6 (liù) – sounds similar to the word “to flow”, and in certain dialects it is a homophone of the word “to fall”, “road” or “salary”. An abbreviation of any word beginning with the sound l.
7 (qī) - replaces words starting with q. For example, “to rise” (qǐ) or “to get angry” (qì).
8 (bā) is a homophone of the word "get rich", as well as a contraction of any word beginning with the sound b, such as negation.
9 (jiǔ) - similar in sound to the word “long”. Can be used as an abbreviation for any word starting with j.
Now, armed with this knowledge, you can try to decipher the following popular number acronyms yourself:
A) good wishes 168
b) curse 5104
c) a squabble between two lovers via SMS: 07456 and response 8137
Ekaterina Manicheva
Technology Development Department
Based on materials from the ABBYY Lingvo team blog
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