Deciphering the Meaning of Chinese Numbers
Many Chinese customs are centered around the belief in the power of certain numbers, and the superstitions surrounding digits in Chinese culture only takes second fiddle to the role of specific foods. The pronunciation of these numbers also reflects the Chinese’s affinity with homonyms, where many digits are considered lucky or unlucky based on words that sound similar. This in turn, affects the entire Chinese economy, since folks here will not buy anything without careful consideration of the numerals involved.
Because of the auspiciousness of certain numbers, Chinese will often pay large sums for phone numbers, street addresses, residence floors, driver’s license numbers, license plate numbers and bank account digits. For example, a personal license plate with the number eight can cost millions of dollars.
Lucky Numbers
The number 2 (ar in phonetic English) is a positive number to Chinese people. There’s a Chinese saying: “Good things come in pairs.” It’s common throughout the Middle Kingdom to see double symbols in product brand names, which means double happiness and double value. When Chinese exchange oranges during the Lunar New Year, they exchange two, four, or eight at a time.
The number 6, pronounced leo, sounds like the word used for “slippery,” which implies that everything will go smoothly. 666 is considered one of the luckiest numbers of all; it’s displayed prominently in shop windows across the entire country, and people often pay extra to get a mobile phone number including this string of digits. In Guangzhou, a motorcycle license plate numbered AW666 was sold for 270,000. RMB, (roughly $34,000. USD)!
The number 8 in Mandarin is pronounced bah, which sounds similar to fah, meaning prosperity and good fortune. If you’ve been to China, you’ve probably noticed the unusual frequency of this esteemed digit used in the phone numbers of hotels, airlines and most major businesses. Telecommunication companies and car registration authorities charge extra for each number 8. For example, the Holiday Inn Crowne Plaza in Shanghai has the phone number 6252-8888. Northwest Airline’s number is 6279-8088; China Travel Services is 6247-8888.
In Chengdu, China, the telephone number 8888-8888 was sold for $270,000. USD. The Summer Olympics in Beijing are scheduled to open 8/8/08, at 8 P.M.
The number 9, pronounce jeo, is also a homonym for the word “everlasting.” To the Chinese, it signifies friendship, love, and long life.
The Unluckiest Number
Number 4 (sih) sounds like the word “death,” and is therefore considered a bad omen. Many numbered product lines skip the 4, e.g. Nokia cell phones do not have a series beginning with a 4, and most residential buildings skip all numbers with 4, e.g. 4, 14, 24, 34, and 40 - 49 floors. The airlines, trains and buses all bypass this unfortunate number.
Number 14, pronounced shir sih, sounds like “ten die.” But it can also be said as ee sih, literally “one-four.” Another common way to say one, is yaow. Thus, 14 can be said as yaow sih, literally meaning: “want to die.” Not a favorite!
Lastly, research has revealed that more Chinese are likely to die from heart attacks or heart disease on the fourth of the month, obviously due to the superstition related stress evoked by the unlucky number, which in turn, triggers cardiac deaths.
Well, I’ve covered the basics in lucky and unlucky numbers, but like most things in China, numbers and their meanings are extremely deep-rooted, with many nuances and complexities involved. Consider this a quick crash course. Chinese numerology dates back to the first century A.D. when Emperor Fu His discovered a tortoise shell said to contain a magic number square, which led to the development of I Ching, Feng Shui, Nine Star Ki, geomancy, and Chinese astrology and numerology. Volumes could be written on the subject, and I’ll leave that to the mystics and academies.
Timothy Green is the co-author of SPEAK E-Z CHINESE In Phonetic English. You can find fun and easy Mandarin lessons, as well as travel and culture tips about China at http://www/CathayCafe/com.
The Power of Open Communication
A relationship without open communication will inevitably give way to deception. There is no grey area. It is better to hurt another with open communication than to betray with deception. You will find that even the act of open communication prevents deeds that would normally be performed under the veil of dishonesty.
A relationship is a gentle lowering of individuality or Ego. A free flow of ideas, perceptions even insecurities should come to the surface and be discussed. In the ideal environment, no taboo or perceived craziness is outside the limit of open discussion. All taboos are society’s programming anyway- which is far from open at the present time. Even governments and companies have not recognized the power of open communication with their people.
To suddenly start being open after a long period of hiding is far more difficult than being open on a regular basis. But inevitably this line has to be crossed, and accepted. An environment suitable for revealing all is the first stage of open communication. Both parties must be willing to hear anything and refrain from allowing their Ego to jump into the fray; to judge, feel hurt or angry.
Next comes regularity. At first the impulse to be dishonest “in order to protect someone” will be strong. This is the first stage of dishonesty that is justified has being beneficial to the other person. Slowly this nurtures roots of deeper deception. If the root is cut while it is young and even little white lies are absorbed by the light of open communication - no lie can ever grow.
Does this mean one can share all thoughts, all ideas, or beliefs with anyone? It should. For now you’d get locked up or thrown into an institution as a madman. But there will come a time when society’s contract with dishonesty and illusion gives way to a deeper understanding of open communication. In the meantime there can be a selective agreement of open communication between a single couple, a single family, a single company and it’s employees, between a single government and it’s people before finally the whole world accepts the idea as norm.
Everyone may not like the idea at first, preferring to hang on to the perceived power that comes through lying. It is they who will prefer to go to war when the truth has been set free. Granted, there is a fine line between loose lips that sink ships and open communication in the spirit of greater love between two enlightened individuals. Open communication does not mean running the mouth like a loose cannon. It means selectively choosing your words in a way that will bring about greater harmony between yourself and another party. And avoiding the acts that would disrupt that harmony whenever possible. And in the rare cases where a controversial decision must be made in haste and a decision was made in error, it can quickly be discussed, accepted and learned from.
Most great tragedies begin with a small deception that gets cultivated over time. If you can learn to be open even when on the surface it appears that it will not serve you, over time you become the person that can always be depended on for the truth. And because the truth is a power sought from the depths of every Soul- anyone who possesses it will hold a position of great power. Respected, admired and even revered for their sincerity, and openness even in times when the truth is unpopular and their name risks being tarnished- they rise above the primitive contract of society and peer into a new world waiting on the horizon.
James Rick Stinson 23 year old author of Garden of Life, avid meditator and personal development coach. A young entrepreneur currently running a business overseas in the Philippines. For more- http://www.jamesrick.com/blog
It’s Fantastic to be Single
Generally, society make us think that being single is being doomed or, an unwanted situation for a low self esteem nerd, or judge you with “you-must-have-a-problem” label if you are not in a relationship. We imagine that we are automatically miserable if we hop into single hood.
Think again!
Here is a refresher on the advantages of being single:
You can take a nap. A power nap!
You can watch TV and at the same time, listen to the radio
You can snooze as much as you want the wakeup alarm
You can use all of the hot water. It’s all yours.
No gifts to buy for the In-laws at Christmas
You have sole proprietorship of the remote control.
You can quit your job now, go home, relax and enjoy.
You’re clothes are always intact coming out of the laundry
On Saturdays, you decide at what time you leave the house to do the errands
Being quiet can be so much fun
When a Hot Cutie asks you “Are you single?”, you don’t feel pressured to lie
You can stay a little bit later at work with no guilt or pressure
You can leave for a last minute vacation with a buddy
You sleep better - Snore as loud as you want.
Your worst argument will be “Cereals or Take Out tonight?”
When taking money out of the banking machine, you won’t have to justify it to the “Home Head Committee”
The bathroom is all yours - 24 hours a day!
You can repeat that favorite song over and over and over again. Only the neighbors will go crazy.
Frank or Lisa can come over. Nobody will complain.
You will not hear “Geese… you’re grumpy this morning!”
You can watch TV night until your morning newspaper arrives
You can wash the dishes when you feel motivated
No worrying on “Do you love me”?
Always have a fresh exciting dating life
….. maybe Singles should feel sorry for all of those unhappy married people. After all, why be miserable when you can be happy?
Go on and be fantastically and happily Single.
Who is Caroline? She is a growing expert on love, relationship, romance because she is reading a lot on the subject. She is gladly sharing her knowledge and experience. To receive tips you can subscribe free to her newsletter at http://www.everydaybetterliving.com
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