Chinese Numerology

One of the cultures where there is popular use of numerology is that of the Chinese. Chinese numerology has a different set of meanings attached to each number. In Chinese numerology, some numbers are considered to be luckier than others. Even numbers are usually considered luckier than odd numbers, owing to the Chinese belief that good luck usually comes in pairs.

Cantonese assign the unique meanings to numbers, which are usually different from those assigned by other Chinese groups. Cantonese defines 1 as “sure”; 2 as “easy”; 3 as “live”; 4 as "unlucky" since it has the same sound as the word for “death” or “suffering”; 5 as “self”, “never”, or “nothing”; 6 as “easy or smooth; 7 as a vulgar word; 8 as “prosperity” or “sudden fortune”, and 9 as a “long time.”

Chinese numerology also considers some number combinations as lucky, using the numbers or digits that are considered luckier than others. Number 99, for example, denotes eternity or something eternal, because 9, which is doubled here, means a “long time.” Number 168, on the other hand, pertains to prosperity whether prosperity together or the road of prosperity. Number 518, however, means “I will prosper.” This number can also be appended with 9 to denote “I will prosper for a long time.” Changing the combination to 516289 changes the meaning to “I will get on a long, smooth prosperous road.” Numbers 814 and 148 means “I will be wealthy my whole life.” A triple 8 means triple prosperity, and 1314 means existence or a whole lifetime.

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