The concept of Chinese numerology is shared with other cultures and is based on mystical as well as I-Ching traditions. There are many interpretations, many of which have changed over the years. The common premise is that certain numbers are associated with good or evil.
One of the themes that runs throughout Chinese numerology is word play and puns. These happen a lot in the interpretation of Chinese numerology due to the many tones of the Cantonese language. For example, the number two is considered to be fortunate because the word for it is similar to the word for easy. Three is often associated withing giving birth, eight is aligned with prosperity and nine with power or eternity, all due to the names of these numbers being similar to other words.
Combining numbers also leads to puns and references to good luck and prosperity, which are the two issues that are most important for many Cantonese. Many people believe that Chinese numerology means that there are numbers that have good luck. Often times when business owners are considering a name for their restaurant or business, they will create the name based on a number that is associated with luck. For example, many times a business will have the number 6 in the name. This is because six and longevity are tone variations on the same basic word.
In some areas, even the government is aware of the effect of Chinese numerology on its citizens' lives. In fact, in Hong Kong, the government began auctioning off license plates that had the favorable numbers on them. Several million dollars have been raised this way. This phenomena has even traveled stateside. Take a look at how many people of Chinese descent have license plates with the numbers 8 or 9 in them, which represent longevity and prosperity, respectively.
There are many numbers that it's wise to avoid in Chinese numerology. One is considered a lonely number that many choose to avoid. Four and seven both represent death and are typically avoided at all costs. Other numbers are bad luck only when combined with other numbers. Two of the most common surnames in China are Chin and Ng. Chin can mean money while Ng can mean no, or zero. So a man who named Chin who married a woman named Ng would together become Chin-Nig, or No-Money. This is considered a bad omen and can actually prevent marriage.
Chinese numerology is a good way for people to make sense of their names and the numbers around them. Many different cultures have tapped into the power of numbers and the meaning behind them. By understanding what these numbers can mean, and how they can effect our lives, we are able to have a better understanding of the mysteries of the universe and can achieve things we never thought we'd be able to. The key is simply to be open minded and on the look out for numbers that come up regularly in our lives.
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