By John Berger

Chinese culture rarely translates neatly, let alone fully, into English, and the relative meaning of numbers is no exception when issues of calligraphy, pronunciation, and 4,500 years of philosophy and literature are factored in.

That rarely stops English speakers from taking a shot at understanding the complexities of numerology, Chinese-style. So here’s an overview of single digits other than lucky 8 and unlucky 4.

Philip T.Y. Wang, director general of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, helped with the explanations.

1

A very good number because it represents “Being unified - having something under one control,” Wang says.

2

Almost always good because of the general belief that good things come in pairs. It is especially auspicious in places where it sounds like the word “easy” in the local dialect. On the other hand, Wang warns, it can also be bad (”It depends on how and where you use it”).

3

Has the parallel meaning of “a lot,” and since it may sound like “life” in some dialects it can also suggest longevity. It is usually a lucky date for a major event such as opening a new business or moving to a new house.

5

Can be associated with the negative “not,” but becomes a positive if combined with another negatives such as 4 or in combinations with additional numbers.

6

Highly auspicious for Chinese for whom the pronunciation is similar to a word that translates as “smooth” or “flowing.” It suggests that plans or projects will go smoothly.

These meanings make 6 almost as popular as 8 for license plates and cell phone numbers. In some dialects, though, it is a sound-alike for words with negative connotations and becomes inauspicious.

7

Doesn’t have the same lucky aura it enjoys in Western culture. The number relates to the story of the weaver and the herd boy, a couple allowed to meet only once a year - or once every millennium, depending on the version. The tale is more tragic than romantic, and therefore unlucky.

The seventh month is also the time in Chinese culture when the spirits of the dead are allowed to move among the living (as the Chinese use two calendars - one solar, one lunar - these calculations are best left to trained professionals).

9

A lucky number because it sounds similar to the word for “long-lasting” (but not in Cantonese, in which the word is said to sound like a regional obscenity). Wang traces the significance to the works of classical Chinese writers and poets, the writings of Confucius, and the I-Ching.

“Nine in China is the most important number because 9 is the highest (not 10). In ancient China when (people) said ‘nine five’ that means you are the emperor - you are Heaven’s son.”

“When people give you good wishes they want you to have nine (of them),” he added. A painting that shows nine fish, for example, can represent wishes for nine-times-longevity.

As for the popularity and “power” of the number: A Hong Kong businessman paid $1.67 million for a license plate bearing the single numeral 9 in 1994.