In this article I will briefly try to reveal what significance numbers have in Chinese culture. Numbers have always played an important part in our life. We can’t get by without numbers whether it is telephone numbers, house numbers or pin numbers. People have known to pay top premium to have certain telephone numbers and we also hear of houses that command a high price because of the number and we also hear of houses that take longer to sell because of their number.

Chinese numbers are classified as either Yin number or a Yang number. Yin number is female and a yang number is male. Chinese numbers begin with one and zero is considered too negative to be a starting number.  Numbers are Homonymy that is they are based on sound. Balance of yin and yang gender of the numbers has been deeply rooted in Chinese culture for centuries and maybe taken more seriously.

Odd numbers (1,3,5,7,9) are Yang and Even numbers (2,4,6,8) are Yin.

one sounds like yi and yi means easy and honour respectively. It is the beginning of all things. One is indivisible because it is a perfect entity. It is auspicious in sound and it augurs good fortune. When yi combines with other numbers the resulting number may be very auspicious. 12 is a good number as it sounds like ‘easy to; and when 12 is followed by 8 it sounds like ‘easy to succeed’. 

One and three which is 13 sounds like she sheng (sure to grow). If the number one is followed by 3, 6, 7,8,9 it still sounds good. But 113, 117 and 119 may not be balanced in gender as they are too yang but 113 as still acceptable to businessmen as it sounds like sure to grow. To make it more balanced add a yin number so 1132 (sure to grow and run smoothly), 1136 (sure to make profits), 1138 (sure to prosper).

Two – Er is yin, symmetrical, bilateral and symbolic of two complementary forces, Yin and Yang, Sun and Moon, day and night, man and woman. Also symbolises reinforcement (doubling up). Er in Cantonese is pronounced as Yi which means easy and is therefore popular.

Three - San is Yang. It takes 3 points to create a geometrical shape. In Cantonese it sounds like sheng (growth, alive) therefore regarded as a lucky number.

Four – Wholesome shape such as square or rectangle. Sounds like si in Cantonese which means die therefore is not very popular. It is a yin number and therefore not as popular as a yang number. 14 is a number that needs special mention. 1 sounds as  sure and 4 sounds as die so 14 would sound as sure to die and 1414 would sound as very sure to die. But 1148 is different as it sounds as sure to prosper at the end.

The only time 4 is auspicious is when it is used with 5 or 8. eg. 54 will be shall live forever and will not perish, 48 will be sure to prosper and 84 will be very prosperous or prosperity forever.

But you also have 4 seasons.

Five is a Yang, complete number. You have 5 fingers, 5 organs, 5 elements. It is popular as many auspicious things are classified as wu. It represents the central position, thus indicating that it means balance. But in Cantonese it sounds like nothing. It is auspicious when combined with 20 or 40. So 25 or 45 is yin and yang balance.

And you have the 5 symbolic colours: red, yellow, green, black and white. 5 directions: north, south, east, west and central. 5 metals: gold, silver, bronze, steel and tin. 5 elements: Metal, wood, water, fire and earth.

Six is a Yin number and in Cantonese six is liu which sounds like good luck. Lu the deer has always been a lucky symbol for the Chinese as lui sounds like lu which means auspiciousness.

16, 63, 65 or 67 are all auspicious as it is good balance of yin and yang.

Seven is a Yang number, Days of the week, associated with festivals. It is regarded as an auspicious number as in Cantonese it is similar to the word shi (sure).

Eight Yin sounds like the word fa so it represents good luck. Even though it is a yin number it represents luck to the Cantonese because it sounds like fa (multiply). Then you have the 8 directions, north, south, east, west, north-east, southeast, southwest and north west which appear as trigrams on the ba gua. 

Nine is the last of the Yang numbers. It represents longevity. Phrases and things associated with 9 are mostly auspicious and significant to man. When combined with Yin number it makes the whole number auspicious. 29 is a good balance of yin and yang.

Ten is a yin number and the last of the numbers on the decimal scale, it implies shi chuan or completeness. But it is not particularly auspiciousness as it is yin. It becomes auspicious when combined with 6 or 8, So 16 or 18 are very auspicious as it yin, yang. 16 means sure to be wealthy and 18 is sure to be prosperous.

So if you do have a house or apartment with a number that is inauspicious don’t panic. It is the sound that makes it inauspicious. If you don’t speak Cantonese you don’t have to worry. If you live in a house with the number 4 it is fine. It is not going  to bring you bad luck

There it is the mystery of Chinese numbers and the myths of numbers 4 and 8 demystified. Do write to me on your views about this article and I am happy to help you with specific numbers. I could go on writing about all the numbers but it wouldn’t be relevant to everybody.

If you have any questions feel free to Email