When traveling in China, you might notice that buildings skip the fourth floor, or phone numbers shy away from the number 4. What makes this number so special—and sometimes avoided—in Chinese culture? The answer lies in language, tradition, and deep-rooted beliefs. In this article, we’ll explore the history behind the number 4, its unique pronunciation, and how it shapes everyday life and customs. Curious why a single digit can carry so much meaning?
Read on to uncover the fascinating story behind the number 4 in China!
The Number 4 in Chinese Culture: Origins, Symbolism, and Modern Impact
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Chinese culture is rich with numbers imbued with deep symbolic meaning. Among them, the number 4 stands out—not for bringing fortune, but for its association with bad luck and death. From avoiding certain floor numbers to impacting business decisions, the story of the number 4 offers a fascinating window into how language, tradition, and superstition intertwine in modern Chinese life. In this article, we’ll unravel the intricate layers behind the reputation of the number 4 in Chinese culture, exploring its history, daily significance, and ever-evolving role.
The Historical Origin of 4’s Unlucky Reputation
The Power of Language and Homophones
The auspicious or inauspicious status of Chinese numbers often comes down to how they sound. The number 4, pronounced as “sì” in Mandarin, is a near homophone for the word “death,” pronounced “sǐ.” While the two are written differently, their similar sounds have tightly bound one’s fate to the other in the Chinese imagination.
This linguistic coincidence isn’t unique to Mandarin. In Cantonese, Shanghainese, and many other regional Chinese dialects, the word for four and the word for death also closely resemble each other in pronunciation. This has solidified 4’s reputation across China and in many East Asian cultures influenced by Chinese language and customs.
Ancient Roots and the Evolution of Belief
While modern interpretations of the number 4 focus on superstition, in ancient times, numbers in general—including four—were also valued for representing balance and the elements (like the four directions or four seasons). Over centuries, however, the phonetic association with death became the dominant force shaping attitudes toward 4.
The Symbolism of the Number 4 in Chinese Culture
Symbol of Bad Luck and Misfortune
Due to its sound, 4 is considered the most inauspicious number in Chinese culture, much like the number 13 in Western societies. This association primarily manifests as a fear of misfortune, illness, or even death lurking where the number appears. It evokes uneasiness, especially when it comes to matters of health, family, or personal safety.
Cultural Taboo: Tetraphobia
The fear or avoidance of the number 4, known as “tetraphobia,” is deeply ingrained. While it may not influence every decision in every part of China, the belief is widespread enough to affect architecture, business, and personal choices.
Contradictory Views: Balance and the Four Seasons
Despite its ominous reputation, four is not always negative. The number also represents natural harmony and completeness: four seasons, four directions, and four phases of the moon. In certain ancient traditions and some philosophical or religious contexts, 4 holds a neutral or even positive meaning.
The Number 4 in Chinese Traditions and Daily Life
Superstition in Public Life
The impact of 4’s reputation can be seen everywhere. Many buildings—especially hospitals, hotels, and modern high-rises—avoid giving floors the number 4. Elevators might skip directly from the third to the fifth floor, and sometimes 14, 24, and other numbers containing a 4 are left out as well. License plates, identification numbers, and phone numbers containing the digit 4 are often considered less desirable. This aversion can range from simple avoidance to outright refusal to buy property or vehicles associated with the number.
Funerals and Significant Occasions
The number 4 is especially taboo at funerals or when giving gifts related to health and longevity. Gift sets containing four items are generally avoided unless carefully explained, for fear of sending unintended, ominous wishes.
Business Decisions and Popular Culture
Commercial ventures, too, pay heed to tetraphobia. Real estate developers avoid numbering houses with lots of 4s, and telephone companies may sell numbers with multiple 4s at a discount—or avoid handing them out entirely. In contrast, numbers like 8 (associated with wealth) fetch premium prices.
Daily Language and Habits
In casual communication, people sometimes avoid mentioning the number 4, switching to indirect ways of expressing quantities or addresses whenever possible, especially among the superstitious or the elderly.
Variations and Regional Differences
In Greater China and Beyond
Tetraphobia is most common in mainland China but is also widespread in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore. In Japan and Korea, where Chinese characters have strong cultural influence, similar beliefs exist, sometimes alongside homegrown superstitions.
Generational Shifts
Younger Chinese generations, especially in cosmopolitan cities, may view 4 with less fear. However, tradition still holds sway in family and business, where showing respect for elders’ beliefs remains important.
The Other Side: When Four Can Be Positive
Cultural and Religious Contexts
In some settings, the number 4 symbolizes wholeness and inclusion: the four cardinal directions, four noble truths in Buddhism, or the four notable festivals in the traditional lunar calendar.
Proverbs and Idioms
Chinese proverbs often use groups of four characters, known as “chéngyǔ,” to encapsulate wisdom. In this context, the number 4 reflects balance and completion, not misfortune.
Popular Sayings
Phrases like “四季发财” (sì jì fā cái, “prosperity through all four seasons”) use the number without negative connotation, focusing on positive, cyclical aspects of nature and life.
Modern Relevance and the Enduring Power of 4
Real Estate and Social Trends
Despite rapid modernization, the tradition of avoiding 4 remains strong in real estate and commercial settings. Apartments and offices free of the digit 4 may command higher prices, and companies must factor in such cultural preferences when planning products and services.
Pop Culture and Satire
Television, movies, and online humor sometimes poke fun at tetraphobia. Some entrepreneurs deliberately embrace 4 in product branding as an act of rebellion or differentiation, appealing to young people who are less influenced by traditional superstitions.
Reflection of Values
The persistent avoidance of 4 speaks to a profound respect for tradition and family values in Chinese society. Even those who are not personally superstitious may avoid 4 to avoid offending relatives or business partners, showing that social harmony remains a key value.
Interesting Facts and Anecdotes
- Hotels and high-rise buildings in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan sometimes do not have a 4th, 14th, or even 40th floor.
- In 2003, a Hong Kong property with a street number containing several 4s sold well below the market average.
- Many Chinese people will pay extra to get phone numbers or car plates devoid of the digit 4.
- The Beijing Olympic Games began at 8:08 pm on 8/8/2008, highlighting the preference for auspicious numbers like 8 (prosperity) over unlucky ones like 4.
- Some mobile apps in China offer filters to help users avoid combinations with 4s when generating IDs or usernames.
Conclusion
The number 4 may appear simple and harmless, but in Chinese culture, it carries powerful associations that persist to this day. Rooted in the quirks of language, shaped by centuries of custom, and kept alive by habits both old and new, the value—and risk—of 4 extends beyond calculation. Whether you find its reputation fascinating or perplexing, understanding the story of the number 4 gives you deeper insight into the everyday choices, traditions, and beliefs that shape Chinese society.
FAQ
1. Why is the number 4 considered unlucky in Chinese culture?
The number 4 is considered unlucky because its pronunciation—”sì” in Mandarin—is similar to the word for “death,” “sǐ.” This linguistic resemblance links the number with death and misfortune.
2. How does the fear of the number 4 affect daily life in China?
People often avoid using the number 4 in phone numbers, license plates, and addresses. Buildings may skip the 4th floor or other floor numbers containing 4, especially in hospitals, hotels, and residential complexes.
3. Is the number 4 ever considered positive in Chinese culture?
Yes, in certain contexts, 4 can symbolize completeness, such as in references to the four seasons or four directions. In proverbs and idioms, groups of four may represent balance or wholeness.
4. What is “tetraphobia”?
Tetraphobia is the specific fear or aversion to the number 4, especially because of its association with death in Chinese and other East Asian cultures.
5. Do all Chinese people believe that 4 is unlucky?
Beliefs can vary by region, generation, and personal mindset. Urban youth and those with international influence may be less superstitious, but the tradition remains widely observed, especially out of respect for elders or during important events.
6. Are there similar superstitions in other countries?
Yes. Japan and Korea also have beliefs associating the number 4 with death due to similar linguistic reasons, and similar avoidance is observed in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and among overseas Chinese communities.
7. How do businesses deal with the superstition around 4?
Many businesses avoid using the number 4 in product naming, pricing, addresses, and marketing. Real estate developers often exclude 4 from floor numbers; phone and car plate numbers with 4 may be offered at discounted prices.
8. Can giving gifts in sets of four be offensive?
Yes, giving gifts in multiples of four is generally avoided, especially at significant events or to elders, as it can unintentionally suggest bad luck or wishing misfortune.
9. Are there any famous stories or events involving the number 4?
One well-known example is how buildings in China often skip the 4th or even all floors containing the number 4. It’s also common knowledge that auspicious events—like the Beijing Olympics—are purposefully planned to avoid unlucky numbers like 4.
10. How is the perception of the number 4 changing in modern times?
While superstition around 4 is less intense among younger generations, the tradition continues in business and family decisions. Many people choose to honor the belief to show respect or for peace of mind, ensuring that tetraphobia remains a living cultural phenomenon.
