Did you know that some buildings in China skip the fourth floor, jumping straight from three to five? The number 4 holds a special—and often unsettling—place in Chinese culture. But why does a single digit spark such strong feelings? In this article, we’ll uncover the fascinating history and meaning behind the number 4 in China. From superstitions to everyday life, discover how this simple number shapes beliefs—and even architecture. Read on to unlock the story behind 4!
The Power—and Peril—of 4: Exploring the Meaning of the Number 4 in Chinese Culture
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Numbers can be more than just symbols for counting—they often tell stories, evoke emotions, and shape our daily lives. In Chinese culture, few numbers stir as much superstition and conversation as the enigmatic number 4. Its reputation stretches across languages, traditions, and even modern daily habits, giving this otherwise ordinary digit a mythical status.
Let’s dive into the fascinating world of the number 4 in Chinese culture: its origins, its symbolism, how it shows up in everything from architecture to phone numbers, and why some people avoid it at all costs.
The Origins of 4’s Unfortunate Reputation
The Power of Sound: Linguistic Superstition
The root of the number 4’s reputation lies in an iconic feature of Chinese languages: many words can sound the same but have totally different meanings depending on tone or context.
In Mandarin (the most widely spoken Chinese language), the word for the number four is sì (四), while the word for “death” is sǐ (死). In Cantonese, another major Chinese language, they sound even closer. This resemblance in pronunciation between “four” and “death” gives the number an intensely inauspicious character.
This connection is so powerful that it’s sometimes referred to as tetraphobia—a fear or avoidance of the number four.
Historical Roots
This phonetic association is not a recent development. For centuries, the similarity has influenced traditional customs, rituals, and systems of belief. Classical texts and superstitions intertwined the number with themes of endings and mortality, locking its meaning deep into Chinese consciousness.
Symbolism and Cultural Meaning
Death and Misfortune
Because of its linguistic similarity to the word for death, the number 4 is seen as a symbol of misfortune, disaster, and endings. This brings about a sense of unease in situations where luck or auspiciousness is valued—such as weddings, births, and business decisions.
Stability and Structure: The Other Side of Four
Yet, not every context paints 4 in a negative light. In traditional philosophy, the number four also stands for completeness and balance:
- Four Seasons: Spring, summer, autumn, and winter divide the year.
- Four Directions: North, south, east, and west.
- Four Corners: Square objects symbolize stability and harmony in ancient Chinese architecture and garden design.
In these situations, four can evoke steadiness, wholeness, and order—showing that the number’s symbolism is layered, rather than purely negative.
4 in Daily Life: Superstition and Avoidance
Home Addresses and Phone Numbers
If you’ve ever tried house-hunting in a Chinese city, you may notice something odd: buildings sometimes skip floor numbers containing 4, such as the 4th, 14th, or 24th floor. The same pattern appears in hospitals, hotels, and office buildings—much like some Western buildings skip the 13th floor due to superstition.
When picking a phone number or license plate, many Chinese people will pay extra to avoid any combination that includes the number four. A phone number ending in 4444 is considered extremely unlucky and is very difficult to sell.
Hospitals and Hotels
In settings associated with health or rest, the presence of the number 4 is seen as especially troublesome. Hospital rooms, for example, rarely use the number 4, and sometimes even its multiples. Hotels may avoid rooms or floors numbered 4 as well, especially when catering to local guests.
Gifts and Celebrations
Giving gifts in sets of four is considered highly inappropriate, especially for important occasions like weddings and birthdays, as it can be seen as wishing bad luck or even an untimely end to the recipient.
Rituals, Festivals, and Traditions: 4 at the Margins
While the number 4 shapes traditions by absence or avoidance, it seldom takes center stage in celebrations or rituals. Most notable Chinese festivals and holidays lean heavily instead on auspicious numbers, such as:
- Eight (8): Due to its similarity with the word for prosperity.
- Nine (9): Symbolizing longevity.
The avoidance of four, however, demonstrates its strong grip on the cultural imagination: you are unlikely to see four candles on a cake or four items presented at a formal celebration.
Variations and Regional Differences
Across Dialects and Cultures
While Mandarin and Cantonese both link “four” with “death,” the intensity of the superstition varies by region. In southern Chinese dialects, such as Cantonese and Hokkien, the overlap is even more pronounced, so avoidance of the number is more deeply ingrained.
Neighboring Countries
This number taboo is not exclusive to China. Parts of Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, and Vietnam—areas where Chinese linguistic or cultural influence is strong—share similar aversions to the number four for the same phonetic reason.
Contrasting Number Symbolism: Four Versus Other Numbers
Eight: The Auspicious Counterpart
Number eight, pronounced “bā” in Mandarin, sounds similar to the word for “prosperity” and is sought after in all forms—addresses, phone numbers, and significant dates.
Six and Nine
Other numbers carry their own symbolic weight:
- Six (liù): Sounds like “smooth” or “flow,” considered lucky for a smooth life.
- Nine (jiǔ): Sounds like “long-lasting,” linked to longevity.
The sharp contrast with four’s negative reputation makes it even more remarkable. In cases where people can choose, preference for lucky numbers (“eight”) and avoidance of unlucky numbers (“four”) become cultural habits.
Four in Traditional Belief Systems
Feng Shui and Numerology
Feng Shui, the practice of harmonizing spaces with natural energy, usually considers even numbers as favorable for balance. However, the singular negative symbolism attached to four often outweighs this general rule, especially in modern practice.
Literature, Myths, and Legends
While some old texts reference “four” in positive ways, such as the Four Noble Truths in Buddhism or the Four Symbols in ancient mythology (representing four celestial animals and directions), these refer to the concept of completeness more than the number itself.
Still, these examples show four’s double-edged reputation: a number that stands at the crossroads of symbolism, shifting between stability and misfortune.
Modern Attitudes: Superstition Meets Urban Life
Does the Fear Persist?
In today’s rapidly changing China, attitudes are shifting. Many young urbanites and educated people recognize that the fear of four is rooted in old superstitions. Some choose to pay no heed to it at all, especially when living abroad.
That said, tradition remains powerful, particularly in business or major life events where “luck” is highly valued. Companies and individuals still often avoid important announcements or product launches on the 4th of the month, for example.
Practical Implications
Because of public aversion:
- Properties and phone numbers containing the number 4 may be less expensive or harder to sell.
- Businesses may see a negative reaction if they use the number four heavily in branding.
However, there is also a growing trend among some people, especially outside mainland China, to “reclaim” the number four, emphasizing its qualities of balance, order, or harmony instead.
Interesting Facts and Anecdotes
- In major Chinese cities, high-rise buildings commonly jump from the 3rd to the 5th floor on elevator buttons, or label the fourth floor as “3A.”
- In some provinces, hospitals even avoid room numbers like 14 or 24, as they contain the digit four.
- The Beijing Olympics began at 8:08 pm on August 8, 2008 (08/08/08) to harness the positive energy of eight, while completely avoiding the unlucky four.
- Occasionally, rare collectors seek out items with the number four, as taboo makes them more unique or affordable.
- In the World Health Organization building in China, there are no floors numbered 4, 14, or 24.
Four as a Lucky Number? Positive Associations
While rare, there are a few positive uses of four in Chinese culture:
- 四海 (sì hǎi, “four seas”): Refers to the whole world, implying inclusiveness.
- 四季发财 (sì jì fā cái): A traditional expression wishing wealth “all year round.”
- In classical Chinese art and literature, the four seasons or four directions often symbolize harmony and completeness.
These instances prove that while superstition often leans negative, four can still convey fullness or a well-rounded life in certain contexts.
Conclusion
The number 4 in Chinese culture is a story of sound shaping superstition. Its phonetic kinship with “death” has cast a long shadow over how people perceive, use, and avoid this digit. From real estate to hospitals, from phone numbers to rituals, aversion to the number 4 touches nearly every part of daily life in China and many Chinese-speaking communities abroad.
Yet, the meaning of four is not entirely black and white. Embedded within the layers of tradition are hints of its “other life”—representing completeness, harmony, or the four seasons. As society grows ever more international and attitudes evolve, four’s influence may wane, but its cultural role remains a rich topic—one that reminds us of how deeply language and belief can shape how we see the world.
FAQ
1. Why is the number 4 considered unlucky in Chinese culture?
The number 4 is considered unlucky because its pronunciation in Chinese (sì) sounds almost identical to the word for “death” (sǐ). This phonetic similarity links the number to misfortune and bad luck.
2. What is tetraphobia, and how does it manifest in Chinese society?
Tetraphobia is the fear or avoidance of the number four due to its association with death. In Chinese society, this leads to skipping the fourth floor in buildings, avoiding phone numbers with four, and not giving gifts in sets of four.
3. Are there any situations where four is seen as positive in Chinese tradition?
Yes, in some expressions and philosophies, four symbolizes balance, completeness, and harmony—such as the four seasons or four directions. Traditional greetings may also use four in a positive sense.
4. Does the superstition surrounding the number 4 exist in all Chinese-speaking regions?
The superstition is strongest in Mandarin, Cantonese, and other southern Chinese dialects, but similar attitudes are found in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and communities influenced by Chinese culture, like Japan and Korea.
5. Do all buildings in China skip floors with the number 4?
Not all, but it is a common practice—especially in new developments and cities with a strong Chinese cultural tradition. Some buildings may label the fourth floor as “3A” or omit it altogether.
6. How does the fear of four affect business and daily decisions?
Businesses avoid product launches or special events on dates containing a four, while individuals may avoid phone numbers, license plates, or addresses with the number. Properties with the number four may sell for less.
7. What’s the difference between the symbolism of 4 and other Chinese numbers?
While 4 is unlucky due to sounding like “death,” numbers like 8 (sounds like “prosperity”) and 9 (sounds like “long-lasting”) are especially lucky and highly desirable in all major life events.
8. Are there any customs or rituals specifically about the number four?
There are no major customs that directly honor the number four. Most traditions involve avoiding it, especially during important life milestones, festivals, or celebrations.
9. Do younger generations in China still avoid the number four?
Attitudes are shifting, especially among younger, urban, and more international generations. Some still avoid it out of respect for elders, but others pay little attention to the superstition.
10. Can four ever be considered lucky?
Though rare, four can be seen as lucky or positive in contexts where it represents completeness or the full cycle, such as the four seasons (四季) or “四海一家” (all under heaven are one family). In most popular belief, however, its negative connotations predominate.
