It's Never Just A Number

As I drive around I notice a lot of cars bearing nice number-plates. The Chinese people are usually very careful about their selection of numbers as some numbers are considered more auspicious than others, based on the Chinese word that is similar to the number name. Some people will try to choose or pay a large sum for numbers that are considered to be lucky for their car, phone, address, etc, with the number 3, 8 and 9 being most popular. It’s also interesting how a combination of certain numbers can either bring you compliments or unkind remarks.

One
The number 1 can mean “unity” or “certainty”
Two
In Cantonese, the number 2 sounds similar to the word for "easy"
Three
This number sounds similar to the word for "life"
Four
The number 4 is usually hugely unpopular because it sounds like the word for “death”. Most high-rise buildings replace the number for the fourth floor with 3A.
Five
This number when paired with a lucky number actually cancels whatever good connotations associated with it, because it sounds like the word “not”
Six
In Cantonese this number sounds like the word for “earning a living’ so it is considered lucky when paired with the number 2.
Seven
This number is popular with the Christian community as it is the number of perfection; 7 days in a week, 7 colours of the rainbow, etc.
Eight
The word for 8 sounds similar to the word for "prosper" or “wealth” and is greatly sought after. The number plate 8888 can cost more than RM10,000
The opening ceremony of the Summer Olympics in Beijing began on 8/8/08 at 8 seconds and 8 minutes past 8 pm.
Nine
This number sounds like the word for "longlasting”


Combinations
1314 - forever
138 - prosperous for life
168- prosperous all the way
524 - Cantonese, "not easy to die"
528 – Cantonese, “not easy to prosper”
7788 – completed
69 – a very impolite word
5354 – Cantonese, "not alive, not dead", referring to something on the verge of death