Like many representatives of other cultures, the Chinese have their own ideas about lucky and unlucky numbers. The meaning of numbers in China depends, first of all, on their energy. In Eastern philosophy and religion, the Universe appears dual. Moreover, unlike the European, Christian culture, the two world principles - darkness and light, Yin and Yang - not only oppose each other, but can also merge in harmony. The same ideas permeate Eastern numerology. Even numbers are associated with the world of the living, they exude goodness and order, and odd numbers - with the world of the dead, they bring chaos and exude bad energy. That is why, unlike in Russia, in China it is customary to give bouquets made up of an even number of flowers, and to present only even amounts of money as a gift.

In general, numerology in this country is treated with great trepidation, numerical symbolism pervades absolutely everything here. For most locals, it is fundamentally important to live in an apartment with a lucky number or have a good combination of numbers on the phone. And for the purchase of a license plate containing certain numbers, some Chinese are ready to give a fortune. In addition, since the sound of many Chinese words is the same as the pronunciation of numbers, number sequences are often used to convey messages.

tetraphobia

From a series of even numbers that bring good luck, a four is knocked out. The fact is that this figure is indicated on the letter by the same hieroglyph as the word "death". If nowadays in Western countries superstitions related to numbers are usually treated with irony, then most Chinese take digital symbolism very seriously. In everyday life, the inhabitants of the Celestial Empire try to avoid the number 4, not to allow it to appear in telephone numbers and car numbers. In many buildings you will not find the fourth floor or office under this number, instead they use the designations 3A or 5A. There are also concerns about the numbers 13 (because 1 and 3 add up to 4) and 14 (the hieroglyphs that these two numbers correspond to can also be read as the phrase "certain death"). They are replaced by combinations 15A and 15B, respectively. Or dangerous numbers are simply skipped. For the same reason, air travel on the TU-154 aircraft is especially unpopular in China.

People who are not prone to superstition, such fear can be beneficial. Buying an apartment at number 4 or buying a phone number containing fours can cost much less than their real market value. Sellers who are aware of the tetraphobia of their compatriots try to sell everything that contains a terrible figure at big discounts. However, these same fears can cause merchants to round prices up to a nice number in their favor.

Despite the fact that most try to avoid the demonic number, 4 in China is also an important sacred symbol. As mentioned above, for Eastern philosophy there is nothing absolutely white and absolutely black. The positive values ​​of this figure embody the four seasons, the four elements or the four cardinal points.

Number two in China

The attitude towards the even two is also very ambiguous. On the one hand, 2 is an unlucky number in China. It is with the deuce that contradictions and conflicts begin. This is a symbol of the fact that everything in the world is divided into black and white, Yin and Yang. However, opposites can not only fight, but also complement each other. Yin and Yang are able to merge into a single symbol. Therefore, at the same time, the number 2 is a sign of marriage, love and harmony. Very often, at Chinese wedding ceremonies, you can see the hieroglyph with which this number is transmitted in writing.

Also, according to popular beliefs, the number 2 is also a symbol of the moon, which personifies indecision and uncertainty. A person born on the second number, a deuce will constantly lead astray and pull in different directions.

Lucky number in China

The most auspicious number in Chinese numerology is the eight, which is a symbol of the highest harmony and prosperity. This figure is indicated by the same hieroglyph as the verb "get rich". And since the number also resembles the sign of infinity in its shape, it also personifies the unceasing flow of wealth. It is no coincidence that the grand opening of the Beijing Olympics took place on August 8, 2008 at exactly 8 hours 8 minutes 8 seconds, and the dialing code of China is the number 86.

The cult of the number 8 pervades all Chinese philosophy and religion. For example, in mythology there is an idea of ​​eight divine winds. Traces of the worship of the eight can be found in traditional Chinese architecture, painting, and even poetry. In Buddhism, 8 is also an important sacred number. Despite the fact that at present the activities of Buddhist communities in China are strictly prohibited, this religion has greatly influenced the culture and mentality of the Chinese. According to Buddhist ideas, in order to achieve Nirvana, a believer must follow the Noble Eightfold Path, having given up all their worldly desires. The wheel of Dharma, symbolizing liberation from successive rebirths in Samsara, is also often depicted with eight spokes.

In order for the good to never run out, there should be as many eights as possible, or they should be combined with other lucky numbers. Three eights is a tripling of wealth and all sorts of benefits. The number 168 enjoys the same honor, the hieroglyphs forming it can be read as “the path of prosperity”.

Numerology in China has become the basis of marketing. In order to attract customers, many companies and stores try to use the number 8 in their phone numbers or names.

Knowing about the attitude of the Chinese to numerical symbolism, you can easily win over the locals. To do this, during communication, pay attention to the numbers and try to highlight the most successful of them.

Japan has a unique culture that revolves around strict rules of etiquette and mutual respect. Japan can also be called a meme generator country, because many of the popular habits of modern Western society came from there.

If you want to eat noodles - follow the rules, they give you a gift - follow the rules for accepting a gift, come to visit - follow a million more rules so as not to offend the owner.

This complex interweaving of social norms and traditions may seem strange to those who are in Japan for the first time, so if you are going there, then be sure to read the following rules.

1. Avoid the number "four" at all costs.

In Japan, the number four is avoided by absolutely everyone because it sounds like "death". In the same vein as the number 13 in Western culture, the number four in Japan is extremely lucky because it constantly rests. It is not customary to even get together on four.

Japanese buildings don't have a fourth floor, but skyscrapers add all floors from 40 to 49. The number 49 is especially unlucky, as it sounds like "mortal pain."

All this is called "tetraphobia", and almost everyone in East and Southeast Asia suffers from this phobia.

2. Blowing your nose in public is strictly prohibited. This is considered a gross violation of the rules of etiquette.

Blowing your nose in public is really unpleasant for others. Instead, the Japanese tend to sniff around until they find a secluded spot. The Japanese also do not tolerate handkerchiefs.

3. Tipping is considered an insult.

Tipping is considered a gross violation of the rules of conduct and is even regarded in Japanese society as a humiliation. Tipping Europeans and Americans are often surprised when waiters run after them to return the money.

If you liked the service, do not leave money, but make a gift.

4. Don't eat while walking.

Although many of you eat on the go, in Japan this is considered a violation of the rules of etiquette. Many also consider it a gross violation to eat in a public place or in transport.

There are of course exceptions. You can easily eat ice cream.

5. Specially trained people will push you into the subway car.

"Pushers" wear special uniforms, white gloves and hats, but they don't lend a hand, they literally push people into crowded subway cars at rush hour.

6. People can sleep in transport with their heads resting on your shoulder.

If someone nearby falls asleep and their head rests on your shoulder, this is normal. The Japanese work hard and travel from home to work and back for a long time, so they all sleep constantly. You should just take it easy.

7. There are special toilet slippers for bathrooms.

It is quite normal to wear slippers when entering a Japanese house, a traditional restaurant, a temple. If there are slippers at the entrance to any room, you must change your shoes.

But to visit the toilet room, the Japanese use special toilet slippers that are stored in the bathroom or stand in front of the door. You are required to wear them when visiting this facility.

8. You should always bring a gift to the recipient.

In Japan, it is an honor to be invited to someone's home, and if this happens, you are required to bring a gift. The gift should also have very elaborate packaging with lots of ribbons and bows. And do not forget that the owner may refuse to accept your gift several times, but you must insist and he will accept it 5-6 times.

9. Guests are not allowed to pour drinks into their glass.

You must pour a glass to the hosts, and they to you, and before you drink you must say "Kanpai".

10. You have to slurp and smack your food.

By sipping and smacking your lips, you express the pleasure of eating food, which is praise for the hostess. On the other hand, Japanese soup and noodles are usually served hot enough to burn the tongue, and sipping helps to cool the food.

But don't even think about burping...

11. Japan is the only country where capsule hotels pay off and are quite popular.

Now let's talk about the most unfortunate number from the point of view of the Chinese - 4.

Classical Chinese numerology sees nothing wrong with the four. This number symbolizes stability, rationality and balance.

Four in classical Chinese culture

Remember:

Four cardinal points - north, south, west and east;

Four seasons of the year - summer, winter, autumn and spring;

Four worthy occupations of a noble person - playing a musical instrument, chess, calligraphy and drawing (we talked about this in the article about in);

The Four Great Terems of China - Penlai, Yuyan, Tenwan and.

As you can see, the four is very popular in classical Chinese culture. In the religious sphere, it is also common:

Four main texts in Taoism;

Four sacred texts of Confucianism.

Number 4 in modern China

All the positive aspects of the four are leveled by only one phonetic coincidence. In Chinese, 4 is read as "Su" in the fourth tone.

On many sites on the Internet you will see "C", but this is not the case. The transcription of "Si" was taken from English sources, where they write "Si". What else should they write? There is no "s" in English. They write the closest transcription - "Si". From English, this error smoothly migrated to the Russian Internet.

In Chinese, 4 is read as "Su" in the fourth tone. And the word “death” is read as “Sy” in the third tone. This phonetic association has given the four such bad reputation.

Tetraphobia

We have 13 is considered a bad number, but we are not afraid of it as much as the Chinese four. Moreover, this is not only a Chinese phenomenon.

In Japanese, 4 is pronounced "shi" similar to the word for "death";

In Korean, 4 is pronounced “sa” similar to the word for “death”;

In Vietnamese, these words are similar, but more distantly.

Tetraphibia is not only a Chinese phenomenon, but is characteristic of the entire southeast of Asia. Often in buildings there are no 4th, 14th, 24th and so on floors, there are no floors from 40 to 49. In Hong Kong it also happens that there is no 13th floor. Hong Kong used to be a colony of Great Britain, and they inherited a dislike of the number 13 from the British. As a result, the 50th floor by number turns out to be the 35th in fact.

Hong Kong builders can be understood. Apartments and offices here are more expensive, the higher the floor. Any property on floors with a four in a room, on the contrary, costs less. In this way, they “stuff” the price of real estate, and tetraphibia is not the main motivation here.

The Taiwanese and South Korean armed forces do not use the number 4 in the serial numbers of ships and aircraft as a matter of principle. But the Chinese army despised tetraphobia, and does not pay attention to it.

Almost all Chinese people avoid fours in phone numbers, houses, apartments, cars or whatever.

Some combinations of numbers in China sound scary. 14 - you want to die, 24 - you will die easily, 74 - you will definitely die and 94 - you will die forever. The last phrase sounds illogical to us, but for the Chinese it makes sense, and this sense is terrible.

In neighboring Japan, the number 49 sounds the most terrible way - “pain to death”.

Japan is somewhat reminiscent of a lone man who believes that the world is not yet ready to accept him. For a long time, the country was hiding from the rest of the world and only at the beginning of the 20th century began to establish friendly relations with other states. From that moment on, interest in everything Japanese has increased significantly. Cuisine, traditions, holidays, mentality, clothing - all this is of interest to the public. Many Europeans are trying to comprehend the basics of the Japanese language. The first thing that causes problems is the numerals, namely the Japanese numbers.

Features of Japanese numerals

Japanese numerals are a special combination of numbers, which consists of the Chinese and Japanese counting systems. Due to the fact that the Chinese system is duplicated, Japanese hieroglyphic numbers have a double reading: OH (on) and KUN (kun).

Usually in Japan they use Arabic numbers, but you can also find hieroglyphs. Especially often they come across in the menu of restaurants at ryokans (traditional Japanese hotels). In addition, they resort to hieroglyphs if you need to write the text "vertically". Arabic numbers are used for horizontal writing.

The inhabitants of the Land of the Rising Sun have two counting systems: their own (the account is kept only up to 10) and borrowed (Chinese). The rules of use are quite simple: the Chinese account is always used with suffixes, Japanese numbers can exist independently.

1 to 10

To get to know Japanese numbers better, you need to know how they are written and read. The table below shows Japanese numbers from 1 to 10 with different pronunciations:

Number	Hieroglyph	OH (Chinese pronunciation)	KUN (Japanese pronunciation)
			Kokonotsu

As can be seen from the material presented, the numbers in Japan have a double name. Moreover, the pronunciation may differ in different regions. For example, the number 8 can be pronounced both "hachi" and "hachi" or "hashi".

There are also two different names for the Chinese version of the numbers 4, 7 and 9:

• 4 - "Yeon".
• 7 - "Nana".
• 9 - "Kyu".

In Japan, the numbers 4 and 9 are considered unlucky. Four is pronounced "shi", which is similar to the Japanese word for "death". Therefore, very often the pronunciation of "shi" is changed to "yon". Nine, in turn, is consonant with the word "suffering", which is pronounced simply as "ku". Therefore, you can often hear a modification of the pronunciation of the number 9.

In modern Japanese, all numbers except 4 and 7 have a Chinese pronunciation (that is, they are read by "onnu"). But in the names of the months, even they are pronounced with “ON”.

10 to 20

Japanese numbers that come after ten are formed mainly by a combination of numbers. For example, if you need to say 18, then you should take 10 (ju) and say it in combination with 8 (hachi). The result will be 18 - juhachi. All other numbers of this order are formed in the same way. The result is the following combinations:

11. 十一 - Juichi.

12. 十二 - Juni.

13. 十三 - Jusan.

14. 十四 - Juyeon.

15. 十五 - Jugo.

16. 十六 - Juroku.

17. 十七 - Junana.

18. 十八 - Juhachi.

19. 十九 - Jukuu.

20. 二十 - Niju.

Tens are formed by adding the desired multiplier to the word "ten", for example "sanju" (30) or "niju" (20).

More than a hundred

Japanese numbers are formed by adding one numeral to another. Even hundreds are formed in this way. 100 (百) is pronounced "hyaku" in Japanese. To form the numerals 300, 400, etc., it is necessary to pronounce the name of the corresponding figure from the first table before “hyaku”. Here are some examples:

• 300 (三百) - Sanhyaku.
• 400 (四百) - Yonhyaku.
• 500 (五百) - Gohyaku.

With this question, almost no one has any difficulties. The most interesting begins when you need to pronounce a three-digit number, which is not in the examples. For example, 125. In theory, it is clear that all the numerals that make up the number must be added together, but in practice, many are lost. 125 in Japanese sounds like "hyakuninjugo". If you write the number using kanji (hieroglyphs), then you get 百二十五. That is, 125 is the sum of the numbers: 100 + 20 + 5.

The numbers 1000 and 10000 are denoted as:

• 千 - Sen (one thousand).
• 万 - Man (ten thousand).

The numbers are formed in exactly the same way as the previous groups of numbers. For example, 1367 Japanese numbers translated into Russian will sound like "sen (1000) sanhyaku (300) rokujunan (67)". In this way, you can safely form numbers until you need to say a million.

Perhaps this is an exception to the rule. If six-digit numbers are formed by combining the number of previous orders (“juni” or “niju”), then a million is formed using the numbers 100 and 10,000. Accordingly, 1000000 will sound like “Hyakuman”.

On the first - the third pay!

Japanese numerals are very easy to remember. And if you learn the numbers from 1 to 12, then you can not bother with remembering the months of the year. In Japan, they do not have names. Just add the word "gatsu" to the number that indicates the number of the month. For example, January will sound like "Ichigatsu", which literally means "first month". Pay close attention to the fourth and seventh months. When it comes to months, then the "exceptional" ones - April and July - are pronounced "in Chinese", that is, with the "on" pronunciation. The result will be:

• 四月 - Shigatsu (April).
• 七月 - Shichigatsu (July).

Interest in Japan is inevitable. Traditions, language, mentality, culture - all this attracts the eyes of the public. After all, there, in a country where the sun wakes up earlier, everything is different. Even the numbers - and those are not the same as everyone else. That's what makes Japan interesting. Difficult but interesting.