Auspicious Numbers
The origins of numbers date back to India, and they are referred to as Hindu numerals, Arabic numerals, Hindu-Arabic numerals, etc. The original symbols used for numbers were different from what we used to do, have a look at this picture:
Numerals are symbols - they are glyphs or special characters used to denote quantity in counting. In the highly symbolic Chinese culture, numbers take on more meanings than just for counting. For example, from the Yi Jing (or I Ching), 2 numbers are used to refer to the emperor:
九五至尊
"the 9,5 ultimate"
One explanation is that 9 is ultimate and biggest single digit while 5 is the middle number representing central control, and hence the emperor. The other explanation is based on the Yi Jing hexagram (6 lines), namely the first one, Qian hexagram made up of 6 unbroken lines. 9-5 refer to the 5th yao (5th line from bottom up) and is the "best" yao as the dragon is in the sky - reaching the summit.
While the above has more literal meaning, the use of numbers to denote auspiciousness has more to do with "sound-alike" or homonyms.
Here are some popular numbers and their auspicious meanings:
9
The biggest single digit and hence often used to refer to the Emperor. In Chinese, 9 is pronounced as "Jiu" which is a homonym to “久", meaning long as in time. So when this number is used with other auspicious numbers, it adds on to the auspiciousness by suggesting "everlasting". When combined with the next popular auspicious number 8, for example as 998 - it sounds like "to prosper for a long time".
8
8 is a popular number in Chinese mythology and as well in religion. The 8 Chinese Immortals and their 8 auspicious Taoist tools, in Buddhism there are 8 auspicious symbols and the 8 fold path. As a homonym, 8 sounds a lot like "發" or prosper. So 8 is a very popular Chinese number. For example, in car plate numbers, the 8, 88, 888 and 8888 are highly bid numbers that cost into the thousands! We are now also in the Feng Shui period of 8 and that makes 8 even more auspicious.
6
6 is used again in the Yi Jing (or I Ching) to refer to the broken lines - yin yao. There are 6 lines in a hexagram, and when there are 6 broken lines - the resulting hexagram is Kun. Kun hexagram refers to difficulties that can be overcome, and so the following Chinese phrase is used to describe a well-wish for smooth times:
六六大顺
In the Cantonese dialect, spoken in Guang Zhou, China and in Hong Kong, 6 also sounds like the word for "prosperity"(as in "loke"). So when combined with the number 8, 68 doubles the auspicious prosperity! In Flying Stars, 1,6 and 8 are the 3 white colored stars that are auspicious. In Chinese, when placed together as 168, it sounds like yi lu fa - or prosper all the way on the road.
3
3 sounds close to "生" in Chinese and it means growth. When combined with 8, it means to grow and to prosper. And so, this Feng Shui Master decided to get an auspicious number plate for his new Mercedes Benz:
3 and 8 is also an auspicious He Tu (河图) combination that represents the element wood - which again means growth potential.
It is quite common to see the combinations of 8 and other numbers on car number plates in Singapore, for example:
9988 (prosper long time)
6888 (prosperity)
1888 (keep prospering)
168 (prosper on the road)
3388 (grow and prosper)
2888 (easy to prosper)
If you buy 4D lottery, you may have noticed that last week, 1888 came out as one of the consolation prizes. I was told by my car dealer that 3388 is always sold out early. I bought the 3888 number more for marketing impact than anything else, as it stays on the mind of my clients and potential clients. Something for people to talk about. In any case, it makes me smile each time I walk to the car, and that makes me happy, which is all that matters!
Dear readers, please also take note that auspicious numbers as mentioned in this article is more of Chinese social customs than actual Feng Shui. There are numbers also in Feng Shui, but they take on a symbolic meaning - for naming purposes to represent different things like Flying Stars and trigrams - in a qualitative use than quantitative use.
The "lucky numbers" are as lucky as you think they are! Enjoy reading!
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