Table of Contents
If you spend time in China or around Chinese communities, you will quickly notice that numbers carry a lot of meaning. Certain numbers are believed to bring luck, wealth, happiness, or success, while others are linked to bad fortune, death, or trouble. These beliefs influence daily life in ways that may surprise you. People choose phone numbers carefully, avoid certain apartment floors, pay extra for lucky license plates, and even schedule weddings around favorable dates.
Chinese number superstitions mainly come from pronunciation. Many numbers sound similar to positive or negative Chinese words. Because of this, some numbers became deeply connected to cultural beliefs over hundreds of years. Even today, businesses, families, and young people still pay attention to lucky and unlucky numbers.
In this guide, you will discover the top lucky and unlucky numbers in Chinese culture and learn why they matter so much in everyday life.
Quick Summary Table 🎲
| Number | Lucky or Unlucky | Main Meaning | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Lucky | Wealth and prosperity | Sounds like “fortune” |
| 6 | Lucky | Smooth success | Sounds like “flow” |
| 9 | Lucky | Long life and power | Connected to emperors |
| 2 | Lucky | Good pairs and harmony | Double happiness concept |
| 7 | Mixed | Spiritual connection | Linked to traditions and ghosts |
| 4 | Unlucky | Death | Sounds like the word for death |
| 14 | Very Unlucky | Certain death | Combination of negative sounds |
| 13 | Mixed | Sometimes positive | Different from Western beliefs |
| 168 | Extremely Lucky | Wealth all the way | Popular business number |
| 520 | Romantic Lucky Number | “I love you” | Popular online slang |
How We Ranked These Numbers 🏮
We ranked these lucky and unlucky numbers based on several important cultural factors:
- How common the belief is across China
- Historical and traditional significance
- Use in modern daily life
- Influence on business and money
- Popularity in weddings and celebrations
- Connection to language pronunciation
- Use in online culture and texting
- Importance in real estate and phone numbers
- Presence in festivals and rituals
- Strength of positive or negative symbolism
1. Number 8: The Luckiest Number in Chinese Culture 💰
The number 8 is easily the most famous lucky number in Chinese culture. If you ask someone in China which number brings the most luck, many people will immediately say 8.
The reason comes from pronunciation. In Mandarin Chinese, the word for eight sounds similar to the word for wealth or prosperity. Because of this connection, the number became strongly linked to financial success and good fortune.
You can see the influence of 8 almost everywhere in China. Businesses pay huge amounts of money for phone numbers filled with 8s. Some people spend extra on homes with addresses containing 8. Companies often launch products or open stores on dates that include the number.
One famous example happened during the Beijing Olympics in 2008. The opening ceremony officially started on August 8, 2008, at exactly 8:08 PM. This timing was chosen because organizers believed it would bring luck and success to the event.
The number is also popular in gambling, weddings, and business deals. Couples often choose wedding dates with multiple 8s because they hope for a wealthy and successful marriage.
Even outside China, many overseas Chinese communities continue to value this number highly. In cities with large Chinese populations, license plates or phone numbers with repeated 8s can become very expensive.
2. Number 6: The Number of Smooth Success 🚗
The number 6 is another very lucky number in Chinese culture. It is associated with smooth progress, stability, and success without obstacles.
The pronunciation of six sounds similar to the Chinese word meaning “flow” or “things going smoothly.” Because of this, people believe the number can help life move easily and successfully.
Business owners especially love the number 6. You may notice grand opening dates, promotional events, and business phone numbers using many sixes. The idea is simple. If things “flow smoothly,” then profits and opportunities will also flow naturally.
Drivers often like license plates with the number 6 because they hope for safe and trouble-free travel. Some people also prefer apartment numbers containing 6 for a peaceful family life.
In online culture, combinations of sixes are often used to praise someone. For example, typing “666” in Chinese internet slang can mean “awesome” or “impressive.” This is very different from Western culture, where 666 is often viewed negatively.
The Chinese meaning focuses more on skill, success, and smooth performance rather than anything evil or frightening.
3. Number 9: The Imperial Number 👑
The number 9 has a long and powerful history in China. Traditionally, it symbolized authority, eternity, and imperial power.
Ancient Chinese emperors strongly valued the number 9 because it was considered the highest single-digit number. It represented greatness and completeness. In old Chinese architecture, you can often find patterns involving nine dragons, nine gates, or groups of nine decorative elements.
The Forbidden City in Beijing contains many references to the number 9 because it was built for the emperor. The number became a symbol of royal authority and heavenly power.
In pronunciation, nine sounds are similar to the word meaning “long-lasting.” Because of this, it is also connected to long life and lasting relationships.
Couples sometimes use the number 9 in weddings to symbolize eternal love. Businesses may also use it to represent long-term success.
Unlike some lucky numbers that mainly focus on money, the number 9 carries a deeper feeling of prestige, respect, and endurance.
4. Number 2: Double Happiness and Harmony 💞
In Chinese culture, good things are often believed to come in pairs. Because of this belief, the number 2 is considered very lucky.
You may hear the saying that “double happiness arrives.” This idea appears frequently in weddings, festivals, and family celebrations.
The famous Chinese wedding symbol for double happiness is built around the concept of two matching joys coming together. Many decorations are displayed in pairs to encourage balance and harmony.
Businesses also use the number 2 to create a feeling of cooperation and teamwork. Gift giving often involves even numbers because pairs are seen as more favorable than odd amounts.
The number 2 is not usually connected to wealth as strongly as 8, but it is still highly respected because it represents relationships, peace, and harmony.
In daily life, people may choose dates with the number 2 for engagements, family events, or partnerships.
5. Number 7: A Number With Mixed Meanings 🌙
The number 7 has both positive and negative meanings in Chinese culture, making it one of the most interesting numbers on this list.
On the positive side, 7 is linked to togetherness and spiritual connection. Some traditional festivals occur on the seventh day or seventh month of the lunar calendar.
One famous example is the Qixi Festival, often called the Chinese Valentine’s Day. It takes place on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month and celebrates love and reunion.
However, the number also has connections to ghosts and ancestor rituals. The seventh lunar month is sometimes called the Ghost Month. During this period, many people believe spirits visit the human world.
Because of this, some people feel cautious about the number 7. It is not considered strongly unlucky like 4, but it does carry spiritual and emotional associations.
Modern opinions on 7 vary greatly depending on age, region, and personal beliefs. Younger generations may see it as stylish or mysterious, while older generations may connect it more with traditional rituals.
6. Number 4: The Most Unlucky Number ☠️
If 8 is the luckiest number in Chinese culture, then 4 is usually considered the unluckiest.
The reason again comes from pronunciation. In Mandarin and several Chinese dialects, the word for four sounds very similar to the word for death. Because of this, many people avoid the number completely.
You can see this fear in buildings across China and other East Asian countries. Some apartment complexes skip the fourth floor entirely. Hospitals especially try to avoid room numbers containing 4 because patients may feel uncomfortable.
People may reject phone numbers, license plates, or home addresses containing several 4s. Businesses also avoid using the number in branding whenever possible.
The fear of the number 4 is sometimes compared to the Western fear of the number 13. However, in many Chinese communities, the dislike of 4 is much stronger and more widespread.
Not everyone believes in number superstitions equally, especially younger urban residents, but the influence remains very powerful overall.
7. Number 14: The Ultimate Bad Luck Number ⚡
The number 14 is considered even worse than 4 in many situations.
Why? Because the pronunciation of 14 can sound similar to phrases meaning “will certainly die” or “guaranteed death” in some Chinese dialects.
This creates a very negative association that makes many people deeply uncomfortable.
In apartment buildings, you may notice missing 14th floors just like missing fourth floors. Hotels sometimes avoid room numbers containing 14 because guests may request different rooms.
People buying homes or phone numbers often avoid any combination involving 14. Businesses also stay away from it when choosing important launch dates.
The strong fear surrounding 14 shows how deeply pronunciation influences Chinese cultural beliefs. Even though people logically know numbers cannot control fate, traditional associations still affect emotions and decision-making.
8. Number 13: Different From Western Beliefs 🎭
In Western culture, the number 13 is usually considered unlucky. In Chinese culture, however, the meaning is much more complicated.
Unlike the strong dislike of 4, opinions about 13 are mixed. Some Chinese people do not view it negatively at all. Others may avoid it because it includes the number 1 followed by 3, which can sound uncertain in some regional dialects.
Interestingly, in certain interpretations, 13 can even have positive meanings. The pronunciation may resemble phrases connected to growth or definite success, depending on the dialect and wording used.
This shows an important difference between Chinese and Western superstitions. Chinese number beliefs depend heavily on sound and language rather than religious traditions.
Because China has many dialects and regional variations, a number may carry different meanings in different places.
As global culture becomes more connected, some Chinese people have also adopted Western concerns about 13, especially in international businesses and hotels.
9. Number 168: The Famous Wealth Combination 💎
While single numbers matter, combinations are also extremely important in Chinese culture. One of the most famous lucky combinations is 168.
This number sounds similar to a phrase meaning “wealth all the way” or “prosperity continuously arriving.”
Because of this meaning, 168 is incredibly popular in business culture. Shops, restaurants, and companies often include it in phone numbers, addresses, or pricing.
You may see products priced at 168 yuan instead of 170 because the number feels luckier and more attractive to customers.
Entrepreneurs especially love this combination because it sends a message of continuous financial growth.
Luxury items with 168 in their serial numbers or license plates can become highly valuable. Some people even compete at auctions for rare number combinations containing 168.
The popularity of this number shows how Chinese culture blends language, symbolism, and business psychology together.
10. Number 520: The Internet Love Number ❤️
Modern Chinese culture has created many new number meanings through internet slang, and 520 is one of the most famous examples.
When spoken aloud in Mandarin, 520 sounds similar to the phrase “I love you.” Because of this, the number became widely used online as a romantic expression.
Young people often send “520” in text messages instead of typing the full phrase. The date May 20 has also become an unofficial online Valentine’s Day in China.
Restaurants, flower shops, and gift companies often run promotions around this date because couples celebrate it like a romantic holiday.
The popularity of 520 shows how number symbolism continues evolving with technology and internet culture. Ancient traditions still matter, but younger generations are also creating new meanings in creative ways.
Today, 520 appears on gifts, jewelry, social media posts, and even wedding celebrations.
Conclusion 🐉
Lucky and unlucky numbers remain an important part of Chinese culture, even in modern society. These beliefs influence business, relationships, celebrations, travel, and daily decision-making. While some people treat the meanings seriously and others view them as fun traditions, the cultural impact is impossible to ignore.
The number 8 continues to represent wealth and prosperity, while 4 remains widely avoided because of its connection to death. Other numbers like 6, 9, and 2 symbolize smooth success, long life, and harmony. Meanwhile, modern combinations like 520 show how number symbolism keeps evolving in the digital age.
Understanding these cultural meanings can help you better appreciate Chinese traditions and avoid accidental misunderstandings when traveling, doing business, or building relationships with Chinese communities.
Frequently Asked Questions 🧠
Why are Chinese people so serious about lucky numbers?
Many Chinese people grow up hearing number superstitions from family traditions and cultural beliefs. Even if someone does not fully believe in them, they may still follow the customs out of respect or habit. Numbers are also connected to language pronunciation, making the meanings feel more natural in daily life.
Are lucky number beliefs the same across all parts of China?
No. China has many dialects and regional traditions, so the number meanings can vary slightly depending on location. However, numbers like 8 and 4 are widely recognized almost everywhere in Chinese culture.
Why do buildings sometimes skip certain floors in China?
Many buildings avoid floors containing the number 4 because people associate it with death. Developers know buyers may feel uncomfortable living on those floors, so skipping them can make properties easier to sell.
Do younger Chinese people still believe in number superstitions?
Many younger people still pay attention to lucky and unlucky numbers, although often in a lighter or more playful way. Online slang like 520 shows that younger generations continue creating new number meanings while keeping older traditions alive.
Can lucky numbers really affect business success in China?
While numbers themselves do not control success, they can influence customer feelings and cultural impressions. Businesses often use lucky numbers because customers may view them more positively, which can help with branding and marketing.
