Why Number 4 Means Death In Chinese: The Dark Symbolism
We all know that numbers have specific symbolic meanings in different cultures. That’s due to the particular superstitions, habits, or customs in those countries. Still, rarely can you find a number as controversial as 4. In fact, in Western cultures, this number is just another digit without any hidden, dark meaning. But in Chinese culture, the number 4 carries a much darker connotation. Believe it or not, once Chinese people see this number, they simply run away. Why? Because in Chinese culture, the number 4 means death. But how did this superstition evolve, and what kind of impact does it have in Chinese society? In this article, we’ll answer all the questions regarding the significance of number 4 in Chinese culture. Imagine a Chinese individual has to choose a new apartment. At first glance, everything seems alright – they found something that suits their needs and have already started thinking about designing their dream apartment. But suddenly they realize the number of their apartment is 4. Now the same person is scrolling through an online gaming platform, and they encounter a tempting Yay Casino no deposit bonus. It seems like they are close to a deal that’s too good to miss, but then they notice the number 4 in the bonus code. What would their first reaction be? They would definitely give up on their dreams and move on to something else. And the reason is easy to understand – the number 4 means death in Chinese, and no one wants to sacrifice their lives even if they miss the chance to fulfill the purpose of their lives. Interestingly, this ominous association isn’t related to any particular superstition or tradition. Instead, this association can be explained by its pronunciation. In fact, the Chinese word for number 4 is “死” which is pronounced as “sǐ” in Mandarin Chinese. And this sounds exactly like “death.” Therefore, people in this country prefer not to use numbers like 4, 14, 24, or anything that contains 4 in order to avoid its negative power. In everyday life, when a Chinese person encounters the number 4 either in phone numbers, billboards, clocks, or social media, their immediate reaction is to avoid it as soon as possible. And that’s easy to understand based on the common superstition regarding this number in Chinese culture. However, other than individual cases, there are some cultural practices that strengthen the fear of the number 4 even more. Here are some of the common cultural practices in Chinese culture regarding the number 4: And these are just a few of the main examples of fear of number 4 in this culture. Interestingly, there’s even a specific name for the condition that describes the fear of 4 — Tetraphobia. This superstition is common not only in Chinese culture but in most East Asian nations. Today, psychologists have even developed specific cognitive-behavioral strategies to help individuals overcome this fear and improve their well-being. Despite the mysterious associations with the number 4 in Chinese culture, it seems like they still consider April 4th (which includes double 4) an important traditional holiday. In fact, this day is known as Ching Ming or Tomb-Sweeping Day. But not surprisingly, this day is linked to the concept of death as well — on this holiday, Chinese families honor their ancestors and visit family graves to clean the tombstones. Besides, it’s important to note that while traditional people in China always get rid of the number 4 at all costs, these days the majority of Chinese aren’t as superstitious as they have been. Thus, it’s likely that you’ll encounter the number 4 in some apartment buildings or phone numbers. Copyright Statement: Unless explicitly stated, all stories published on Creepypasta.com are the property of (and under copyright to) their respective authors, and may not be narrated or performed under any circumstance.