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Numerology | Cultural Beliefs in Numbers

Written by Harry
September 25, 2024
10 Mins Read

Cultural Beliefs in Numerology

Cultural beliefs play a significant role in shaping the interpretations and associations with lucky numbers. Different cultures have their own unique beliefs and traditions regarding numbers and their perceived luckiness or unluckiness. Below are a few examples of cultural beliefs related to lucky numbers.

Chinese Culture


In Chinese culture, certain numbers are considered lucky due to their pronunciation and association with positive meanings. Here are some of the lucky numbers in Chinese culture:

1 (一, yī): In Chinese, the number 1 sounds like the word "yī" which means "unity" or "together." It is associated with new beginnings, progress, and individuality.

2 (二, èr): The number 2 sounds like the word "èr" which means "harmony" or "together." It is associated with balance, cooperation, and harmonious relationships.

3 (三, sān): The number 3 sounds like the word "sān" which means "growth" or "life." It is associated with creativity, expansion, and vitality.

6 (六, liù): The number 6 sounds like the word "liù" which means "smooth" or "flowing." It is associated with smoothness, success, and progress.

8 (八, bā): The number 8 sounds like the word "bā" which sounds similar to the word for "prosperity" or "wealth" in Chinese. It is considered the luckiest number and is associated with wealth, success, and good fortune.

9 (九, jiǔ): The number 9 sounds like the word "jiǔ" which sounds similar to the word for "long-lasting" or "eternity" in Chinese. It is associated with longevity, completeness, and a sense of fulfillment.

Besides these specific numbers, combinations of numbers are also considered lucky in Chinese culture. For example, the number 168 is considered lucky as it combines the elements of 1 (unity), 6 (smoothness), and 8 (prosperity), symbolizing a smooth and prosperous life.

It's important to note that lucky numbers can vary based on regional and personal beliefs within Chinese culture. Additionally, some numbers are considered unlucky due to their pronunciation and association with negative meanings. It's always best to respect and understand the cultural beliefs and interpretations surrounding lucky numbers in Chinese culture.

Western Culture

In Western culture, certain numbers are often considered lucky due to their associations with positive symbolism, historical significance, or personal beliefs. While the concept of lucky numbers may vary among individuals, here are some numbers that are commonly considered lucky in Western culture:

7: In Western culture, the number 7 is often associated with luck, spirituality, and perfection. It is considered a sacred number in many religions and is seen as a symbol of completeness and wisdom.

3: The number 3 is often associated with luck, harmony, and creativity in Western culture. It is considered a magical number, representing balance and manifestation of desires.

8: Similar to Chinese culture, the number 8 is considered lucky in Western culture as well. It is associated with prosperity, abundance, and success. It is often seen as a symbol of financial fortune.

9: In Western culture, the number 9 is associated with spiritual growth, enlightenment, and humanitarianism. It is seen as a number of completion and transformation.

11: The number 11 is often considered a master number in numerology and is associated with intuition, spiritual insight, and enlightenment. It is seen as a powerful and mystical number.

Indian Culture

In Indian culture, certain numbers are considered lucky due to their significance in ancient traditions, religious beliefs, and numerological interpretations. Here are some of the lucky numbers in Indian culture:

1 (एक, ek): The number 1 is considered auspicious and represents new beginnings, individuality, and leadership. It symbolizes the supreme divine power and is associated with success and accomplishment.

3 (तीन, teen): The number 3 is considered lucky and represents creativity, growth, and expansion. It is associated with good fortune, abundance, and prosperity.

5 (पांच, paanch): The number 5 is considered auspicious and represents balance, adaptability, and change. It is associated with positive transformations, adventure, and freedom.

7 (सात, saat): The number 7 is considered lucky and holds a special significance in Indian culture. It is associated with spirituality, wisdom, and introspection. Many traditional practices, such as performing rituals on the 7th day or observing fasts for 7 days, are based on the belief in the power of the number 7.

9 (नौ, nau): The number 9 is considered highly fortunate and is associated with completion, spirituality, and enlightenment. It represents divine wisdom and is often associated with generosity and selflessness.

Besides these specific numbers, certain combinations of numbers are also considered lucky in Indian culture. For example, the number 108 is considered sacred in Hinduism and is associated with spiritual practices and rituals.

Japanese Culture


In Japanese culture, certain numbers are considered lucky due to their pronunciation and associations with positive meanings. Here are some of the lucky numbers in Japanese culture:

7 (七, shichi/nana): The number 7 is considered lucky in Japan and holds a special significance. It is associated with good fortune, luck, and blessings. In addition, there is a traditional festival called Tanabata celebrated on the 7th day of the 7th month, which further emphasizes the importance of the number 7.

8 (八, hachi): The number 8 is considered lucky in Japan as it sounds similar to the word "hachi," which means prosperity and wealth. It is associated with financial success and abundance.

9 (九, kyū/kokonotsu): The number 9 is also considered lucky in Japanese culture. It sounds similar to the word "kyū," which means long-lasting or eternity. It represents longevity, happiness, and fulfillment.

Besides these specific numbers, some combinations of numbers are also considered lucky in Japanese culture. For example, the number 888 is highly regarded as it symbolizes triple prosperity and abundance.

It's important to note that some numbers are considered unlucky in Japanese culture as well. For example, the number 4 (四, shi) is considered unlucky because it sounds similar to the word for death (死, shi). As a result, it is often avoided in various contexts.

Islamic Culture

In Islamic culture, while there is no specific emphasis on lucky numbers, certain numbers hold symbolic significance due to their associations in religious texts and traditions. Here are some numbers that hold importance in Islamic culture:

7: The number 7 is mentioned several times in the Quran, which is the holy book of Islam. It is associated with completeness, perfection, and divine blessings. For example, there are seven heavens and seven earths mentioned in Islamic cosmology.

19: The number 19 is considered special in Islamic numerology. It is believed to have mystical significance and is associated with the miraculous nature of the Quran. The number 19 is mentioned in the Quranic Chapter 74, and its multiples are said to hold special significance in certain contexts.

99: The number 99 represents the 99 Names of Allah, which are the divine attributes and qualities mentioned in Islamic theology. Each name reflects a different aspect of Allah's nature and is considered sacred. Reciting and reflecting upon these names is considered a form of worship and spiritual devotion.

786: In certain Islamic cultures, the number 786 is considered auspicious. It is derived from the Arabic letters that represent "Bismillah al-Rahman al-Rahim," which means "In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful." Muslims often use this number as a substitute for writing or speaking the full phrase.

It's important to note that Islamic culture places more emphasis on spiritual beliefs and practices rather than specific lucky numbers. The focus is on faith, prayer, moral values, and following the teachings of Islam. While numbers may hold symbolic importance, their significance lies primarily within religious texts and teachings rather than personal beliefs or superstitions.

About the Writer

Written by Harry

A marketer with a background of electrical engineering and developer. Passion in researching, executing, and evaluating new tech innovations.