Superstitions of the WorldThe number 4 in East Asia: superstition explained
What people believe, where it comes from and what is really going on.
The belief
In Chinese, Japanese and Korean, the number four is avoided because its pronunciation is close to the word for death. Hospitals may have no fourth floor or room 4, and gifts in sets of four are avoided.
Where it comes from
The belief is an example of a pun carrying a superstition. In Chinese, "si" (four) and "si" (death) differ only in tone. In Japanese the number can be read "shi", the same as death, and "yon" is used instead in daily life.
What is really going on
It is a matter of courtesy: if you give gifts in East Asia, avoid sets of four, as with the clock.
See also
- Friday the 13th In many Western countries Friday the 13th is thought unlucky; the fear of it has
- The number 13 In some countries buildings have no 13th floor and hotels no room 13; the belief
- The number 8 in China Eight sounds like the word for prosperity in Chinese, so phone numbers, car plat
- The number 7 Seven is lucky in many Western cultures, perhaps from the seven days of Creation
- Friday the 17th in Italy In Italy and some Spanish-speaking countries the unlucky day is Tuesday the 13th
- Number 666 The number of the beast in the Book of Revelation, avoided by some as an address
Questions people ask
What is the superstition about the number 4 in east asia?
In Chinese, Japanese and Korean, the number four is avoided because its pronunciation is close to the word for death. Hospitals may have no fourth floor or room 4, and gifts in sets of four are avoided.
Is it true?
There is no evidence that it affects events; it is a cultural belief.
This page reports popular beliefs for interest. Superstitions do not predict or cause anything, and nothing here is advice.