-->

• According to Chinese numerology, the number eight is a lucky number. For many, that translates August 8, 2008, or 8-8-08, into a very lucky day. Even the opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing was held at 8:08 p.m. on 8-8-08. Many people planned their weddings for that date as well.

• Fast Facts

  1. Chinese culture gives numbers attributes based on similar word sounds
  2. One of China's languages, Cantonese, has many homonyms
  3. The number eight is pronounced "fah" and sounds like the word for fortune
  4. Eight is equated with being lucky, prosperous and having good fortune
  5. Chinese-Americans prefer eights in their phone numbers
  6. Eights on Chinese license plates are very popular
  7. In China, the phone number 8888-8888 sold for $270,723

• Background

  Chinese numerology dates back thousands of years. However, only in the last century have homonyms been used to give meaning to numbers. All numbers one through nine have corresponding homonyms and associated meanings. Other lucky number combinations include 1414, 168, 518 and 524.

  
  

Categories

• View History
• Discuss on the Message Board
• Embed this Page
• Share this page