Quiz: In Chinese culture, what does the number “8” symbolize?
A. Xìngyùn hé fánróng (幸运和繁荣) – Luck and prosperity
B. Chángshòu (长寿) – Longevity
C. Sǐwáng (死亡) – Death
D. Àiqíng (爱情) – Love
Answer: A. Xìngyùn hé fánróng (幸运和繁荣) – Luck and prosperity
Explanation:
In Chinese culture, the number “8” (八, bā) is considered extremely lucky because its pronunciation sounds similar to the word for “prosperity” or “wealth” (发, fā, as in 发财, fācái, meaning “to become rich”). It is often associated with good fortune, success, and abundance. This is why you’ll see the number 8 favored in phone numbers, license plates, wedding dates, and even the Beijing Olympics (which started on 8/8/2008 at 8:08 PM).
The other options are incorrect because:
- B (长寿, chángshòu) is linked to longevity, often symbolized by the number 9. “9” (jiǔ) = Sounds like “久” (jiǔ, “long-lasting”), symbolizing longevity.
- C (死亡, sǐwáng) is associated with death, commonly tied to the number 4 (which sounds like “death” in Chinese). “4” (sì) = Sounds like “死” (sǐ, “death”), making it unlucky.
- D (爱情, àiqíng) represents love, but the number 8 is not specifically connected to romantic relationships.
So, if you see lots of 8s in Chinese culture, it’s all about luck and prosperity!