Concept of numbers

1. The concept of numbers in
different cultures
Turdybekova Kamila

2. The meaning of numbers can be different across
cultures. The spiritual meaning could be auspicious or
ominous. The thing that should be considered is that
some numbers that are considered unlucky in some
countries are lucky in other countries.

3. What’s In A
Number?

4. Natural numbers are symbols or units that are part of a calculating and
counting system. A number also stands for a position or amount in a series.
Number is different from numerals. A numeral is a representation of a
number. A numeral system was invented by the Egyptians, which was
improved by the Greeks.
The Romans created the Roman numerals, using the Roman alphabet. In
the late 14th century, the Hindu–Arabic numeral system became the most
common system used around the world to represent numbers. It is
considered the most effective because of the symbol ”zero.” Moreover, you
can write the numbers in numerals, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or words, like six,
seven, eight, nine, and ten.

5. Giving notice
to numbers

6. Many people take numbers for granted because they have always
been there. However, for several cultures, the meaning of numbers
follows age-old traditions and cultural beliefs. There are deeply
spiritual meanings behind certain numbers that tie back to one’s life
path. Aside from spiritual meaning, many numbers also have a
deeper symbolic meaning, and it’s essential to gain a deeper
understanding of these meanings to understand how they affect the
physical world within different cultures.
Global business owners have to understand the meaning of
numbers and number associations so they can create better
marketing strategies. These associations often come
from traditions and beliefs passed down through the years.

7. When you have materials translated into other languages or your
website localized, numerical conventions and measurements,
including phone numbers, addresses, dates, and times are covered in
the localization process. But some difficulties can arise when the
association of the numbers comes from superstitions, religion, or
mythology. The level of difficulty rises when you consider that some
of the numbers may have favorable meanings in some countries but
may not be encouraging to other nations.

8. Meaning of numbers in
other cultures

9. Different cultures around the world have varied
beliefs, some due to religion and some due to
traditional beliefs. They attach different meanings
to many objects, colors, images, and numbers.
It’s fascinating to learn how other cultures
attach the specific meanings of numbers. There
are numbers they need to avoid and numbers
that are auspicious to them.

10. Ill-Fated Numbers

11. The Chinese consider the number four an unlucky number
since its Chinese pronunciation sounds like the Chinese term
for ”death.”
Therefore, buildings in China do not have a fourth floor,
well, not physically, but in the buildings’ elevators, number 4
is not included. Instead, they use the letter F. The same belief
is true in Japan and South Korea, and other Asian countries
where Chinese is spoken.
But the belief is not applicable to Germany where the
number is considered lucky, because it is associated with the
”four-leaf clover” which is a symbol for luck.
The Number 4

13. The sound of the number 9 in Japan is very similar to the
Japanese term for ”torture.” It’s avoided because it is
considered an unlucky number. Airlines and hospitals in Japan
avoid the number for this reason.
9 – 九 (kyuu/ku) sounds like an unlucky word, 苦 (ku). This
word means to be in agony or to suffer.
However, in China, it is a lucky number as it’s considered
the emperor’s number. Norwegians consider it a sacred
number because its folklore contains many stories about the
number 9.
The Number 9

14. In many countries around the world, including developed
countries such as Norway, Sweden, Portugal, and the UK, the
number 13 is considered an unlucky number.
Skeptical Inquirer magazine paranormal investigator and
senior research fellow Joe Nickell said that the number 13 is
odd (queer or peculiar). Many believe that number 12 is a
complete number, relating it to the zodiac signs and the
apostles. Number association might be the reason why many
cultures try to avoid number 13.
The Number 13

15. The Mayan calendar ended with the 13th Baktun, which
was believed to bring the apocalypse in 2012. Tall buildings
use different methods to name the 13th floor. The fear
extends to manufacturers and companies. People avoid
having 13 guests to their party or event and Friday the 13th
for many is very unlucky.
There is no acceptable proof that the number 13 is unlucky,
but it remains a sign of bad luck due to traditional beliefs. For
example, in The Last Supper, the 12 apostles were gathered
around Jesus, thus there were 13 people around the table.
Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus.
The Number 13

16. The members of the Knights Templar were ordered
arrested by King Philip IV of France on October 13, 1307,
which fell on a Friday. A year with 13 full moons was
considered unlucky, simply because the monks who were in
charge of organizing the calendar and the religious festivals
had to rearrange everything.
The Number 13

17. However, other countries
and organizations are not
wary of this number.

18. ● The Italians consider it a lucky number, as it is associated with
Saint Anthony, who is the patron saint of finding lost people and
things.
● Colgate University in Hamilton, New York, significantly honors
number 13. This is because 13 men with a capital of $13 founded the
institution. The school has 13 articles and 13 prayers.
● The United States originally consisted of 13 British colonies in the
mainland. The U.S. flag has 13 stripes – 7 red stripes and 6 white
stripes. The Great Seal of the United States has 13 stars. The chest
shield in front of the eagle has 13 stripes. The eagle’s left talon holds
13 arrows (Weapons of War) with 13 olive leaves and 13 olives on its
right talon. The scroll of the national motto “E Pluribus Unum” that the
eagle holds in its beak has 13 letters. At the back of the seal, you can
see an unfinished pyramid with 13 levels.
● A baker’s dozen actually consists of 13 pieces.

19. Italians believe that 17 is an unlucky number. It’s
because in Roman numerals, they write 17 as XVII.
When you rearrange the numbers, you get VIXI. This is
a Latin term for ”I Lived.” They often use this phrase on
tombstones.
The Number 17

20. Indians would try anything to avoid the number 26,
which they consider as a very unlucky number. So many
tragic incidences occurred on that particular date, such
as terrorist attacks, tsunamis, and earthquakes, which
make Indians want to obliterate the date.
The Number 26

21. On this day, 10 years ago Mumbai witnessed one of the
biggest terrorist attacks in its history. The memories of 2008
Mumbai attacks are also known as 26/11.
January 26, 2001, Gujarat terrorised by an earthquake: The
earthquake that struck the city Bhuj, Gujarat on December 26,
2001, was really a tragic one. Also known as the Bhuj
earthquake, the tragedy shook the city of Bhuj and lasted for
about two minutes. The Bhuj earthquake killed about 20,023
people and injured nearly 167,000 people. The 2001 Gujarat
earthquake was so destructive, it destroyed nearly 400,000
homes.
The Number 26

22. It's hard to find a credible story to explain what exactly it
means, but everyone knows it's bad. Many Afghans say that
the number 39 translates into morda-gow, which literally
means "dead cow" but is also a well-known slang term for a
procurer of prostitutes — a pimp.
In Afghanistan, being called a pimp is offensive, and calling
someone a pimp could carry deadly consequences. Similarly,
being associated with the number 39 — whether it's on a
vehicle license plate, an apartment number or a post office
box — is considered a great shame. And some people will go
to great lengths to avoid it.
The Number 39

23. In Christian countries, the number 666 is ominous
because it represents the beast (Antichrist)
mentioned in the Bible’s Book of Revelations.
There’s even a name for the fear of the number
666: Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia.
The Number 666

24. Favorable Numbers

25. Most people believe in the adage that “all good things
come in threes.” This is particularly true in Sweden, where
people consider the 3 as a very lucky number. In Korea, they
consider it the luckiest number.
The association is different from what the people in
Sweden believe. In Korea, the number three symbolizes
control over ground and heaven because 1 represents the sky
while 2 represents the earth. So adding the two numbers
produces 3.
The Number 3

26. Italians associate the number 3 with balance and strength,
represented by a triangle.
However, the Japanese and the Vietnamese avoid taking
photos if there are only 3 people because of an old
superstition that death will come to whoever is in the middle
of the photo.
The Number 3

27. In countries like Japan and China, the favorability of a
number usually comes from the way it sounds in the local
language. But in Korea, they consider numbers and the
meaning of numbers lucky because of its concept.
For example, 7 means lucky, and this is why they frequently
use it in gambling areas in the country.
In most western countries, such as the Netherlands,
France, United States, and the United Kingdom, 7 is a lucky
number as well. They associate it with the 7 planets, 7
wonders (ancient world), 7 deadly sins, and God needed only 7
days to create the entire universe.
The Number 7

28. But in countries that came under Chinese influence such as
Thailand and Vietnam, the number 7 is an unlucky number. It’s
because it represents the month of July, which is the time
people pay respect to their dead relatives. People in these
countries offer food items and various fruits in the hope that
the dead won’t haunt them.
The Number 7

29. Many religions around the world, including Hinduism,
Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Taoism consider 8
an auspicious number. Chinese people are particularly fond of
the number 8. The number translates to bā, which sounds like
the Chinese word fā, which means to generate wealth.
The association of the number 8 with wealth is very strong
in China. So much so that they consider properties with the
number 8 in the address as highly valuable possessions. In
Hong Kong, for example, someone paid $640,000 for a plate
number that had a particular number.
The Number 8

31. Here’s another solid example – the August 2008 Summer
Olympics held in Beijing officially started at 08:08:08 local
time.
In Japan, they also consider the number 8 as lucky, and
they call it ya or Hachi. The association with luck is in the
formation of the word in Japanese characters, which gives off
the idea of getting wealthy because the shape of the letter –
八- gradually broadens.
The Number 8

32. If the meaning of the number 666 in Christian countries
evokes fear, this particular number is lucky for others. The
Chinese consider the number 666 as a bringer of good fortune
because it means everything goes smoothly.
Many Chinese want to have 666 on their phone numbers or
license plates and are willing to pay more just to have them.
The Number 666

34. These are only some of the many
meanings for numbers in different
cultures, which people should know
about. Superstitions and beliefs play a
large part in everyday life.

35. Thank you for
your attention!