Numbers hold immense power in Chinese culture and feng shui. Unlike Western numerology which focuses on mathematical patterns, Chinese number meanings come from how the numbers sound — creating powerful associations with fortune, death, prosperity, and longevity.
This guide reveals the authentic meanings of every number in Chinese feng shui, how to calculate your personal lucky number, and how to use numerology for addresses, phone numbers, and important dates.
🔢 The Power of Sound
In Chinese, numbers are lucky or unlucky based on homophones — words that sound similar. The number 8 (八 bā) sounds like 发 (fā) meaning "to prosper." The number 4 (四 sì) sounds like 死 (sǐ) meaning "death." This is why number choice matters so deeply in Chinese culture.
🔢 The Meaning of Each Number
8️⃣ Number 8: The King of Luck
The number 8 is so revered in Chinese culture that:
- The 2008 Beijing Olympics opened at 8:08:08 PM on 08/08/2008
- Phone numbers with 8s sell for thousands of dollars extra
- Addresses with 8 can add 5-10% to property value
- The Cantonese word for 8 (八 baat) sounds even more like "prosperity"
- 888 means "triple prosperity" — the ultimate lucky combination
∞ The Shape of 8
Beyond sound, the number 8 resembles the infinity symbol ∞ when turned on its side. This represents endless prosperity, continuous wealth flow, and eternal good fortune. The visual symbolism reinforces its auspicious nature.
4️⃣ Number 4: The Death Number
The number 4 is so feared that:
- Many buildings skip the 4th, 14th, 24th, 40-49th floors entirely
- Hospitals often have no Room 4 or 4th floor
- Airlines in Asia avoid Flight 4, 14, 44 designations
- Phone numbers with 4 are discounted
- Wedding gifts should never total amounts with 4
💀 44 — Double Death
The combination 44 is particularly dreaded as it represents "double death." If your address contains 44, feng shui masters recommend placing metal wind chimes near the entrance to disperse the negative energy, or adding auspicious numbers elsewhere (like apartment 44B, adding the "B" softens the energy).
🔮 Lucky Number Combinations
| Combination | Meaning | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| 168 | "一路发" (yī lù fā) — Prosperity all the way | Business, addresses |
| 888 | Triple prosperity | Everything! |
| 99 | "久久" (jiǔ jiǔ) — Forever and ever | Weddings, anniversaries |
| 66 | "六六大顺" — Everything goes smoothly | New ventures, travel |
| 18 | "要发" (yào fā) — Will prosper | Addresses, phone numbers |
| 28 | "易发" (yì fā) — Easy prosperity | Business, investments |
| 38 | "生发" (shēng fā) — Growing prosperity | New businesses |
| 98 | "久发" (jiǔ fā) — Long-lasting prosperity | Established businesses |
| 520 | "我爱你" (wǒ ài nǐ) — I love you | Romance, gifts |
| 1314 | "一生一世" — One life, one lifetime | Weddings (despite 4!) |
🏠 Address Feng Shui
How to Evaluate Your Address
Your home address affects your overall fortune. Here's how to assess it:
- Add all digits of your address together
- Reduce to a single digit (keep adding until one number)
- Assess that final number plus any obvious patterns
Remedies for Bad Address Numbers
If you already live at an address with 4 or other unlucky numbers:
- Add a suffix: 14A reads better than just 14
- Spell it out: "Fourteen" doesn't carry the Chinese sound
- Add lucky symbols: Place a "福" (fú = fortune) sign near the door
- Use wind chimes: Metal chimes disperse negative number energy
- Circle the number: Some masters recommend circling 4s to "contain" them
🧮 Calculate Your Personal Lucky Number
Birth Date Numerology
Add all digits of your birth date until you reach a single number:
Example: Born March 15, 1990
1 + 5 + 0 + 3 + 1 + 9 + 9 + 0 = 28
2 + 8 = 10
1 + 0 = 1
Your personal number is 1
Use this number for:
- Choosing seats and table numbers at events
- Selecting important dates (best when date reduces to your number)
- Adding as suffix to addresses or phone numbers
📱 Phone Number Feng Shui
Your phone number affects your communication luck and business fortune:
Ideal Phone Numbers Contain:
- Multiple 8s: Each 8 amplifies prosperity
- 6s: Smooth communication, good deals
- 9s: Long-lasting relationships
- Ending in 8: Prosperity conclusion to every call
Phone Numbers to Avoid:
- ❌ Any 4s (especially consecutive 44, 444)
- ❌ Ending in 4 (every call ends in "death")
- ❌ 14, 24, 74 combinations (death reinforced)
📅 Choosing Lucky Dates
When selecting dates for important events (weddings, business launches, moving):
Best Dates:
- 8th, 18th, 28th of any month
- Dates that add to 8 (17, 26, 35, etc.)
- August 8th (08/08) — Double 8
- Dates with 9 for longevity (weddings especially)
Dates to Avoid:
- ❌ 4th, 14th, 24th of any month
- ❌ April 4th (04/04) — Absolute worst
- ❌ Ghost Month (7th lunar month) for major decisions
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
🔮 Want Personalized Number Analysis?
Book a consultation for guidance on your address, phone number, and personal lucky dates.
Book a Consultation →🔮 Conclusion
Numbers surround us every day — in addresses, phone numbers, dates, prices, and more. Understanding Chinese numerology allows you to make subtle adjustments that align your environment with prosperity and good fortune.
While you can't always choose perfect numbers, you can minimize unlucky ones and maximize lucky ones wherever possible. Every 8 you add and every 4 you avoid shifts the energy in your favor.
"Numbers are the language of the universe. Speak prosperity." — Ancient Wisdom