Is number 9 lucky in Chinese?

In Chinese culture, certain numbers are considered lucky or unlucky based on the meaning associated with the numbers. The number 9 is generally considered to be a very auspicious and lucky number.

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Why is 9 a Lucky Number in Chinese Culture?

There are a few key reasons why the number 9 is considered lucky in Chinese culture:

The Chinese word for 9 sounds similar to the word for “longlasting” in Chinese. Therefore, 9 is associated with longevity, permanence, and eternity.
9 is the largest single digit number, so it symbolizes completeness, fulfillment, and perfection.
The shape of 9 resembles the character for “longevity” or “forever” in Chinese calligraphy.

There is a cultural legend about the 9 sons of the dragon, which is an auspicious mythological symbol in Chinese culture. This reinforces the lucky associations.

In Chinese, 9 is pronounced “jiu”, which sounds similar to the Chinese word for longlasting or eternality. This phonetic similarity imbues the number 9 with symbolic meaning in Chinese culture.

Examples of 9 Being Lucky in China

Here are some examples that illustrate the significance of 9 as a lucky number in China:

Giving gifts or money in multiples of 9 is considered auspicious for birthdays, weddings, and holidays like Chinese New Year.
Addresses with multiple 9s can sell for higher prices in China because 9 is lucky. For example, a luxury apartment unit numbered 9009 might be preferable.
The Beijing Olympics began at 8:08 pm on 8/08/2008 because the number 8 is also lucky in China and three 8s together invokes extra luck.

Phone numbers and car license plates with 9s are popular and seen as desirable.
September 9, 1999 was a hugely popular date for weddings in China because of the many 9s.

As these examples illustrate, Chinese culture strongly associates 9 with good fortune, prosperity, longevity, and positive outcomes. It is seen as an especially promising number.

Is 9 Always Lucky in China?

While 9 is generally considered lucky in China, there are some exceptions or qualifiers to note:

While one 9 is good, too many 9s together can sometimes be viewed as excessive. For example, a 9,999,999 price tag might be seen as unrealistic.
Because 4 is an unlucky number in Chinese culture, combinations like 94 or 494 would be avoided.

While 9 by itself or in pairs/triples is lucky, 9 grouped in a set like 9, 19, 29, 39…etc is not necessarily lucky or unlucky.
Although 9 sounds like the word for “longevity”, sometimes 4 sounding like “death” is considered dominant. So 49, 94, or other combinations with 4 would be avoided.
For addresses, while 9 is good, combinations like 904 (9 + 0 + 4) would be avoided due to 4 being unlucky.

So while 9 is broadly lucky in China, the context does matter. But overall, it clearly leans towards the fortunate side of the spectrum.

Origin and History of 9 Being Lucky in Chinese Culture

The association of 9 as a lucky number has long roots in Chinese history and culture:

The ancient Chinese used a form of numerology called ziping, which designated certain numbers as auspicious and others inauspicious based onConfucian and Taoist beliefs.

In ziping numerology, the cardinal number 9 symbolized immortality and longevity due to its high position on the number spectrum. This seeded its lucky associations.
The character for 9 in ancient Chinese seal script resembles the Chinese character for “long” or “forever”, which reinforced 9 as an auspicious number.
The myth of the 9 sons of the dragon also emerged over time. The dragon is a sacred symbol of power and good fortune in Chinese culture.

Feng shui principles about symbolic luck, balance, and cosmic forces also attribute energetic properties to certain numbers, including 9.

So while the lucky 9 has its linguistic ties, it also has deep roots in Chinese philosophy, mythology, and mystical traditions that have reinforced it as an especially fortunate number over centuries.

Significance of 9 in Other Aspects of Chinese Culture

Beyond being a broadly lucky number, 9 has special significance in other elements of traditional Chinese culture:

In feng shui home design, the number of steps in a staircase, peaks on a roof, and other architectural features will often be multiples of 9 to maximize luck.
Having 9 floors in a building is considered ideal in commercial feng shui, as 9 symbolizes prosperity and rising upwards without limit.
Groupings or multiples of 9 stones, plants, animals, or other features are common in Chinese gardens to create an environment of abundance.

Chinese dragons are often depicted with 9 attributes, including 9 claws, 9 horns, 9 scales, and 9 children. This reinforces 9’s mythic importance.
The 9×9 magic square using the numbers 1-9 was thought to have protective, lucky properties in ancient times and was commonly carved into amulets and charms.

In these aspects, we see 9 take on further nuance but remain an enduring symbol of good fortune and positivity across many facets of traditional Chinese culture beyond language.

Regional Variations in China

While 9 is broadly considered lucky across China, some regional and cultural variations exist:

In Cantonese, 9 sounds like the word for “dog” instead of “longevity”. Despite this, 9 remains lucky due to other cultural associations.
In southern Chinese regional traditions like Fujian, odd numbers like 1, 3, 5, 7 are considered lucky rather than even numbers.

Though 9 is lucky for most Chinese people, in some minority ethnic groups like Tibetan and Mongolian cultures 4 or 8 may be considered lucky numbers instead due to different roots.
In very traditional or superstitious settings like gambling halls, other numbers like 2 or 8 might be favored along with 9 for luck, based on different systems.
For business and addresses, 8 is also considered lucky by many Chinese today for sounding like “prosperity” and driving heavier foot traffic.

So while regional and cultural variations exist, they generally do not contradict or overwrite the broader lucky symbolism of the number 9 that permeates most of Chinese culture and tradition.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the number 9 is considered widely lucky in Chinese language and culture. This is due to linguistic associations with longevity, cultural traditions and myths about 9’s propensity for good fortune, and historical numerological concepts. While regional exceptions exist, and 9 does not automatically guarantee luck, its positive and auspicious connotations are virtually unmatched by any other number in China. The number 9’s lucky meanings continue to influence Chinese perspectives and practices related to important life occasions like weddings, births, and business endeavors in modern times.