SQJ Taipei

In the comments, reader Josh Furnal asked:

QUOTE:

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OH, tell me about superstitions in chinese culture. are the numbers 8 and 4 lucky or unlucky? i read an article in class today that talked a bit about chinese superstition. Didn’t know if you knew anything about it…

The short version—–

• The number 4 is unlucky… for the simple reason that it sounds like the word that means “death”. Most (if not all) hospitals do not have a 4th floor. If they are tall enough, they also won’t have a 14th floor… most likely.
• The number 8 would be the most lucky number… 3 is lucky also… 9 is good… 2 is good… and 6 is OK… but 8 is the best. The word for “8″ sounds like the word for “accumulate” or “prosper” so it is usually thought of as a literal money-maker.
• If you click THIS LINK, you’ll see a page full of Beijing Hotels and phone numbers… check out all the 8s, 9s, 2s, 3s and 6s and how few 4s. If one 8 is good… 2 must be better… and 4 is best! Hmmm…. 4 is bad, but 4 8s is good? Guess so.

The long version—– you can read more for yourself, k?
Open this link and scroll down about 1/2 way…
Open this link to read about more superstitions…
Open this link to read even more…
And once you think you are ready… Open this link to take a 10 question quiz…

Thanks for the question Josh…

edit: To add the bullet with the link to the Beijing hotels…