The number “4” is considered inauspicious by many Chinese because it sounds like “death”, especially in the Cantonese, Hokkien & Teochew dialects. Yet, someone spent a fortune to keep such a number – according to a news article with this heading a few months ago:
Unlucky Number Plate Sells For £65,000!
"A woman from Hong Kong has paid £65,000 for the number plate 4444, despite the fact that in China the number four is considered unlucky. The number plate was sold at a government auction along with a further 270 unusual number plates. "
http://www.prlog.org/10078948-unlucky-number-plate-sells-for-65-000.html
Unlucky Number Plate Sells For £65,000!
"A woman from Hong Kong has paid £65,000 for the number plate 4444, despite the fact that in China the number four is considered unlucky. The number plate was sold at a government auction along with a further 270 unusual number plates. "
http://www.prlog.org/10078948-unlucky-number-plate-sells-for-65-000.html
My car registration number not only has two 4’s but also ends with a “C” (sounds like “die” in Hokkien)!
There are many things that come in fours, for example:
The 4 gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John)
The 4 temperaments (Melancholic, Choleric, Sanguine, Phlegmatic)
The 4 elements (Air, Fire, Earth, Water)
The 4 seasons (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter)
The 4 regions of the earth (North, South, East, West)
The 4 divisions of the day (Morning, Noon, Evening, Midnight)
The 4 heroes of Marvel Comic (Fantastic Four)
The 4 temperaments (Melancholic, Choleric, Sanguine, Phlegmatic)
The 4 elements (Air, Fire, Earth, Water)
The 4 seasons (Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter)
The 4 regions of the earth (North, South, East, West)
The 4 divisions of the day (Morning, Noon, Evening, Midnight)
The 4 heroes of Marvel Comic (Fantastic Four)
