Video Group: The "Value" of Numbers

[Rob_Hugo@PortNW]

Alex and Bev,

Here are the notes I have from the meeting.

 Symmetry in architecture, shapes, caves,
 Symbolism in numbers and how it affects architecture,
street numbers, hotel rooms, zodiac, advertising, …
 Chinese units, many, more….
 How are things packaged? How many in a box – dozen? 8 to a box?
 How is math taught in schools? Do they use an abacus?
 Numbers in groupings
 Games with numbers
 Metric system, calendars, money,
 Music – beats and numbers of beats (4/4 time?)
 Questions are students ask:
1. Great Wall, how many workers
2. How many bricks?
3. How long
4. How many steps in the Forbidden City?, Golden knobs, …

I look forward to working with you both,
Barb

[Anonymous]

I mentioned an article on the study tour thread, here is what it said about numbers.

15. Chinese superstitions and numbers

Many Chinese people are superstitious about numbers. The number 4 in Chinese rhymes with "death" or "failure." Many people try very hard to not have their house numbers or telephone numbers to contain the numeral 4. And the number 14 is worse. The Chinese for 14 rhymes with "sure to fail, sure to die."

The numbers 3 and 8 are good numbers. The number 3 in Chinese rhymes with "growth," which is therefore very welcome to business people. The number 8 rhymes with the Chinese word for "prosperity." The number 168 reads in Chinese to sound like "forever prosperous," a definite crowd pleaser. It is not an accident that the telephone number of the Hyatt Hotel in China is: 888-8888.

[Anonymous]

Alex and Bev,

Here is another article clip. It comes from: Chinese Business Etiquette and Culture
by

Kevin B. Bucknall

found at:

http://www.bosonbooks.com/boson/nonfiction/china/chinasample.html

The number superstitions
Numbers have a special significance to Chinese. Most Cantonese believe that numbers 4, 44, 444 and so on are very bad, as they are a homonym for death; they would not buy a motor car with such a licence plate or stay in a hotel room with such a number. Eight is however seen as good and the more eights the better. A good recent example is provided by Yaohan, a Japanese department store that opened in Beijing in 1992. More or less as a joke, the person in charge of the pens labelled a rather splendid 14-carat gold pen for sale at 88,888 yuan (approximately $11,000). The lucky numbers worked – he not only got that amount, but it was the first pen sold!

In traditional China, the odd numbers were traditionally seen as masculine and the even ones as feminine, which meant in a society with a strong preference for boys, odd numbers were generally preferred. Three is a good lucky number as is five, which is probably connected with an old belief in five elements, five grains and five tastes as well as the old Imperial ranking system of officials. Seven is also often seen as a lucky number, as are multiples of it such as 14, 21, or 35. Nine was an extremely lucky number, and 81, the square of nine particularly so; on your travels you might notice that almost all ancient gates in China have eighty-one stud heads on them. At weddings in some parts of China, as part of social custom the groom was forced to pay sums of money to the bridesmaids in order to get to see his bride. He handed it over in multiples of nine.

Barb

[Anonymous]

Alex and Bev,

You've got to read this one too.

http://www.apmforum.com/columns/china17.htm

Barb

[Anonymous]

Man Barb!!!

I thought I was on top of things by starting a thread....then I check and you've already beat me to it. Thanks. I'll read through all the stuff you posted.

[Anonymous]

Hi Barb and Alex!

O.K. I guess we are going to be the Number Nerds ! (This name is negotiable.) I think we can have fun with this topic. Barb, thanks for listing our discussion ideas. I think we will have to limit it to two or three of these topics. I'm fascinated by the symbolism in numbers and how it affects Chinese architecture, street numbers, hotel rooms, etc. How about wedding days, graduations, other celebrations? How about 4th grade? Bummer of a year! Do the kids go from 3rd to 5th grade? I think it is interesting that many buildings go from the 12th floor to the 15th floor so they can eliminate the unlucky numbers 13 and 14.

Let's keep posting our ideas. Bev ( Number 18 )

[Anonymous]

Hi Barb and Alex,

I talked to an Asian parent today and learned some interesting info about numbers. She also said that 4 is unlucky because it phonetically sounds like "death". When you make a reservation at a restaurant for a party of 4 you say " we have 3 plus 1 in our party" so you can avoid saying 4.

Weddings - Forget the Gift Registry. Just give CASH! The amount should end in 6 which means wishing you good luck or good life. The monetary gift is put in a red envelope.

Red Envelopes - Also given to children on New Year's Day. These envelopes always contain an even amount of money. Children receive these envelopes until they are married. Then they start giving their parents red envelopes!

Continue the number search. Bev

[Anonymous]

Alex and Bev,

Have either of you started filling out the handout that Barbara gave us? I have one and was looking at it, but wanted some input.

Barb

[Anonymous]

Barb-
I'm up late, finished my lesson plans, have most of my packing done and now I'm ready to take on a new challenge. I guess that challenge would be finding the handout that Barbara gave us! I know we've talked about our"Movie Performance" but I think the Number group will have to have a meeting of the minds during our 15 hour flight. Bev

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