The Comparison of Number Culture in English and Chinese,------------Designed by Jeremy Wang from Central South University,,,Number 1,The meaning of “1” is almost the same in both Chinese and English culture. 1. It is the starting point of all things all over the world. In Huai Nanzi, it says: “1” is the root and nature of everything.(《淮南子》有语“一也者，万物之本也) In western culture, “1” represents the originality instead of the produce. And it belongs to the field of Sun(属于太阳的领域) .,2. It is the symbol of our achievements, status and honor. No. 1 is the target of many successful people who wants to stand at the pinnacle(顶点) of career and life and always be the blessed one of God(天之骄子). For example, the Olympic Games, the gold medal means first, thus all the athletes spend countless efforts for it regardless of their nationality; it not only represents the participants’ highest ability and the achievement, but also brings great glory to the winner’s country and people.,Number 2,In Chinese culture, “2” is an even number, conveying the meaning of the “double”. Chinese people always expect good things to come in pairs(好事成双), so “2” is a popular and auspicious （吉利的）number. For example: 1. “喜喜” will be posted on the walls and rooms during marriage days, which means “happiness comes in company”. 2. When we praise others, we will say she is endowed with both beauty and talent(才貌双全) or he is an expert in both literature and military realms(文武双全).,In the west, “2“ is the first even number with negative nature or qualities (阴性) as it belongs to the field of the moon(属于月亮的领域). This is the first number related to three-dimensional space. “2” is divisible and cannot symbolize the soul or spirit except material or physical things.,Number 3,,“3” has been attached great significance in Chinese culture. From our ancient Chinese perspective, the character “三” means the harmony of the heaven, the earth and human beings. (在汉语中上横代表天，下横代表地，中间代表人，即天地人为一体。
) Ancient people thought that all the numbers are generated from one, ended with ten, and fulfilled by three.(数字始于一，终于十，成于三),Besides, we have many ideas about three. Such as: the three lives (the previous life, this life, and the afterlife (前生、今生、来生为三生)； 2. three moral principles(三纲): ruler guides subjects, father guides son, husband guides wife. 3. three generations: father, son, and grandson(父子孙为三族) 4. three religions(三教) : Confucianism(儒教), Buddhism(佛教), and Taoism(道教).,5. it has the meaning of auspiciousness and longevity as a lucky number, such as: 1) Three Rams Bring Bliss (三羊开泰); 2) Three durable plants of winter (岁寒三友) -- pine, bamboo and plum blossom. However, the pronunciation of “三” is similar with “ 散” (separation), we should be cautious to use it in many happy situations, especially wedding occasions.,“3” is respected in western culture. It is an odd number with positive nature or qualities (阳性). It is the symbol of reproductive ability and belongs to the field of Mars(属于火星的领域). Pythagoras, the philosopher of ancient Greece, called 3 “the perfect number”. According to the ancient Greek Mythology, the universe is governed by three Gods, namely, Jupiter (the Main God), Neptune (God of the Sea), and Pluto (God of Death)。
The trinity（三位一体） in Christian refers to the union of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.,“4” in Chinese culture contains conflicting cultural meanings, we say: 1. “Men will not be confused in his forties”, which associates age with wisdom; 2. The seniors expect four generations under the roof together(四世同堂); 3. Cities seek for a transportation system extending in all directions(四通八达) Number 4,Most of the time, however, the Chinese the number “4” is a taboo(禁忌) due to its similar pronunciation with “死”(death). So hospitals do not arrange beds numbered “4” ; the hotels have no room and floors labeled number “4” .,“4” conveys some bad meanings in most cases in western culture, such as: 1. “ the fourth” is the euphemistic expressions of the toilet. 2. “ four-letter words” means vulgar words in America. 3.“404” refers to people who is confused and knows little of a particular thing. e.g. He is a total 404 and don't talk to him.,Number 5,In the Chinese culture and life, “5“ is an widely-applied number owning to its extending cultural value. 1. “the five elements“ : gold, wood, water, fire and earth(五行). 2. “the five ethical relations “ : monarch and his subjects, father and son, brothers, husband and wife , and friends(“五伦”：封建礼教指君臣、父子、兄弟、夫妇、朋友五种伦理关系).,在中国古代，“五”指金、木、水、火、土；与此同时，“五”也与中国传统文化密切相关，诸如五行、五福临门、五方保护神、五湖四海等等。
进一步说，用数字“五”代表东西南北中五方，是中国一项非常悠久的文化传统现在，北京奥运吉祥物选择五个福娃，既可与奥运会标志五环相呼应之外，又符合中国人口众多、历史悠久、文化丰富的国情5”=3+2. In the West , “3” is the number of positive qualities and “2” of negative qualities. “5” belongs to the field of Jupiter(5属于木星的领域). Friday has long been considered unlucky as it has some bad associations. 1. According to the Bible, the Lord God created the first man Adam. And he took a rib from Adam to create Eve-the first woman. And it is said 。