3 Most people believe in the adage that “all good things come in threes.” This is particularly true in Sweden, where people consider the 3 as a very lucky number. It is considered as the luckiest number in Korea. The association is different to what the people in Sweden believe. In Korea, the number three symbolizes control over ground and heaven because 1 represents the sky while 2 represents the earth. So adding the two numbers produces 3.

4 The Chinese consider the number four an unlucky number since its Chinese pronunciation sounds like the Chinese term for ”death.” Therefore, buildings in China do not have a fourth floor, well, not physically, but in the buildings’ elevators, number 4 is not included. Instead, they use the letter F. The same belief is true in Japan and South Korea, and other Asian countries where Chinese is spoken.

6 In Cantonese 6 sounds like "good fortune" or "happiness" (祿, 樂 Cantonese Yale: lok6). Therefore six is considered a good number for business.

7 In countries like Japan and China, the favorability of a number usually comes from the way it is pronounced or how it sounded in the local language. But in Korea, a number is considered lucky because of its concept. For example, 7 means lucky, which is why it is used frequently in the gambling areas in the country.

8 Many religions around the world, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Taoism consider 8 an auspicious number. Chinese people are particularly fond of the number 8. The number translates to bā, which sounds like the Chinese word fā, which means to generate wealth. The association of the number 8 with wealth is very strong in China that properties with the number 8 are considered highly valuable possessions.

9 The sound of the number 9 in Japan is very similar to the Japanese term for ”torture.” It’s avoided because it is considered an unlucky number. Airlines and hospitals in Japan avoid the number for this reason.

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