Lucky and Unlucky Numbers Around the World

Tap a number to see what it means in that culture.

Korea, China, Japan — Number 4

In Chinese-character-using cultures, the number 4 is often avoided because it sounds similar to the word for "death," leading many hospitals and apartment buildings to label the 4th floor as "F" instead.

The West — Number 13

Considered unlucky for several reasons, including the tradition that 13 people were present at the Christian Last Supper — it's common for Western hotels and buildings to skip labeling a 13th floor entirely.

The West — Number 7

Long regarded as a symbol of religious completeness, it's also treated as a lucky number and appears frequently on casino slot machines and similar symbols of fortune.

China — Number 8

Because "8" sounds similar to the word for "prosper" in Chinese, it's highly favored — phone numbers or license plates containing lots of 8s can sell for a premium.

Japan — Number 9

Because "9" sounds similar to the word for "suffering" in Japanese, it's avoided alongside the number 4, especially in places like hospitals.

Korea — Number 3

Long regarded as a symbol of completeness and stability, as reflected in the traditional Korean phrase for "three times is the charm."

Most Number Superstitions Start With Pronunciation

Both the avoidance of 4 across East Asia and China's preference for 8 mostly trace back to how those numbers sound similar to other words (death, prosperity) in the local language. Beliefs rooted in this kind of wordplay end up having real practical effects, from building floor numbering to phone number preferences.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do buildings really skip the 4th or 13th floor?

Yes — some apartments and hospitals in Korea label the 4th floor as "F" instead, and it's genuinely common for many Western hotels to skip numbering a 13th floor, jumping straight from 12 to 14.

Is there any scientific basis for these number superstitions?

No — they stem purely from linguistic associations and cultural tradition, with no scientific basis whatsoever.