Because Japanese word for "four" sounds exactly like the word for "death" and they consider "nine" to be unlucky, as it sounds like the word for "suffering," there are no rooms numbered 4 or 9 in many hospitals and hotels in Japan.
Western culture's fear of number 13 is evident enough to acquire a name triskaidekaphobia, while tetraphobia is the aversion or fear of number 4, and enneaphobia, the fear of number 9.
12 comments:
you forgot the "s"...
fr. Greek tris (three); kai (and); deka (ten) + phobia...hence, triskaidekaphobia - the fear of the number 13. I won't forget this word because I answered it corrctly when I was a quiz show contestant during my college days ( and, I won, hehehe)
Yeah, I missed the "s". Thanks, I updated the entry immediately.
Buildings and elevators here do not have No. 13.
We have in our office Room 1-313. The locals are very supersitious, too. Nobody would like to use the room. It serves as my filing and printing room.
I am very superstitious, and 13 is not a lucky number for me ha ha ha!!!
hey, i agree. chinese and koreans (japanese's cousins) are in the same way superstitious about number 4 being an unlucky number. i just wonder if they ever celebrate their 4th bday or anniversary? or maybe i am just weird for asking that. LOL.
@ Joe
Who wouldn't be. We grew up believing that 13 is very unlucky number, superstitios about black cat crossing our path, etc.
@ happytrails
Thanks a heap for the visit and for leaving a comment. Yes, I read about Chinese and Koreans have the same notions about Nos. 4 and 9.
@ happytrails
Thanks a heap for the visit and for leaving a comment. Yes, I read about Chinese and Koreans have the same notions about Nos. 4 and 9.
Are there other number phobias that you know?
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