The Meaning Behind the Numbers in Chinese Quiz

Answer: Beginning

"Ling" means the beginning or the start of anything which is considered auspicious. There is an old Chinese saying which states "Everything starts from zero".

Answer: Incomplete

"One" is neutral: neither auspicious nor inauspicious. It is associated with unity, harmony, independent, complete and infinite. But it can also mean single or loneliness. "November 11 is designated as "Singles' Day" in China, as there are four "ones" (11/11).

Answer: Wedding

This number is usually considered auspicious, as it suggests harmony. There is an old Chinese saying which states "All good things come in pairs". Double happiness, pronounced "shuangxi", usually refers to a wedding. This word is usually displayed at the front door of the houses of the couples. Decorations during the Lunar New Year are set out in pairs, such as couplets hanging on the two sides of the main door.

Answer: To live

"Sheng" means to live or life. This is generally considered an auspicious number. This number also means "many" and "stability". In feng shui, 3 has a natural resonance in terms of beginning, middle and end. It also signifies introduction, development and conclusion. Good examples are the Three Kingdoms Period in history, the Three Gorges Dam and the three halls of the Forbidden City.

Answer: Death

Four is the most inauspicious number, not only in China but in most East Asian countries, because it sounds like death. This number is usually omitted in house or door numbers. In a high rise building, numbers 4 and 14 are usually omitted, including in some cases 13, because 1+3=4.

Answer: Me

This number is neutral, neither auspicious nor inauspicious. "Wu" sounds like "me". For example, 53 is "wu san" means "my life" and 54 is "wu shi" means "my death". In the case of 58, it is "wu fa" means I prosper. So five could be also an auspicious number.

In Chinese philosophy, there are the five elements: water, fire, earth, wood and metal, which is associated with the Emperor. There are five arches in the main gate of the Forbidden City.

Answer: Flow

Generally, six is considered an auspicious number. "Liu" sounds like flow, slick or smooth. In Cantonese, six is pronounced as "lok", meaning good fortune or happiness. There is a Chinese proverb "liu liu da shun" meaning everything will go smoothly, which is an auspicious term for business.

Answer: Arise

"Qi" means arise, life essence, holiness and mystery. It is generally considered an auspicious number, except in the seventh month of the lunar calendar as this period is known as the "ghost month". It is also sometimes inauspicious as "qi" also sounds like deceive.

Answer: Prosper

"Ba" sounds like "fa" which means to get rich. This auspicious number is usually sold at a high price for plate number on car, telephone number etc. Sichuan Airlines bought phone number +86 28 8888 8888 at a price of US$280,000 in 2003. Many airline flight numbers to China start with 8. In 2008, the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics started on 8 August, 8.08 pm.

Answer: Emperor

"Jiu" means longevity and eternality. This number is historically associated with the Emperor of China. Officials were ranked according to a nine-ranked system. Rewards were based on nine types of bestowments. Criminal who committed serious a crime such as treason could be sentenced to the "nine familial" extermination. That means punishment handed out to the nine levels of relatives of the criminal.

There were nine dragons on the robes on the Emperor.