An understanding of numerology will yield insights into
why certain days and numbers are considered auspicious and
what should be avoided or sought. For example, according to
Chinese numerology, the number 8 (ba) brings luck
because it sounds like part of to get rich (fa cai) in Chinese,
which is why the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics
will begin on August 8, 2008 at 8 pm. On the other hand,
the numbers 4 and 14, which sound like death and
want death in Chinese, should be avoided if possible, as
they are considered unlucky. In the United States, many
buildings skip the thirteenth floor. In China, many buildings
skip the fourth and fourteenth floors. In another example, a
US company in Hong Kong was dumbfounded when it
received very few calls after its grand opening. That was
explained by its phone number, 414-1414, which in Chinese
sounded like death, want death, want death, want death,
and few Chinese would dare dial those numbers.