Asian superstitions

I'm curious about the superstitions of Asian gamblers and I figure this would be a good place to ask some questions. For example, I've heard that 8 is a lucky number and white is the color of death but I've yet to find a reasonably complete list of what numbers, colors, sounds, and shapes/symbols are considered especially lucky or unlucky by gamblers. I'm also wondering if there are any regional differences (e.g., if whats considered lucky in China is unlucky in Japan or Korea). Any insights or observations?

What I learned growing up is that 8 and 9 are lucky, and 28, 88, and 99 are especially lucky. Red is the color of blood and life, and is lucky.

The number 4 sounds like "death," and is unlucky. White symbolizes death, so it's unlucky.

I personally think some ancient people had too much time on their hands.

More info on Numbers in Chinese culture

I had never heard that 7 is supposedly unlucky among Malaysian Chinese

Here's some unsubstantiated info on lucky/unlucky numbers in China, Korea and Japan. Interestingly, they don't even issue license plates with the number 4 on them in China to avoid complaints.

Quote: Ayecarumba

Here's some unsubstantiated info on lucky/unlucky numbers in China, Korea and Japan. Interestingly, they don't even issue license plates with the number 4 on them in China to avoid complaints.

Interesting that this presentation says that in China 3 is unlucky while the sources referenced by smoothgrh say it's lucky.

So far all the references seem to focus mainly on numbers and their similarity with various words. What about shapes or symbols? In western culture we've got lucky horseshoes and 4-leaf clovers but so far I've seen nothing similar in the Asian cultures. Would, for example, a triangle or a square have some significance because it resembles some pictogram?

I think the slideshow indicated Chinese numbers are lucky/unlucky because they sound similar to words, while the Korean's approach them as resembling other words.

As for other things that offer "luck", the online "Feng Shui Mall", can hook you up with something for everything. It costs a lot to be superstitious. However, I think the idea of "luck" transcends cultures and goes to a base belief that we can influence the physical world by possessing objects with "spiritual energy", performing rituals, or saying incantations.

I see statues of frogs with open mouths, cats with one paw raised, dragons, fat Buddahs, "money" trees (a tree with fruit or leaves that resemble coins), and amulets with some inscription posted over or near the door/cash register of many Asian owned businesses. If you go to Asia, there is a large industry of "charm" sellers outside of the myriad temples that dot the landscape. Pay a fee to have bad spirits exercised, good luck, fertility, love, or good health... you can even pay to shake a can full of sticks until one falls out with your fortune on it. I think we call that "Magic 8 Ball" in the USA.

If the Asian market wasn't so big to Las Vegas, I am sure there would be more "lucky charms" from whatever culture was spending the money... Remember "Fitzgerald's" Pot o' Gold, the "Golden Goose" or "Alladin's Magic Lamp". What about the missing 13th floor on many elevators? I don't think the US is so different.

Asians are superstitious because they needed to have some type of reasoning for everything that had occurred in their lives. The government controlled them so much that they did not feel like that had any purpose or say in the future of their being. They had little hope to better themselves or further their careers. They believed that their destiny was predetermined. But thanks to the internet, knowledge of reality, and more global opportunity , Asians have hope for better lives. The worst thing that could have happened to the Chines government was the internet. Now the people know everything!

Quote: WatchMeWin

Asians are superstitious because they needed to have some type of reasoning for everything that had occurred in their lives. The government controlled them so much that they did not feel like that had any purpose or say in the future of their being. They had little hope to better themselves or further their careers. They believed that their destiny was predetermined. But thanks to the internet, knowledge of reality, and more global opportunity , Asians have hope for better lives. The worst thing that could have happened to the Chines government was the internet. Now the people know everything!

The "spiritual" world still permeates modern Asia. Annual "festivals" are steeped in superstition... eat certain foods (in with the lucky, avoid the unlucky), wear certain things (red strings, jade, etc.), perform certain actions (e.g., clean the house, light incense, visit the cemetery). These persist around the world, despite the enlightenment of the internet. I believe it is a common human thing that, even sub-consciously, recognizes the existence of more than the physical world.

Here's a link to an unsubstantiated research paper comparing the origins of Korean and Chinese "lucky" numbers.

My mother was Chinese
But
She was not into gambling

Regarding luck, all she told me to do was eat noodles on my birthday. She said it will bring me good luck
That's it. She really wasn't superstitious.
I always have noodles on my birthday :-)

Earlier in this thread, I saw that white was considered unlucky
weird
Because at weddings in Japan
The traditional bride will often use white makeup on their face

Quote: WatchMeWin

Asians are superstitious because they needed to have some type of reasoning for everything that had occurred in their lives.

Is what we call religion now.

Quote: terapined

My mother was Chinese
But
She was not into gambling

Regarding luck, all she told me to do was eat noodles on my birthday. She said it will bring me good luck
That's it. She really wasn't superstitious.
I always have noodles on my birthday :-)

Earlier in this thread, I saw that white was considered unlucky
weird
Because at weddings in Japan
The traditional bride will often use white makeup on their face

How about red envelopes for the kids?

As for the color white, it is akin to dressing the dead guy's body in a black suit in the casket. Dead bodies were adorned with white robes, so wearing white is considered unlucky... Having white skin however is a sign of prosperity and beauty as it indicates that you do not have to work outside in the sun.

it just occurred to me that what the girl was trying to say before she cracks up is "superstitious" !!

Vegas Baccarat tables do not have a seat posiition marked 'four'. The Chinese Games area in virtually all casinos is predominantly themed red, the entranceway is often an archway that is high and faces DUE NORTH. When Orientals build their own bars/restaurants/gaming parlors Red is major theme atmosphere is subdued.

Quote: FleaStiff

Vegas Baccarat tables do not have a seat posiition marked 'four'.

Motorcity Casino does.

So far I'm hearing that red is lucky and white is unlucky, at least as far as China goes. Anybody know if any significance is attached to other primary colors (i.e., green, blue, yellow)? I don't recall hearing of any but it would seem likely (e.g yellow is color of gold so maybe its considered good luck?)

Quote: terapined

My mother was Chinese
But
She was not into gambling

Regarding luck, all she told me to do was eat noodles on my birthday. She said it will bring me good luck
That's it. She really wasn't superstitious.
I always have noodles on my birthday :-)

I think I heard somewhere that the length of the noodles was an indication of how long you will live.

dont park on the 4th floor of any casino you're guaranteed to lose

They got some wonky superstition about always smoking in a casino 24/7 or something like that. I think it brings them good luck. And they can't put out a fire, but must let it go out on its own.

Some of them eat cats and dogs. At least that's what my Asian friend tells me. He says on the weekends to make extra money, he goes around town picking up strays and delivers them to Asian stores & restaurants (whichever ones have high demand). IIRC, cats and dogs are a symbol of good luck (why else would you eat a cat or dog if not for good luck)?

I love all the superstition and pomp and circumstance that goes on when Asians play Baccarat.

Quote: TigerWu

I love all the superstition and pomp and circumstance that goes on when Asians play Baccarat.

Such as??

Quote: TumblingBones

Such as??

Here's an article about it. I've read other articles that go into more detail and talk about "points" and "legs" and other stuff but I can't seem to find the links right now...

Apparently there are no bounds to what people will regard as a good luck charm. Police in India have broken up a ring selling endangered monitor lizard penises as good luck charms (BBC story)

Good grief.

No need to use French Ticklers with those bad boys.

I've never understood our fascination with linking luck and a rabbit's foot. After all, if you've got his foot, that rabbit sure wasn't too lucky.

Quote: TigerWu

Here's an article about it. I've read other articles that go into more detail and talk about "points" and "legs" and other stuff but I can't seem to find the links right now...

Hey, I found that other article I was talking about!

Good stuff...