17 is an unlucky number in Italy, probably because in Roman digits 17 is written XVII, that could be rearranged to "VIXI", which in Latin means "I have lived" but can be a euphemism for "I am dead."
In Japan, it's the number 4. This is because one way of saying the word for "4" is "shi". Written with a different kanji, the pictogram writing symbols that the Japanese have adopted and adapted from China, the word "shi" means death. So there are many buildings in Japan without a 4th floor. This link says that 9 is also considered unlucky, though I didn't hear anyone say that while I was there.
In Japan, it's the number 4. This is because one way of saying the word for "4" is "shi". Written with a different kanji, the pictogram writing symbols that the Japanese have adopted and adapted from China, the word "shi" means death. So there are many buildings in Japan without a 4th floor. This link says that 9 is also considered unlucky, though I didn't hear anyone say that while I was there.
ReplyDeletehttp://japanese.about.com/blqow7.htm
I either already covered 4, or have one in the queue to post.
DeleteI either already covered 4, or have one in the queue to post.
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