I've been thinking… [oh-oh]
This has been a bad year. Well, that's an understatement. I won't do details, we all know where we are.
So, this theory is that it's all in the numbers.
This is a "4" year. Most East Asian cultures [Chinese, Japanese, Korean...] believe this number is unlucky. Apparently the way they pronounce "4" is close or identical to the pronunciation of "death."
This tetraphobia is so common in China that most elevators will not include the number, nor will license plates, house numbers, phone numbers, and many other official and unofficial items.
We can't really compare such a reaction to the Western belief that "13" is an unlucky number. Although I did once work in a building on the 14th floor, then realized I was actually on the 13th floor BECAUSE the elevator did not show the number 13!
Now I don't know if I should worry or wonder – I was born in a "4" year! Has this number dictated my life? Should I be glad that I stand outside of these Asian cultures?
I turned to Western numerology, where the number 4 is considered a friendly, life affirming number, a much nicer belief, but one that doesn't quite match up to this 4 year.
Now we look forward to the year 2021, a "5" year. From what I could find, it stands for stability, curiosity, freedom, change... A better year on the horizon!
And I need to finish this now and publish it while it still is Friday the 13th!
Am I a superstitious fool? Well, coming from a family who for many years believed strongly in numerology, numbers intrigue me. Do I believe in this? That's a question for the ages.
--Cat
