Why give gifts three and not four

Mondo Social Updated on 2024-01-30

Why don't you give four but three, this is a question that involves Chinese culture and traditions. In Chinese culture, numbers have a special symbolic meaning, especially in the important social occasion of gift-giving, and it is very important to choose the right number. In order to explain why gifts are given instead of four, we need to explain it in terms of the symbolism of numbers and the exquisiteness in Chinese culture.

First of all, numbers are good and bad in Chinese culture. The number four is pronounced very close to the character "death" in Chinese, so it is considered an unlucky number. On the contrary, the number three is considered an auspicious number in Chinese culture because it is phonetically close to the character "sheng" and represents life and prosperity. Therefore, in order to avoid giving people ominous associations, it is a traditional practice to choose to give three instead of four when giving gifts.

Secondly, numbers are also associated with some other symbolic meanings in Chinese culture. The number three is seen as a complete and stable number in Chinese culture, and it represents harmony and unity. In a traditional family, three generations living together is considered a happy and beautiful state of life. Therefore, when choosing to give three gifts, it is also hoped to convey the blessings of family harmony and happiness.

In addition, the number three also corresponds to the three talents of heaven, earth and man in Chinese culture. In Chinese philosophy, the three talents of heaven, earth and man are a cosmic concept that represents the operation of the universe and the harmony between human beings and nature. When choosing to give three gifts, it can also be understood as a tribute to the harmony of the universe and the harmony between man and nature.

In addition to some of the above symbolic meanings, there are some other particularities in choosing to give three when giving gifts. For example, in Chinese culture, there is a concept of "treating people with courtesy", that is, treating people with courtesy in social situations and respecting other people's feelings and cultural traditions. In China, gift-giving is an important social etiquette, and choosing the right number is to show respect and care for the other person.

To sum up, why gifts are given instead of four but three involves the symbolism of numbers and some exquisiteness in Chinese culture. The number four, pronounced close to the character "death" in Chinese, is seen as an unlucky number, while the number three is considered an auspicious number and represents life and prosperity. Moreover, the number three is also associated with some symbolic meanings such as family harmony, cosmic harmony, etc. Choosing to give three instead of four is an expression of respect and concern for others, and it is also an act of following Chinese cultural traditions. When giving gifts, it is very important to understand and respect the cultural traditions of the other person, which helps to build good interpersonal relationships and enhance mutual understanding and friendship.

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