Introduction to Feng Shui and House Numbers
Feng Shui, which means “wind” and “water” in Chinese, is an ancient Chinese philosophical system that aims to harmonize individuals with their surrounding environment. It has origins dating back over 3,000 years to various Chinese schools of thought like Taoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism.
In traditional Feng Shui, the orientation of buildings and objects plays a key role in promoting balance and flow of energy, known as “chi”. Practitioners advise on proper placement and arrangement of space to improve health, wealth, and good fortune.
An important Feng Shui principle is that numbers carry their own energy and symbolic meaning. By analyzing house numbers using numerology, adjustments can be made to improve harmony. There are different numerology systems used in Feng Shui:
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Chinese numerology focuses on the symbolic significance of numbers and how their attributes align with life aspects.
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Bagua numerology specifically matches numbers to different aspirations like wealth, health, or relationships.
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In Western numerology, numbers are reduced to single digits revealing personality traits.
The idea is that inauspicious house numbers can be remedied or balanced out, while harmonious numbers can be specifically chosen to enhance positive energy. Proper house numbering is considered crucial for families and businesses to prosper.
Numerology Basics
Numerology is the study of the symbolic meaning of numbers. It is prominent in many cultures and spiritual traditions and has many different schools of thought. The basic premise is that numbers have inherent energies and properties that can influence our lives.
There are several major numerology traditions, including:
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Chaldean Numerology – One of the oldest systems, which originated in ancient Babylon. It focuses on your name and date of birth.
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Pythagorean Numerology – Developed by Greek mathematician Pythagoras. This system reduces everything to numbers 1-9, and studies their meaning.
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Kabbalah Numerology – Derives from Jewish mysticism and also uses the numbers 1-9. Based on Hebrew letters and the meaning of words.
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Chinese Numerology – Uses numbers for divination purposes and avoids inauspicious numbers. Based on Chinese traditions and meaning of numbers.
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Indian Numerology – Part of Indian Vedic traditions. Uses numbers and letters for astrological readings and fortune telling.
A common practice across most numerology systems is to reduce numbers larger than 9 to single digits. This is done by repeatedly adding the digits together until a single number remains. For example, the number 67 would be reduced to 6+7 = 13, then 1+3 = 4. Reducing to a single digit is thought to reveal the root essence or quality of the larger number. When evaluating something like a home address, the digits would each be reduced to find their core numerological value.
Bagua Numerology
In Feng Shui, the Bagua map is used to analyze how different parts of a space connect to various life aspects. Bagua numerology links certain numbers to each area.
The Bagua map divides space into 9 key zones, moving clockwise from the front door:
- Career
- Knowledge
- Family
- Wealth
- Fame
- Relationships
- Children
- Helpful People
- Health
Each zone corresponds with one of the numbers 1 through 9. The characteristics associated with each number influence its corresponding Bagua area:
1 – Connected to the Career zone. The number 1 represents independence, ambition, and leadership. It brings drive and determination.
2 – Connected to the Knowledge zone. The number 2 represents balance, partnership, and diplomacy. It brings intuition and harmony.
3 – Connected to the Family zone. The number 3 represents creativity, self-expression, and optimism. It brings joy and imagination.
4 – Connected to the Wealth zone. The number 4 represents hard work, practicality, and organization. It brings stability and foundation.
5 – Connected to the Fame zone. The number 5 represents adventure, change, and diversity. It brings excitement and freedom.
6 – Connected to the Relationships zone. The number 6 represents love, warmth, and nurturing. It brings compassion and understanding.
7 – Connected to the Children zone. The number 7 represents inner wisdom, spirituality, and integrity. It brings personal growth and enlightenment.
8 – Connected to the Helpful People zone. The number 8 represents authority, success, and abundance. It brings power and influence.
9 – Connected to the Health zone. The number 9 represents completion, generosity, and idealism. It brings harmony and benevolence.
So in Bagua numerology, your home’s number resonates with specific aspects of life based on its Bagua zone. Analyzing the characteristics can reveal areas of balance or imbalance.
Number Symbolism by Culture
Certain numbers are considered lucky or unlucky in different cultures around the world. This extends to home and business addresses, where some numbers are preferred over others based on numerological traditions and superstitions.
Number 4 is widely avoided in Chinese culture, as the word for “four” (四, sì) sounds similar to the word for “death” (死, sǐ). Because of this, addresses and phone numbers containing multiple 4s are seen as bad luck. In Mandarin, the number four is called a “ghost number” and buildings will often skip labeling the 4th floor.
The number 13 is seen as unlucky in Western cultures. This is thought to originate from the Last Supper in Christian tradition, where 13 people (Jesus and his 12 apostles) were present on the night before Jesus’ crucifixion. Hotels and buildings in the West will often skip numbering the 13th floor or room 13 due to superstition. Friday the 13th is considered the unluckiest day of the year.
Other examples of number symbolism around the world include:
- In India, number 7 is considered holy and auspicious.
- Number 9 is lucky in Japan because it sounds similar to the Japanese word for “suffering”, and is seen as being able to overcome it.
- The number 17 is seen as unlucky in Italy because when written as XVII can be rearranged to spell “VIXI” meaning “I have lived” – implying death.
So when choosing addresses and numbers, it helps to be mindful of numerological and cultural preferences in the region. A number considered lucky in one culture may be seen as deeply unlucky in another.
Auspicious House Numbers
In Feng Shui, certain numbers are considered more fortunate than others. Choosing an auspicious house number is believed to bring good luck and positive energy into a home. The most auspicious numbers according to Feng Shui principles are:
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6 and 8 – These numbers represent prosperity and fortune in Feng Shui. The number 6 is associated with easy flow of money and material abundance. The number 8 is seen as the most prosperous number, believed to attract wealth and success. Homes with addresses containing 6 or 8 may benefit from good finances and enrichment.
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2 and 3 – These even numbers are considered very harmonious and peaceful in Feng Shui. They represent balance, gentle energy, cooperation, and contentment. Houses numbered 2 or 3 may cultivate loving relationships, mutual understanding, and tranquil environments.
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5 – This number represents good health and opportunities in Feng Shui. It carries active and vibrant energy said to increase life’s pleasures and experiences. House number 5 is great for dwellings occupied by social people and families.
Other numbers favored in Feng Shui include 1, 4, and 9. Overall, addresses with numbers summing to 6, 8, or 9 are believed to be the most fortunate. Houses numbered 2, 3, or 5 also promise harmony and balance. Choosing an address with multiple lucky numbers can maximize good Feng Shui energy.
Inauspicious House Numbers
In Feng Shui and numerology, certain numbers are considered unlucky or inauspicious for a home. Choosing an inauspicious house number can be detrimental according to some traditions, leading to conflict, financial problems, and overall bad luck. Here are some of the main numbers to be aware of when selecting a house number:
Number 4
The number 4 is avoided in Chinese culture because the word for “four” sounds very similar to the word for “death”. As a result, the number 4 is thought to bring bad luck. Properties with the number 4 anywhere in the address often sell for lower prices in regions like China and Hong Kong where Feng Shui is widely believed.
Number 13
In Western culture, the number 13 is seen as unlucky because it is associated with bad omens, witchcraft, and the devil. The superstitions around this number even led to some buildings skipping the 13th floor completely. Having a 13 anywhere in your home’s address can make the property harder to sell.
Clashing Numbers
In Feng Shui, certain numbers are believed to “clash” with each other and create conflict when paired. The key clashing pairs to avoid are 2 and 7, 3 and 8, and 1 and 9. For example, a house number like 27 would be considered inauspicious because of the clash between 2 and 7. Avoiding clashing numbers is said to minimize conflict and strife within a home.
Overall, being aware of the numerology and symbolism around certain numbers can help you pick an auspicious house number that supports good fortune. Paying attention to inauspicious numbers like 4, 13, and clashing pairs can help align your home with positive energy flows.
Improving Inauspicious Numbers
In Feng Shui, certain house numbers are seen as inauspicious or unlucky based on their numerological meaning. However, there are several remedies and cures within the Feng Shui tradition to counter any negative effects.
The most direct method is to change the inauspicious number to a more suitable one. This could involve simply switching house numbers or even changing the street address if permitted.
For existing houses with an inauspicious number, Feng Shui experts often recommend adding or subtracting a number to change the numerological reduction. For example, number 14, which contains multiple instances of the unlucky number 4, can be altered to number 15 (1+5 = 6) or 13.
If changing the number is not possible, certain symbolic cures can be implemented:
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Hanging a bagua mirror above the front door to reflect negative energy. The eight trigrams on the mirror also provide auspicious symbols.
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Display a pair of Fu Dog guardians or elephant figurines on either side of the entrance to provide protective energy.
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Add a wind chime above the door to diffuse inauspicious vibrations.
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Use a 6-rod wind chime and hang it between the inauspicious number and the front door. The metal rods displace negative energy.
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Place a statue or object made of the five Feng Shui elements near the number plaque to act as a blockade and filter.
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Surround the number with bright lights to illuminate inauspicious energy away.
In the yard or driveway in front of an inauspicious number, additions like fountains, plants, and landscape elements can neutralize unlucky vibrations overall. When choosing remedies, consult a qualified Feng Shui adviser to select the most suitable solutions for your home’s specific energy, layout, and number symbolism.
Choosing a New House Number
If your home has an inauspicious or negative number, you may want to consider legally changing it to a more harmonious one. Here are some tips for selecting a new number using Feng Shui principles:
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Consult Feng Shui experts to determine the best new number for your home based on its direction, layout, and your personal energy profile. An experienced practitioner can assess all these factors.
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Choose a number that invokes positive and uplifting energy according to the numerology traditions discussed earlier. Numbers like 6, 8 and 9 are generally considered lucky and prosperous.
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If possible, opt for a number that is auspicious in both Western and Eastern numerology systems. This satisfies both cultural perspectives.
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Avoid any number or combination of numbers that sound similar to negative words or phrases in any major languages spoken by occupants of the home.
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Consider getting personalized Feng Shui consultations not just for your home’s number, but for overall layout and décor as well. This can enhance the property’s energy further.
The process of legally changing your address number will vary by jurisdiction. In most cases, you will need to submit an application to your municipal planning department with a valid reason for the change. There is usually a small fee involved. You will also have to officially notify organizations like your bank, insurance company, utilities, etc. It may take several weeks to process and update everything. But you’ll gain a more propitious home aligned with Feng Shui principles.
Numerology for Businesses
The principles of numerology and Feng Shui can also be applied when selecting a name or number for your business. Certain numbers are believed to attract and enhance prosperity, success, and growth for a business.
When choosing a business name, it is best to select one that contains auspicious numbers like 6, 8, or 9. These numbers are associated with wealth and good fortune. Names with repeating numbers like 88 or 33 are also considered very fortunate for businesses.
Other favorable numbers include 3, 5, and 7. The number 3 signifies growth and expansiveness. Number 5 relates to change and drive. Number 7 connects to spirituality and inner wisdom.
Some numbers should generally be avoided in business names and phone numbers. Number 4 has a similar sound to the word “death” in Chinese and other Asian languages, so it is best to avoid this number.
The number 13 is seen as very unlucky in Western cultures, so it should be avoided in business names and branding if you are catering primarily to a Western audience.
When selecting a new business name or phone number, be mindful of the numerological significance and choose numbers that will attract positivity. Consulting a Feng Shui expert can help guide you in choosing the most fitting and prosperous number for your business.
##Conclusion
In Feng Shui principles, house numbers carry meaning and energy that can impact our lives. Though different traditions exist, numerology often connects numbers to aspects of our lives and gives them corresponding characteristics.
Key highlights include:
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Numerology reduces house numbers to single digits, each associated with areas like family, health, career, etc.
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In Chinese-style Bagua, numbers are mapped to specific life areas as per the Bagua map. Each has linked energies and symbols.
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Some numbers like 4 and 13 are seen as unlucky in different cultures. Others like 8 and 9 are more auspicious.
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You can improve inauspicious numbers via Feng Shui cures like lights, colors, symbols of missing elements.
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It is possible to legally change your house number if needed. New businesses should select numbers wisely.
Understanding the numerology and symbolism of house numbers gives useful insight into how our living and work space impacts harmony and success. Further learning can be found in books, blogs and with professional Feng Shui consultants. With mindfulness, we can improve energy flow in our surroundings.