Abstinence from Using the Number 4
In Japan, the number “four” is meticulously avoided due to its phonetic similarity to the word for death, rendering it an unlucky number akin to the Western cultural aversion to the number “thirteen.” The act of giving or receiving items in sets of four is generally avoided as it can be construed as an ill omen. This cultural practice of avoiding the number “four” is known as “Tetraphobia.”
In some instances, this aversion to the number “four” extends to building labels, where you may find elevators omitting a fourth floor and, in extreme cases, avoiding floors numbered 40 to 49. The significance of this superstition underscores the importance of cultural nuances in Japan.
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