SuperstitionsNine, Tata, Tony

Superstitions in Numbers

Who shares it

• All over the world – personal lucky and unlucky numbers

• Common global beliefs – e.g. 13 is unlucky• Asian communities have many superstitions

with numbers • Thai and Chinese superstitions

Why is it Intermediate Level?

Thai Culture – odd numbers are lucky• Symbols: 9 can be translated to mean "to enter” and is close

to the word "rice”• Meanings: “Kgao na” – progress, “Kao”

Chinese Culture – 2 and 8 are the most lucky; 4 is the most unlucky• Symbols: 8 sounds similar to the word “prosper”• Meanings: “fā” – prosper or wealth

Norms: Lottery, license plate, phone numbers

What does it show?

• Numbers could signify many positive and negative aspects of life.

• Apart from hard work and determination, people also valued luck for their successes and prosperity in life.

• High values.

Deep-level Culture source

• No clear source• Beliefs could have originated long ago, passed

down through generations• A group of people valued luck and prosperity

through numbers, popularity grew• Evidence: Chinese calendar dates, addresses

Conflicts

• Multi-racial communities• Thai-Chinese – disagreeing on which numbers

are valued • Too superstitious on numbers – can result in

loss of money and effort (e.g. lottery, money bets)

Superstitions in Northeastern Thailand

Who shares it

• Northeast area of Thailand– Sometimes also in central Thailand

• Common in rural/dry areas• Agricultural culture

Why is it Intermediate Level?

Rain – Purity, Goodness• Believed to be gifts from the god of rain• Shoot rockets to the sky as a signal for need to the god

Lack of Rain – Degradation of humans• Must plead with the divine powers for rain (essential for

agricultural-centered communities)

Cat – Hate water, “Meow” when rains• Spray cat with water so it cries out → rain

What does it show?

• Value placed on agriculture• Adaptation of the belief system to fit:

- agricultural culture- local climate

• Sense of community

Deep-level Culture source

• Animism – There are spirits in every element of nature

• Supernatural happenings• Well-beings of human beings are influenced

by higher powers

Conflicts

• Animal cruelty?• Pointless?• Western perspective: – Scientific explanations– Scientific methods to solve drought problems

By Tony Remmel

Georgetown China Brawl

• National pride-• To Americans the game was seen of more of just a friendly match but to

the Chinese this was less important.• The Chinese use sports to promote diplomacy, at times that has been

affected by violent flare-ups by players and fans.

• American/China relations-• The Americans where there for a friendly match that where doing a good

will match tour.• They want to win and one punch starts, an all out fight.

• Face-• When there was a incident on a court, the Chinese player felt they lost

face which then lead him to retaliate in order to regain some face

Deep Level Cultural Aspect

• The Americans came there for good will publicity in China.• The Chinese wanted to win to lose was to lose face which is a

huge issue in China.• These two opposing mind sets contradicted on the court and

only took a minor incident to spark a major brawl

How might it cause Conflict?

Two sides of the conflict• Americans• Were there for a

friendly match• Collegiate basketball

players

• Chinese • There for a friendly

match but national pride was on the line

• Chinese army team

• Wanting to win• It was supposed to be a friendly match but national pride was

on the line• Student athlete vs Army Athlete• Different socioeconomic statuses of opposing teams• Rich vs poor• The idea of face really affected the Chinese.

Why is it Intermediate Level?

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESlELgJYqNo&feature=related

Video