Think of lucky numbers. Maybe it’s your birthday, your jersey number, or just a number that seems to pop up when good things happen. In the West, 7 is often considered a lucky number, hitting the jackpot and all that jazz.
But hop over to Japan, and things get a little…well, less clear-cut when it comes to the number 7.
Seven: A Mixed Bag in Japan
Is 7 unlucky in Japan? The answer is complicated.
On one hand, it's considered a lucky number! You'll find it all over the place – on slot machines and linked to the Seven Lucky Gods (Shichi Fukujin) who bring fortune and happiness.
These deities are often depicted riding on a treasure ship, bringing wealth, longevity, and good cheer.
So far so good, right?
The Shadow Side of Seven
Here's where things get interesting. Sometimes, 7 can be a bit…awkward. It isn't considered unlucky, it simply has a different meaning in particular contexts.
In Japan, there are traditional memorial services held after a person passes away. These occur on specific anniversaries after the death.
The most significant of these ceremonies happens 49 days after death, or the seventh 7-day period. 7 here marks an important and final transition.
Imagine trying to explain this nuance to someone just learning about Japanese culture! It's like saying, "Hey, 7 is lucky…except when it's about death. Then it's…important?"
This association with memorial services might be a reason why some people feel hesitant using the number 7 in certain celebratory contexts.
Luck, Superstition, and a Whole Lot of Culture
The perceived “luck” or “unluck” of a number is deeply intertwined with cultural beliefs, language, and history.
For example, the number 4 (shi) is widely considered unlucky because it sounds like the word for death. You’ll often see buildings skipping the fourth floor for this reason!
7 does not have that specific linguistic association with bad luck.
So, is 7 unlucky? Not really, but it does carry some baggage due to its association with memorial services. It's more like a number with a *story*.
Numbers aren't inherently lucky or unlucky. It's the stories we tell about them that give them power.
In the end, whether you see 7 as lucky or not in Japan is a matter of personal perspective. You might want to think twice when you see the 777 on the pachinko machine.
Maybe stick with the Seven Lucky Gods, just to be safe!
Ultimately, numbers, like travel, are more fun when you embrace the unexpected and learn something new along the way.
