The survey results indicate that 7 is the most favored number, followed by 3 and 8.
Surely each of us has a favorite number, whether it’s a house number, an age, or a number that holds special significance in life. Recently, the results of an online survey with over 44,000 participants revealed that the most popular number globally is 7. Following closely are the numbers 3 and 8. Many wonder what the meaning of this number is and why it is so widely liked.
In China, the number 7 is considered lucky because its pronunciation is similar to “life,” which is a good omen in relationships. Additionally, the number 6 is regarded as auspicious, promising many advantages and prosperity.
The number 7 also symbolizes the achievement of life across the entire universe, encompassing East, West, South, and North; time spans past, present, and future. It is frequently mentioned in various cultures and histories, such as the 7 wonders of the ancient world, the 7 days of the week, the 7 circles of the universe, or the 7 colors of the rainbow (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet); music features 7 notes (do, re, mi, fa, sol, la, si).
The Number 7 Holds Significant Meaning in Buddhism
When he was born, Buddha took 7 steps and bloomed 7 lotus flowers. Upon death, a person must descend through 7 layers of hell, and to honor the deceased, people use multiples of 7 – 49 days.
According to the Bible, God created the universe and all living beings in 6 days, resting on the 7th day. The Jewish tradition considers the number 7 to be a number of wisdom, and they observe 7 major holy days each year.
The researcher Alex Bellos noted: “The reason so many people revere the number 7 is that it carries significant meanings throughout human history and possesses a unique distinctiveness.”
Among the 10 basic natural numbers, 7 is a prime number, divisible only by 1 and itself. Unlike the numbers 6, 8, and 10, which can be divided by 2, and 9, which can be divided by 3.
Ranked second in the list of most favored numbers is 3. In Eastern culture, the number 3 is associated with three significant stages of life: birth, marriage, and death. It is also used to represent the three heavens.
In Christianity, the number 3 symbolizes the Holy Trinity – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The number 3 also holds significant meaning in Norse mythology; for instance, Thor used three primary weapons to combat the giants.
The number 8 is beloved and ranked third, following the numbers 7 and 3. The number 8 is considered a symbol of infinity and paradise. In the beliefs of the Chinese and Vietnamese, the number 8 signifies prosperity, as “bát” (eight) can be interpreted as “to develop.”
In the West, the number 8 represents efficiency, power, strength, and respect. It embodies success and prosperity.
When asked about the significance of this project, researcher Alex Bellos stated, “Numbers are not just simple counts; they also represent the character of each individual. The preference for a certain number reveals insights into one’s interests, thoughts, and personality. Thus, exploring people’s favorite numbers is always an intriguing topic.”
