Fortune and Misfortune Number Around the World

Every western world think 13 is unlucky number. Is that right? Not all the western world say that 13 is unlucky. In Italy, thirteen is truly lucky number while 17 is unlucky.  Some country lucky number and unlucky number were much different in the western countries. Like in Hong Kong or other western influence Asian country, an elevator button number 4 and 13 were skipped. Here what I learned from every countries:

Number 7

Every western world believe 7 is extremely lucky number. I see lot of 7 in casino slot. In the Daily Mail, the poll of 30,000 peoples vote 7 is their favorite number along with 3 and 5. There are seven days of the week, seven continents, seven colors of rainbow, seven notes of musical scale, and seven seas. Famous novelist like Ian Fleming, he didn’t 006 or 008 for James Bond; instead, he put 007 as James Bond agent number. The true reason why 7 is lucky number is because God made seven days of the week. There are seven wonders of the world along with seven ancient planets of the world.

However, not all the world think 7 is everybody number. In China, Vietnam, Thailand, and other Chinese influenced countries, they say 7 is seventh month or July. July is ghost month in oriental countries. It is not how Halloween celebrate in Asia. This ghost month is where people pay respects to the death. Mostly, the death is known as “Unfair Death”, and houses must offer fruit and food to the death or they will be haunted.

Number 13 

Most of all western world believed the 13 is extremely unlucky number. The number have associated to many dreadful events in the past. Jesus thirteen disciple is Juda Iscariot, Jesus’s disciple who betrayed Jesus. Juda felt guilty and committed suicide by hanging. From the Mayan Calendar to the Last Supper to the Order of Killing the Knight Templar, Templar contain the number thirteen. Well infamous day called Friday the 13th. Well know first slasher movie title was called Friday the 13th. This slasher movie is about group of teenagers who are murdered one by one while attempting to reopen an abandoned campground. However, Friday the 13th is associated with bad event like Paris Shooting 2015.

In Italy in contrast to all western country, thirteen is good number in Italy. The number represent St. Anthony in Italy, a patron saint of finding things or lost people.

Number 4

In Germany, four is lucky number along with seven because four is associated with four-leaf clover. The four-leaf clover is rare variation of the common three-leaved clover. Four-leave bring good luck to their finders. In addition, four leave is represent something: the first leaf is for faith, the second leaf is for hope, the third is for love, and the forth is for luck.

In China, Japan, Vietnam, Korea and other Chinese or Japanese influence, four is equivalent to thirteen.  Their language pronunciation of the number four is similar to that of the Chinese word for death. In most Chinese or Japanese influenced countries, number 4 or number end with 4 were omitted even the parking lot number, table number, and model number.

Number 8 

Most Sinosphere countries including China, Japan, and Vietnam, eight is exactly same as seven in Western. Number 8 in both Chinese and Japanese sound similar to prosper and money.

In India on other hand, eight is misfortune number. Eight is the number of Sani which is relation breaker, peace breaker, and lethargic kind of personality.

Number 9

In Chinese, number nine is the number of the emperor. In Norwegian, Norway mythology contain mostly 9 in their story. Nine in Norwegian is really a sacred number.

In Japan unlike Chinese and Norway, number nine is consider unlucky along with number four. Number nine pronunciation in Japanese is sound similar to “suffering.”

Number 2

In China, two is consider lucky number. Although that two is smallest number, two is associate with double, twinned, and again. It is an auspicious number in Chinese, because Chinese people believe that good things come in pairs.

Number 3

So many reason why three is second favorite number behind seven. In China, three is consider luck due to featured in many Chinese philosophers saying. Similar to Sweden, there is an idiom for three: “All good things must come in three.” In Italy, three represent a triangle,  simple for strength  and balance. Three is also number of wishes we can have.

Three isn’t good fortune in Japan and Vietnam. Not very popular number, but there a superstition that if a photo was taken with three person, and it is likely the middle person will die.

Number 666 

In all Christian countries, the number 666 is number of Satan or beast. But in China, 666 mean “everything goes smoothly”. Lucky 666 charm can often be seen on neon or store sign in China.

Number 39 

Number 39 is unlucky number for Afghanistan. Number 39 is the cursed number. The word is roughly sound similar to “dead cow”, and the number can be misfortune through various scenario.

Whole Number 

In this case, lucky number not just applied to specific number. It can apply to every number. In Russia, even number isn’t good number because of the explanations is related to flower. Even numbers of flower are only to be brought in funeral and shouldn’t given to a person. Odd number of flower is good answer to give to one person.

There are more number can be good and bad. As you can see above do not be too superstitious about numbers because they can mean different in different cultures. If you know more about number culture please respond to me.

MSSU Choir Christmas Concert

In the evening in St. Peter’s the Apostle Catholic Church, I arrived at the church at 19:00, but it was to crowded that I can’t find the seat. Fortunately, Michael Gregory, St. Peter’s music director, showed me the seat the front. After I find the seat, I was listening the MSSU band playing Christmas music, but most of music was not listed in the flyer. Concert was not started until 19:30. I decided walked around until that time.

At 19:30, the choir from Missouri Southern Concert Chorale arrived on stage and sung “Personent Hodie.” The choir sang in Latin, but the green flyer gave me a translation. The concert is not go to singing most typical Christmas song such as “Jingle Bell”. The second song is “Alleluia”. I seen that title so frequently in church. The song was composed by Ralph Manuel. The third song, “O Day Full of Grace”,  was sung in English and even the forth song “Jubliate Deo”. First of four songs that I really interested is all.

In the interlude, Concert Chorale moved out, and Missouri Southern Chamber Singers arrived on stage. First song, O Magnum Mysterium composed by Daniel Elder is very admirable song. The second song “There Is No Rose” is good. This song is about well ancient text. Rose is referred to Christ-child. Third song, “Hodie Christus Natus Est” composed by Jacobus Gallus Carniolus,  was also wonderful song.  Just near the interlude, Chamber Singers sung “All That Hath Life and Breath”. This song is energetic composition full of contrasting sections of tempo, style, tonality, and character was written for the Wichita State A Cappella Choir. After the song was over, Chamber moved out.

Missouri Southern Jazz Unlimited arrived on stage. First song they going is one of French Christmas Chanson, “Allon, Gay Bergeres (Let’s go gaily, Shepherdesses)”. This chanson explores the non-sacred side of the season by way of the sacred. NOT intended to be a mockery. It’s also propose  to create a spirit of celebration of the birth of the Christ. The other song called “All of Me” by Seymour Simons and Gerald Marks.  This lovely jazz song has become on the the most recorded songs in Jazz Era. After the song ended, the Jazz moved out.

Concert Chorale arrived on stage again. The conduct waited until the church bell done ringing. The song was sung in German. The beautiful song that feature some orchestra and it called Schwingt freudig euch empor, Kantate Nr. 36 composed by well-known composer, Johann Sebastian Bach. I am really a strong fan of classical music. In the first four part, the Chorale sung in German. During the fourth part, Chorale suddenly sung in English and the audience sang including Michael Gregory. Second part excluding the seventh part the Chorale sung in German again until the final part of the eighth. The audience sang again. After the Bach song over, Chorale moved out for 20 minutes break. I really like this song, but I didn’t hear the seventh part. I would listen at home for full song.

During 20 minutes break, I went out to talking my buddies and my parish of St. Peter’s. Some audience leaved early. After 20 minutes break, the Chamber are coming to the stage.

Chamber sang “Two Villancios de Navidad”. The song was a combination of two song: “E la Don Dong Verges Maria” and “Ríu, Ríu, Chíu”. The song is characterized by heavy syncopation, mode mixture, and rhythmic dance. They fit together nicely and are intended to create a feeling of good cheer , will, and celebration. Another song called “Ave Maria”.  NO, It’s not Franz Peter Schubert or Johann Sebastian Bach creation. It was composed by Franz Biebl. Text is unique in its conjoining of two sources. The first source is the thrice-daily devotional exercise called Angelus. It consists of a repeated “Hail Mary”. Chamber sung the last song, “Glory to the Newborn King”. NO, the song is not referring to “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”. The song is six spirituals using the techniques of classic hymnody, blues, doo-wop, and jazz – all moving toward a rapturous finish with the ring of 9-part harmony. After the song ended. Chamber gave the big bow and leaved.

The Jazz came to the stage again. This time Jazz sung one of classic Christmas rock song know as “Jingle Bell Rock”. The arrangement was so beautiful. Another song called “The Christmas Song”. It is considered one of the most well-known Christmas pop tunes ever. The song was written at the height of summer in the blistering heat. Jazz sung the last song called “I Love the Winter Weather/I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm”.  After the song was over, the Jazz made a final bow and leaved offstage.

Southern Symphony Orchestra arrived on stage. They sung the first song called “Lullaby”. Again no, it’s not a typical lullaby like “Rock-a-bye Baby”. Referring to “O Magnum Mysterium”, “Lullaby” is the third and final installment in a cycle of nocturnes for mixed chorus and piano.  A set that explores both observational and psychological experiences associated with love, nature, darkness, and light. The beauty of this lyric lies in its dual nature, it’s also serves to comfort those who devastate over loss.  Another song that Symphony is called “Ding Dong Merrily on High”. After the song over, they sang “Go Tell It On the Mountain”.  Then, the choir sung Andy Williams biggest hit, “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year”. The song was rearranged by Hawley Ades. The song depicts the celebratory events of the season such as hosting parties, caroling, and the telling of “scaring ghost stories”, which have to do with a Victorian tradition of stories such as Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Finally, the choir the closing song called “O Holy Night”. The choir was arranged around the audience. The numerous soloists, choruses, and orchestras have performed this famous carol – a favorite for most at this time of year!

After the Christmas Concert was over, I had to went home because it is too late. The time of concert was taken barely three hours. For future, I would attend again.

U.S. DOMESTIC MARKET CAR AND INTERNATIONAL MARKET CAR REGULATION

When a guy just brought Honda Fit from Japan and he already owned US-Spec Honda Fit, he realize that his JDM Honda Fit look different to his USDM Honda Fit. When he also brought Mitsubishi Pajero from Japan and he also already owned Mitsubishi Montero, he realize both same models have different name. JDM car speed gauge is just only show kilometer, but USDM car speed gauge use both mile and kilometer. Both steering wheel arrangements are arranging different. Both countries model are base on their government regulation.

US Spec Honda Fit (top)  vs. JP Spec Honda Fit (bottom)

Safety regulation are critical to all countries. However, the model is appear differently.  Like the bumper length since 1974, European market car bumper length is short while in the US, their regulation of the bumper was longer than bumper in International market. The US bumpers are more massive and farther from the bodywork.

Taillight and head are also different in the market. US headlight in 1940-1983 era required sealed beam headlamps while international headlamp required composite headlamps with aerodynamic covered lenses. Taillight regulation is also different too. For example, Euro Spec Mercedes-Benz is equipped with brake lights that flash quickly in response to hard brake pressure while U.S. brake lights are allowed to glow more brightly than the tail lamps and flashing is off-limits. For example, US version of BMW M5 E34 headlights equipped with free form headlight instead of ellipsoid headlights and fog lights in Europe.

Euro Citroen DS Headlamp (top) vs. US Citroen DS Headlamp (bottom)

The mirrors in US market are different to other countries. U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 111 requires that convex side view mirrors must have a curvature radius of between 889 mm and 1651 mm and not allows for aspheric mirror.  Safety Standard 111 also require the driver side mirror  to provide “unity magnification, an distorted 1:1 reflection achieved with a flat mirror.  The European ECE Regulation 46 permits planar, convex, and aspheric mirrors on either side of the vehicle and also requires that mirrors be mounted such that it swing away when struck by a test cylinder meant to indicate a pedestrian.

Flat Mirror (left) vs Aspheric Mirror (right)

The engine power are different compared in the other countries. For example, JDM Honda Integra engine has more power than USDM Acura Integra. The emission laws in the US cause car in US spec to dull down the Integra’s engine and then shipping to the US a waterdown Integra.

Car model name are different in worldwide. Car model name is base on appropriate language in foreign countries. Remember the first blog from the “Translation Confusion”, some models didn’t sold well in different countries because the name. Like Vauxhall Nova, Nova is only sell in UK while the other European Coutries named Nova as Opel Corsa because in Spain, Nova is really mean “it doesn’t go.” Another example, Mitsubishi Pajero is name after Pampas Cat, but in Spain and other Spanish speaking countries, “pajero” is unintentionally obscene slang for “wanker.” So, Spanish speaking countries call it “Montero”, mountain hunter, instead. In UK, Mitsubishi Pajero renamed as Shogun. Not all car model name that are insulting, but foreign market can change name such as Japan called Mazda Roadster instead of Mazda Miata in the US. Also, Japan called Nissan Fairlady Z instead of 370Z in the US.

Pajero is what other countries called.

The U.S. and Spanish speaking countries would called Montero due to insulted word.  You should say, “Wankermobile” or “Wanker Wagon.”

Overall depend what car you imported from? The UN regulation and US regulation are just simply difference. Therefore, it’s doesn’t matter. Safety is matter.

Is Your Foreign Currency Worth It As US Dollar?

UN recognizes 180 currencies as legal tender. Not all the currencies are same amount of US dollars. Some currencies worth more than dollars. Some currencies worth you a penny. When you exchange US dollar to foreign currency, you must convert foreign currency to US dollar to see how valve it is. Foreign currencies is depend on the wealthy of the countries.

Some currencies worth more than US dollars. Because country with valuable currency earn good economy compared to the United States. How worth a Swiss franc in US dollars? It equal to $0.99 (right now $1.03). Switzerland has a stable prosperous, and high-tech economy. One Euro worth a $1.07 (right now $1.06). Euro is the currency of EU since 1999. It replace West European countries currencies include French franc and German Mark except United Kingdoms and Switzerland. It is second most traded in the world behind dollar. One Pound Sterling equal to $1.51.

Most valuable currency in the world is Kuwaiti Dinar. How worth it is? One Kuwaiti Dinar is equivalent to $3.30. Kuwait is a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). Kuwait is also one of largest exporter of oil in 2013 and has the sixth-largest oil reserves in the world as of 2014. In US, we have suffer economy issue especially the Obama care.

Those most valuable currency doesn't really mean that the currency is better investment option or that it represents a better economic and health care.

Most of currencies from Africa, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and Asia are inferior to US dollars. Japanese Yen is worth a penny. Dong, South Korean Won, and Zimbabwe Dollar were a housefly or empty pocket.

Vietnamese Dong was suffered devaluation since embargo from Cambodian-Vietnamese War. One Vietnamese Dong worth no penny. How many Dong to exchange for dollar? It's take 22477.50₫ to convert to one dollar. It's that worth it? No, it worthless. That why Top Gear crew attempted to buy the Fiat with 15,000,000₫, but Fiat cost 560,000,000₫ (that equal to $24875.20 and £16,447.77). Top Gear crew's dong were a $440.57. Top Gear's money were enough to buy used motorbike instead of car.

The world worthless currency of all time is Zimbabwean Dollar. To convert to US$ 1, Zimbabwean dollar were ZWD 250,000,000,000,000. This is how you win a lottery, but you got one US Dollar. In June 2015, Zimbabwe discontinued the world worthless currency to favor US Dollar.

Iran Rial, currently the world worthless currency, exchange rate is 30027.00 IRR is equal to dollar. Iran Rial was devalued since UN passed a sanction against Iran because of Nuclear. Every currency suffered devalued because of economy crisis, war, and sanction. North Korean Won is also good example of sanction and poverty cause of devaluation. However, North Korean will take 900 North Korean Won for $1.00.

The worthless currency isn't just apply to property, economic, and politic. For example, South Korea is bunch of industry and good social life. However, South Korean currency, Won, is too inferior to US Dollar and even North Korean Won is little more valuable than the South. The exchange rate of South Korean Won to one dollar is equal to 1148.89 South Korean Won.  

Whenever you want to collect currency as souvenir, you have convert foreign currency to US Dollar to deter is that worth it?

Hanfu: The Real Chinese Traditional Dress

Since late 17th Century, worldwide already recognized the Chinese traditional dress is truly cheongsam. Is that true? Recently in 21st Century, a Chinese man in Zhengzhou, Wang Letian, was the first person to wear forgotten dress called hanfu in public in the 21st Century. His clothes was inspired others to follow the forgotten dress in 2003. Now, Malaysia and Singapore already aware of hanfu movement. I was realize about the dress is truly forgotten from long time ago.

Hanfu Movement in London

When I was kindergarten, I started to know about hanfu since my dad watched the Chinese drama in Vietnamese dub. But, I didn't recognized the name of the dress. In my second grade, I watched inaccurate Disney Mulan, and I admired Mulan's dress. But, I still didn't know the dress name. Since 2012, I surfed in internet, and I founded the name of Chinese traditional clothe, and it's hanfu. First, I thought kimiono was origin in Japan, but now it's Chinese influence in Japan. Not just in Japan. Hanfu was also influenced in Korea and Vietnam. Korea is hanbok. For Vietnamese dress in beginning, I already know áo dài as Vietnamese folk costume. And now, I know áo giao linh, old Vietnamese folk dress in ancient time before Nguyen Dynasty. In US, lot of typical Chinese dress is cheongsam and even some modern Chinese movie and anime. In that time, I was confused.

When I do research about the Hanfu, I founded out hanfu was started 3000 years ago. Hanfu was invented in Shang Dynasty, 1600 BC to 1000 BC. Hanfu consisted of a yi, a narrow-cuffed, knee-length tunic tied with a sash, chang (narrow skirt), and bixi (a lenth of fabric that reached the knees). Hanfu is made of silk and painted in red and green.

Shang Dynasty Hanfu

In the beginning of Western Zhou Dynasty, hanfu began to the distinction between classes. Most decorated dress, length of a skirt, and the wideness of a sleeve is based on rank level. Sleeves was made wider than in Shang Dynasty and yi tunic was also closed with jade decorations with a sash tied around the waist. The collar were crossed and tied to the right while skirts and trousers depend in length from knee-length to ground-length.

Typical Han Dynasty Hanfu for women.

Eastern Zhou Dynasty invented shenyi (the deep robe). Shenyi is a combination of tunic and skirt, and now, it considered that it's part of clothing shaped into shenyi. Shenyi can be worn by anybody. A complete hanfu developed in every dynasty. Now, hanfu consist in each part: Yi - which is any open cross-collar garment and is worn by both gender, Pao - any closed full-body dress, which is only men can wore, Ru - open shirt with cross collar, Shan - open cross-collar shirt or jacket which is worn over the yi, qun or chang - a type of skirt which both gender can worn, and Ku - a type of trousers. It is traditional to decorate hanfu with tassels and jade pendants or ornaments, pei, hung from the sash.  Men wore hat while women wore hairpieces in combination with hanfu. The headgear is based on marked profession or social rank.

Ming Dynasty Hanfu for women

Men Typical Hanfu

Typical Tang Dynasty for Women

Emperor Wu's Hanfu

In 1644, Manchu conquered Ming Dynasty and forced people to wear Manchu style clothes instead of hanfu. People who protested was executed. Men have to shaved hair. In the end of Qing Dynasty, hanfu was disappeared except Confucius and Buddhist monk. Han people favored the western-style dress. Most of Han Chinese wear western-style clothe while hanfu is worn rarely except monks and priests. Since 2003, hanfu is now worn during festivals, ritualistic ceremonies, graduation, and historical recreation.

Jet Li's hanfu in Hero (Chinese film)

Here some photo galley of hanfu:

Aoqun

Banbi

Zhiju

Contemporary hanfu 

Daopao

Panling Lanshan

Shenyi 

Zhiduo 

After I learned all about the hanfu history, I am truly admired hanfu. I consider hanfu is a true national dress of China. But, cheongsam is totally overrated because it's combination of Manchu dress and western-style dress. Cheongsam was invented in 20th Century. Cheongsam is not originated in China, but it's originated in Manchuria. But, I know everybody have a limited knowledge. However, hanfu is one most elegant national dress in China.

Translation Confusion

Not all the appropriate language are positive. Some positive language can be intentionally obscene to foreign language. Verbal language is just similar to gesture. For example, inverted V-sign in US mean "two" in American sign language. But in UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand, inverted V-sign is equivalent to US middle finger. Also, a-ok gesture is not offensive in US. But in France, a-ok mean "you're worthless." The marketing name, slogan, title, and movie character name can have different meaning in foreign language. Some of language is unintentionally insulting in translation. Here well known example from brand name, model name, quote, title, and etc.

Chevrolet Nova sell well in the United States. In Hispanic countries, Chevy Nova didn't sell well because Nova really mean "it doesn't go." Simply I say, Chevrolet No-go. Vauxhall Nova, British version of Opel Corsa A, also has similar problem with translation in Spain. Therefore, Opel kept name "Corsa."  In 1993, Vauxhall Nova was renamed Corsa.

Mitsubishi Pajero, SUV model, was named after Pampas Cat, Leopardus pajeros. In USA and Spanish speaking countries, "Pajero" was renamed "Montero", Spanish meaning for mountain hunter. Pajero is vulgar slang for wanker. Just called Pajero the wanker wagon or wankermobile.

Other Japanese car manufacturer made similar situation in translation issue. Mazda LaPuta, a Mazda version of Suzuki Kei, is named came from flying island in Gulliver's Travels, but LaPuta is only sale in Asia. LaPuta in Spanish is really mean "the whore." Nissan Moco, a Nissan version of Suzuki MR Wagon , is also only sale in Asia. Moco is really mean "snot/booger" in Spanish. Honda Fit was called "Fitta." Honda Fit is only in Japan, China, Asia, and USA. In Europe, Fit was renamed "Jazz" because "Fitta" is refer to female genital in Norwegian and Swedish. So, Honda simply called "Fit" instead of "Fitta." Toyota MR-2 didn't go well in France because pronunciation in French was sounded like "merde." Merde is mean "crap" in French. 

Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow was originally planned to be called Silver Mist. In German, "mist" is really mean "manure." Rolls-Royce model is just simply "Silver Shadow" instead.

The worst car of all time, Ford Pinto, didn't go well in Brazil. In Brazilian Portuguese, "pinto" is vulgar slang for "male genital", but pinto is named after a pinto horse. 

Ikea model GutVik bed for kid was an issue in Germany. Because GutVik is translated as "Good F-Bomb." GutVik in Sweden is a name of very small town. Ikea also have problem with Fartfull workbench and Jerker computer table. 

Nokia Lumia made poor sell in Spain. Nokia Lumia realize they learned to late. Lumia is mean "to prostitute" in Spanish.

Tokyo base Sega is shorten name for "service game", but is refer to "male masturbation" in Italian.

  

Clairol "Mist Stick" didn't sold well in Germany. Similar to Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow, "mist" is really mean "manure."

In 1983, Coors created a mascot called BeerWolf for Halloween season. BeerWolf's catchphrase is "Turn it loose!" When it was advertised in Spain, it was lost in translation when it come as "Suffer from diarrhea."

In China, Coca-Cola was named "Ke-Kou-Ke-La", but it was translated as "bite the wax tadpole" or "female horse stuffed with wax." It was renamed to "Ko-Kou-Ko-Le", roughly translated as "happiness in the mouth." Also, KFC slogan "finger-lickin good" translated in Chinese as "eat your finger off." In Taiwan, translation of Pepsi's slogan, "Come alive with the Pepsi Generation", into "Pepsi will bring your ancestors back from the dead."
  

When Pope John Paul II visited in Miami, Florida in September 1987, enterprising man attempted properly translated "I see the Pope" in Spanish. He put "la papa" instead of "el papa"; so, it  translated as "I see the potato." Enterprising man founded himself a subject of public ridicule. 

Parker Pen slogan is "It won't leak in your pocket and embarrass you." However, company made mistake when company made an advertisement in Mexico. Company thought "embarazar" mean embarrass in Spanish, but it translated into "It won't leak in your pocket and make you pregnant."

  

US English and British English both have same word, but different meaning and accidentally rude. For example, Mario Party 8 didn't sell well in UK because Kamek, Mario Party's character, say "spastic." Spastic in American English mean clumsiness. But in Britain, spastic refer to cerebral palsy. In UK version, spastic was changed into "erratic." In US English, "faggot" is refer to "homosexual man" while UK English is refer to kind of meatball from Britain. 

You finally realize naming brand and creating slogan are not easy to introduce to international. So, beware of translation confusion.