A few months ago, the Beijing Olympics took place under the slogan of ‘One world, One dream.’ It began on August 8, 2008 at 8 p.m. As you saw, the Chinese have a deep affection for the number 8 because the pronunciation of 8 is similar to the pronunciation of the verb ‘raise money.’ Chinese like to cut down the price, but the price which ends in 8 weakens them. As you see with this example, figures have a value beyond just counting. There are the modes of people’s lives and their cultures in figures.
The number 7, called ‘lucky seven,’ is considered a fortunate figure regardless of the East and the West. Asians think of 7 as a lucky figure under the influence of Western culture. It is common to do marketing using people’s emotions that they like 7. Publicizing ‘July 7, 2007’ as the best day which God chose, wedding enterprises saturated preliminary married couples in the USA. During the 2007 presidential election,  Korea’s politicians tried to preoccupy UCC channels as instruments to help their image with numbers. Jeong Dong-young selected 2007, Park Geun-hye opted for 7777 and the present president Lee Myung-park chose 7747. On the contrary, a tribe in East Africa regards 7 as an ill figure. Therefore, they refrain from going out on the 7th.
In Korea and China, people don’t like the number 4 because the pronunciation of 4 is the  same as the pronunciation of the verb ‘die.’ Therefore, you should avoid giving parties for congratulating a good thing in April. Cellular phone numbers are not an exception either. If the last number is 4, the number is rarely sold. The number 514 never sold even though the price is one tenth because 514 is pronounced as ‘I will die right away.’ Also, there are F floors instead of 4th floors in hotels and hospitals in Korea. Westerners treat the number 13 as a unlucky figure. They especially think Friday the 13th is the most ominous date because Friday was the day when Jesus was killed by being nailed on the Holy Cross. Also, the rebellion of Judas broke out at a site where Jesus and his 12 disciples got together. So if you go to the hotel in America, you can’t stay on the 13th floor. Just as we are reluctant to use 4, Westerners don’t like 13. Therefore, it is not good that you plan matters for congratulation on the 13th.
Figures exist not only to count things but also to show various cultures of other countries. How about seeing their culture through  figures? If so, that is  your first step for understanding them.