In Chinese culture, eight is widely associated with good luck because its pronunciation resembles words connected with prosperity and wealth.
In Mandarin, ba sounds similar to fa in facai, meaning to become wealthy or prosper. This sound association has made 8 especially attractive in business, addresses, telephone numbers and vehicle registration plates.
The 2008 Beijing Olympics deliberately began on 8 August 2008 at 8:08:08 p.m., making the date and time a highly visible example of the belief. The number is also prominent in commercial naming and pricing, although the meaning can vary by dialect and context.
Chinese numerology includes both lucky and unlucky associations. Four is often avoided because its pronunciation resembles the word for death, showing how pronunciation, rather than arithmetic, drives many of these beliefs.