A numeral and a digit, number four precedes five and follows three in the numerical order. It is a square number with many traits, including the smallest composite number and semi-prime. More interestingly, did you know some people consider the number a bad omen and would do anything to avoid it in their daily activities? Continue reading to find out about this and other fascinating number 4 facts.
1. It Is the Smallest Composite Number
A composite number refers to a positive digit that has at least a divisor apart from one and itself. In other cases, you can define it as a positive numeral formed by multiplying two smaller positive numbers. With these in mind, number four is, therefore, the smallest composite number as it has 2 as its divisor.
2. Number Four Is Important in Politics
Franklin D. Roosevelt was a former American statesman and politician who served as the 32nd president of the United States. According to him, there are four non-negotiable freedoms that people worldwide must enjoy. They include freedom of religion, want, fear, and speech.
In China, the phrase “gang of four” is very popular in political settings. It comes from the four Chinese Communist Party Leaders who came together to build a formidable political movement. They thrived during the country’s Cultural Revolution and were only ousted when Mao Zedong, the chairman, died. Henceforth, any political faction in the region with four members has always been referred to as a “gang of four.”
3. Number 4 Is Considered Unlucky in Most Asian Cultures
In Japan and several other Asian communities, number 4 is considered unlucky. The digit is a homonym for the word death; hence, they believe it is bad luck. As such, people try to avoid using it in their daily activities. For instance, most buildings and rooms do not have the number 4; it is often replaced with the letter “F” or skipped. Phone numbers and property houses do not have the digit, either.
4. The Fear of Number 4 Is Called Tetraphobia
The active avoidance of the digit 4 is called tetraphobia. It is primarily prevalent in East Asian communities and tremendously influences businesses and their cultures.
5. Any Number between 1 and 99 Always Leads to Four
In English, if you pick any number between 1 and 99, spell the number, write the new number of letters, and spell it again, you will eventually end up with four. For example, sixteen is a 7-letter digit. If you spell it, you will have seven, a 5-letter integer. Spelling this new number (five) gives you a 4-letter digit. If you continue with the trend, you will have four. This is true for any number within the mentioned range.
6. Some Asians Are More Likely to Die of Heart Related Failures on the 4th Month
Due to their phobia and dislike for the number 4, Asians, especially Chinese and Japanese, are more likely to die from heart complications in the 4th month than any other time of the year. Studies show that cardiac mortality peaked in the fourth month, with the majority of the cases arising from chronic heart disease.
7. It Is the Only Number with the Same Number of Alphabets
In English, 4 is the only number with the same number of alphabets as its spelled name (four).
8. Ancient Greeks Associated the Number with Earthly Balance
According to ancient Greek beliefs, the number was significant; it represented the elements enabling earth balance. They believed everything had the elements earth, fire, water, and air.
9. There Is a Film Called “I Am Number Four”
Starring Alex Pettyfer (John Smith) and Diana Agron (Sarah Hart), I Am Number Four is a sci-fi/action film released in 2011. It’s a story about Aliens and their Guardians trying to hide from the bounty hunters from Earth. They can only be killed following the numerical order, with number four being the next in line. There is also a book (the first one) from the Lorian Legacies Series with the same name.
10. Most of the Words Widely Considered Vulgar Have Four Letters
While this is purely coincidental, most of the words considered vulgar by the dictionary have four letters.
