11/11/11

As the title of this column reads, today is the eleventh day of the eleventh month of the eleventh year of this century.

Call it numerology, feng shui or what have you, there are certain entries in the calendar that business people, for all their claims to pragmatic or realistic approach to their livelihood, give a close look to before they undertake certain activities.

To the Chinese, the number “8” is considered a lucky number because it ends with an upward motion. Add to that the fact that the Chinese word for “8” rhymes with good fortune or prosperity.

This traditional belief accounts for the high prices that Chinese businessmen in China, Hong Kong and Singapore bid when automobile license plates that bear that number are auctioned by the authorities.

Cars with “888” (or more, as long as they consist only of that number) license plates are status symbols in Chinese-dominated economies in the world. The subliminal message of this vehicle identification is, its owner is wealthy enough to beat his equally financially endowed peers to be able to get his hands on that much-sought-after item.

The tax collectors of the governments concerned have skilfully exploited this ego trip, through well-timed promotional activities, to raise additional revenues.

Observance

The Chinese infatuation with the number “8” reached a crescendo on Aug. 8, 1988. Believing that the numbers “8888” spell long life, good fortune and happy marriage, countless Chinese couples tied the knot that day.

Couturiers, wedding counselors, beauty parlors, flower shops,  restaurants and every business that had something to do with marriage smiled their way to the banks.

There were even reports that some pregnant Chinese women scheduled their caesarian section for that day to “ensure” a good future for their newborns!

Even businesses were affected by the euphoria over “8/8/88.” Significant contracts, projects and other major business engagements were concluded or signed that day.

In the succeeding days, newspapers and business magazines featured photos of beaming executives signing contracts with the numbers “8888” emblazoned at the background in varying styles or fonts.

The signing parties probably thought that the prominent display of the number combination would bring more positive vibes to their business.

The interesting aspect about this date is, the love affair with these numbers was not limited to the Chinese. Even American and European businessmen got caught in the “lucky number” frenzy.

In the Philippines, a business conglomerate signed four separate contracts with its foreign partners that day in Tokyo, Singapore, Frankfurt (Germany) and New York City.

The company must have felt that nothing would be lost, and something might even be gained, by observing certain practices that sometimes defied explanation.

Interpretation

Rightly or wrongly, numerology, or the study of numbers, has been associated with the occult or supernatural.

This branch of knowledge (I hesitate to call it “science” lest I get into trouble with academicians) rests primarily on the theory that some numbers have peculiar aptitudes and characters that affect people’s lives depending on the circumstances they find themselves in.

According to numerologists, through the use of certain formulas, these numbers can be used to determine the best time to make significant moves and activities in life.

Depending on the numerology principles applied (whether Chinese, Indian or Egyptian), today’s once-in-a-century number combination is susceptible to contrasting interpretations.

It could be read as a harbinger of good fortune because “1” is considered the highest number in the Arabic numeral system, or bad luck because the number looks like a candle stick.

For some Chinese, “1111” is an unfavorable number combination because it represents death or mourning. Interestingly, however, today’s “111111” number arrangement is considered neutral, meaning it is neither good nor bad.

Bottom line, at least from the traditional Chinese perspective, it is how these numbers are used or interpreted that will determine their possible effect on you.

Celebrations

From the look of things, however, a lot of people view this unique set of numbers in a positive light.

For private companies and government offices that are celebrating significant milestones in their organization today, i.e., silver (25th), golden (50th) or diamond (75th), this has become a perfect excuse to celebrate with a bang.

Some companies are reported to have scheduled for today the inauguration or start of operations of their 11th office, branch or outlet with more pomp or publicity to attract public attention.

As Biz Buzz recently observed, the restaurant chain Mang Inasal may open 11 more branches today, with its mother company, Jollibee, also set to open 11 new stores in 11 different sites.

And if a company, for example, is celebrating its 11th anniversary today, the event could justify granting the employees a special bonus of P11,000 or awarding them prizes in multiples of “11.”

Given the fondness of some people for unique number combination, it should not come as a surprise if lotto aficionados take a fancy on “111111” and include it in their bets in today’s draw.

In the unlikely event that number combination or its variation hits the lotto jackpot, numerologists can look forward to an increase in their ranks.

(For feedback, please write to <rpalabrica@inquirer. com. ph>.)