中西文化对比之数字.ppt

parison of Number Culture both in English and Chinese
Number 1
The meaning of “1” is almost the same in both Chinese and English culture.
1. It is the starting point of all things all over the world.
In Huai Nanzi, it says: “1” is the root and nature of everything.(《淮南子》有语“一也者,万物之本也。)
In western culture, “1” represents the originality instead of the produce. And it belongs to the field of Sun(属于太阳的领域) .
2. It is the symbol of our achievements, status and honor.
No. 1 is the target of many essful people who wants to stand at the pinnacle(顶点) of career and life and always be the blessed one of God(天之骄子).
For example, the Olympic Games, the gold medal means first, thus all the athletes spend countless efforts for it regardless of their nationality; it not only represents the participants’ highest ability and the achievement, but also brings great glory to the winner’s country and people.
Number 2
In Chinese culture, “2” is an even number, conveying the meaning of the “double”. Chinese people always expect good things e in pairs(好事成双), so “2” is a popular and auspicious (吉利的)number.
For example:
1. “喜喜” will be posted on the walls and rooms during marriage days, which means “es pany”.
2. When we praise others, we will say she is endowed with both beauty and talent(才貌双全) or he is an expert in both literature and military realms(文武双全).
Number 3
“3” has been attached great significance in Chinese culture.
From our ancient Chinese perspective, the character “三” means the harmony of the heaven, the earth and human beings. (在汉语中上横代表天,下横代表地,中间代表人,即天地人为一体。)
Ancient people thought that all the numbers are generated from one, ended with ten, and fulfilled by three.(数字始于一,终于十,成于三。)
Besides, we have many ideas about three. Such as:
the three lives (the previous life, this life, and the afterlife (前生、今生、来生为三生);
2. three moral principles(三纲): ruler guides subjects, father guides son, husband guides wife.
3. three generations: father, son, and grandson(父子孙为三族)
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