Beliefs and superstitions in lottery number selection around the world

The lottery is a game that captures the imagination of millions of people worldwide. With the promise of a transformed life and dreams realized, it's no surprise that many players have developed rituals, superstitions, and beliefs in an attempt to tilt luck in their favor. This article explores some of the most fascinating beliefs and superstitions that lottery players around the world use in selecting their numbers.

China: The Significance of Numbers

In Chinese culture, numerology plays a significant role and is considered when choosing lottery numbers. For instance, the number 8 is considered extremely lucky as its sound resembles the word for "prosperity" or "wealth" in Mandarin and Cantonese. Conversely, the number 4 is often avoided as it sounds like the word for "death". Thus, many Chinese players tend to pick numbers that include 8 and avoid the number 4.

Italy: La Smorfia

In Italy, particularly in Naples, "La Smorfia" is a dream interpretation system rooted in Judaism, which assigns numbers to people, animals, and objects found in dreams. This system is often used to choose numbers for the Italian lottery game "Lotto". For example, number 13 in Smorfia stands for "Saint Anthony", while 60 represents "the mouth". Thus, if one dreamt of Saint Anthony, they might play the number 13 in the lottery.

Thailand: The Dream Manual

In Thailand, a country where the lottery is incredibly popular, many players turn to a "Dream Manual", which is a Thai interpretation of dreams and numbers. Similar to the Italian "La Smorfia", Thais translate the contents of their dreams into numbers to play in the lottery. For example, dreaming of a monk might suggest that you play the number 77.

United States and United Kingdom: Lucky Numbers and Special Dates

In the United States and the United Kingdom, many players choose lottery numbers based on significant dates, such as birthdays and wedding anniversaries. Others opt for personal "lucky numbers" or sequences that have brought them luck in the past. Additionally, the belief in number 7 as a lucky number is especially prevalent in both countries.

Brazil: Animals of the "Jogo do Bicho"

In Brazil, the "Jogo do Bicho", an illegal type of lottery, has a unique approach to choosing numbers. Each number from 1 to 25 is associated with a different animal, and players pick their numbers based on the animals they believe to be lucky that day.

While it's important to remember that the lottery is a game of chance and the odds of winning are extremely low, it's interesting to observe how different cultures interpret and attempt to influence this luck. These beliefs and superstitions, despite their varied origins, all share a common element: the hope that somehow, we can play an active role in shaping our own destiny.