The short answer
The house number most often avoided in feng shui is 4. In Chinese, its sound resembles the word for death, so many people avoid it. Numbers that end in 4, such as 14 and 24, are also often avoided for the same reason. Some people avoid 13 for Western reasons, and that is a separate tradition.
Why 4 is the number most often avoided
The fear comes from sound, not from the kua system. In Mandarin and Cantonese, the word for four sounds close to the word for death. That association is why many buildings skip the fourth floor, and why many people avoid a house number with a 4 in it.
The effect on buyers is not only a matter of belief. One analysis of Vancouver house sales reported that addresses ending in 4 sold for less than comparable addresses. That shows the association matters to some buyers, even if the reason is cultural.
Other numbers people avoid or prefer
- 8 is widely seen as lucky, partly because its sound resembles the word for prosperity.
- 9 is often seen as lucky, partly because its sound resembles the word for long-lasting.
- 13 is avoided by some people in Western tradition, and it is not part of Chinese feng shui.
These are cultural associations. They are not part of the kua number system.
Does a house number change your kua number?
No. Your kua number comes from your birth year and gender. A house number does not change it, and the four lucky and four unlucky directions from your kua number still apply to you. The house number is a separate idea.
The kua number calculation guide explains how your number is worked out. The Eight Mansions overview explains how the system treats the home and its entrance.
If your house number is one you would rather avoid
You may not be able to change an address, and many people simply focus on the parts of a home that they can change. Some practical steps:
- Check the entrance direction against your kua number. The front door guide explains how, and what to put at the front door for good luck covers the entrance itself.
- Put your bed and desk in favourable sectors inside the home.
- Ask whether the number matters to you. If it does not, the rest of the layout matters more.
If a house number bothers you, it is reasonable to weigh that against the other things you need from a home. The number 5 is another number people ask about, and it is treated differently.
These are cultural and traditional ideas, not scientific findings. Use them as one factor among many when choosing a home.