Four

Four is a number that mathematicians and bad luck enthusiasts often take for granted. However, it has a rich history and a deep connection with everything from sports to pop culture. Let’s dive into the fascinating world of the number four!

The Good

Four has numerous positive associations, including:

• The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: Ah, the Four Horsemen! These are the fearsome warriors of the end times, bringing death, war, famine, and pestilence to humanity. Who wouldn’t want to associate themselves with these guys?
• Four-leaf clovers: Considered to be symbols of good luck, four-leaf clovers are a rare and coveted find. But don’t be fooled – finding one does not mean you won the lottery or that you’ll have a great day. It just means you found a clover that’s a little different from the other clovers.
• Four-letter words: While some may argue that these are not “good,” per se, it’s hard to deny the cathartic release they can provide in certain situations. Go ahead and shout out “four-letter words” at the top of your lungs right now – it might help you feel a little bit better!

The Bad

Unfortunately for four, there are also several negative associations:

• Sports teams: Often the butt of jokes in sports, being in fourth place means that you’re just on the cusp of being good, but not quite there yet. Sorry, fourth-place finishers!
• The Tetragrammaton: This is a Hebrew name for God that is abbreviated to four letters. Speaking the name is considered too holy for mortals, hence the abbreviation. So, if you’re looking for a divine being to pray to, you might want to steer clear of the number four.
• The fourth wall: This is a theatrical term for the imaginary wall that separates actors from the audience. Breaking the fourth wall means acknowledging and addressing the audience directly, which can be fun or jarring, depending on the context. But it also means that the audience is no longer willing to sit back and passively absorb whatever’s happening on stage. So, in a way, breaking the fourth wall is like breaking the audience’s trust.

The Ugly

And finally, no discussion of the number four would be complete without mentioning:

• The Four Elderly Brothers: This is a Chinese folklore tale about four old men who terrorize a young couple for no apparent reason. They defecate on floors, throw food at people, and generally behave like immense jerks. So, if you ever meet a group of four elderly men, prepare for the worst!

In conclusion, four is a number with a varied and complicated history. Whether you love it or hate it, you can’t deny that it has made an indelible mark on our culture. So let’s all give a hearty “four” cheer for the little number that could!