Yesterday’s (2007-09-27) protests in Myanmar highlight the power of number nine in Myanmar popular superstition:
Day: 27 = 2 + 7 = 9
Month: 9
Year: 2007 = 2 + 7 = 9
Number of reported deaths: 9
Last month a flyer circulated in Yangon calling people to disturb peace by banging pots and pans on September 11, 12, and 13 at 7:02pm (7 + 2 = 9), 8:01pm (8 + 1 = 9), and 9pm.
For comparison, in 1987 Gen. Ne Win ordered the issuing of bank notes of 45 (4 + 5 = 9) and 90 kyat.
Not to be outdone, the number eight also carries significance: nineteen years ago, the date of bloody demonstrations on 1988-08-08 is sill commonly referred to as 8/8/88.
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