No, it’s got nothing to do with the devil. If you chat on Chinese social media, or watch gamers on livestreams chatting, you’ll often catch the numbers 666 thrown out when players want to compliment someone.
That’s because 666 means “awesome.” 666 in Mandarin is “liu liu liu,” which sounds like the Chinese words for “niu niu niu” (牛牛牛), or awesome.
The slang term started to catch on a couple of years ago in online gaming, and it’s already spread to mainstream culture. Here two Chinese celebrities are doing the 666 hand gesture on a TV show.
And when something is trending in the mainstream, you bet Chinese merchants are ready for it. Here’s how 666 has infiltrated everyday items on Taobao and JD.com, China’s Amazon and Walmart.
A dog tee perfect for your 666 pooch
666 apparel
Fishing bait
The fishing bait is named after “666,” but the online seller doesn’t explain what’s so 666 about it.
Bell pepper seeds
These bell pepper seeds on JD.com are labeled “Lao Tie 666.” Lao tie is a Chinese slang term that refers to buddies and close friends.
Garlic shampoo
This shampoo seller cleverly tries to link their products with 666 by packaging their products with 666ml bottles. The garlic extract appears to be an ingredient they’re particularly proud of and adds some 666-ness to the product.
Car decals
For drivers who want to show off their 666 driving skills, they can get these stickers on Taobao. This sticker also has something to do with a challenge on Tik Tok, a Chinese short-video sharing platform, where drivers are encouraged to honk the horn with a specific rhythm together with other drivers.
