七十二行

七十二行

Literally means:

72 occupations

Actually means:

all sorts of occupations

It is general term for all sorts of occupations. In the Tang Dynasty more than 1,000 years ago, the total number of occupations was roughly 36. When the number 36 doubles, it becomes 72; if it is multiplied by 10, the number becomes 360. Now when people use this commonly used phrase 72 kinds of occupations or 360 kinds of occupations, the numbers are not specific or exact, but merely imaginary or functional

对各种行业的总称。一千多年以前的唐朝各行业的总数大约为三十六行。三十六加倍即七十二，十倍就是三百六十。现在人们常说的一，或三百六十行都是虚数，而不是具体的确切。