If you discuss street fashion with Taiwanese people, you’ll likely hear the term "8+9" (Pa-Chia-Chio) or "+9" (Chia-Chio). This term describes a particular men’s fashion style seen on the streets, but unlike other styles, "8+9" is not usually a compliment. 

Today, "8+9" refers to a type of people who are gangster-like youngsters, which is similar to brats. Dress like 8+9 is the description of a gangster-inspired fashion style in Taiwan. Common elements include bleached blonde hair, gold necklaces, plain black or white T-shirts with large logos, and ripped jeans. Women associated with this style are called "8+9 girls" ("Chia-Chio Mei" or "+9 girl"). Stereotypically, they are thought to wear daisy dukes, low-cut tops, and brand-name accessories with flashy logos.

Origins of "8+9": From Religious Tradition to Stigmatisation

The term "8+9" originates from "Pat-Ka-Chiong" (八家將), a unique parade formation in Taiwanese temple fairs. "Pat-Ka-Chiong" literally means "Eight Generals Escorting the Gods", referring to an important religious performance when God is going to inspect their people. Despite its sacred origins, the role of Pat-Ka-Chiong performers has been heavily stigmatised.

Historically, temple fairs played a crucial role in Taiwanese society, especially during the Japanese colonial period (1895–1945). The Japanese government recruited local gentry and elites to manage religious and community affairs, making those workers’ honour and temples a significant influential centre for local affairs. Yet, after World War II, when the Nationalist government (Kuomintang) took control of Taiwan, they sought to suppress what they considered "superstitious" practices. In 1949, the government enacted the Ban on Bad Folk Conventions, labelling religious processions as superstitious and tightly controlling them. As a result, the educated elite distanced themselves from temple affairs, and the vacuum was gradually filled by marginalised groups, such as gang-affiliated organisations. Temple societies became associated with gang culture over time further reinforcing negative stereotypes.

During Taiwan’s democratic transition, political parties sought alliances with local organisations, such as temples and gangsters, which further intertwined temple culture with informal power networks. This contributed to the modern perception of Pat-Ka-Chiong performers as gangsters or lower-class individuals. Over time, the label "8+9" emerged to describe young people who embodied this stereotyped image of brash, impulsive, and rebellious youth.

"8+9" as a Social Label and Internet Phenomenon

The term widely spread in the 2010s, especially among young people. Besides representing a social class and fashion style, it also symbolises the rebellion of adolescence. People often use the term self-deprecatingly, joking about their own past immaturity. As most youngsters during middle school have similar lifestyles and dress alike, they are more motivated to distinguish themselves from others. Some show differences from having good grades, some from playing well in sports, and some from wearing or behaving like 8+9.

With the rise of the internet and social media, "8+9" behaviour and aesthetics became more visible. Their flashy fashion, impulsive actions, and attention-seeking behaviour made them easy targets for online discussions and memes. Many young people drawn to this subculture feel disconnected from mainstream social expectations, reinforcing their distinct identity.

The "8+9" culture shares similarities with poverty-driven and gangster cultures—it is often associated with chauvinistic attitudes, strong internal loyalty, and weak external networks. However, "8+9" individuals rarely act alone. Instead, they are known for always moving in groups to reinforce their sense of belonging. They are not just like gangsters-to-be but more like mimicking their peers’ behaviour to form certain behaviour habits. Therefore, although someone has 8+9 behaviour, it does not necessarily mean they are going to be a gangster.

Another interesting observation is that there are more and more young girls who are fond of 8+9. The reason is that those girls admire 8+9’s brotherhood and loyalty and they are more willing to splurge on their girlfriends since most of them are naive about their future. Similarly, +9 girls are also getting popular among youngsters as they are more focused on their fashion compared to others. They become outstanding among their peers. However, these advantages disappear after they go to college. As their peers have more time to explore different hobbies to develop their own distinguished features, their characteristic outweighs +9 girls’ advantage in fashion

Since people are often exposed to 8+9 culture at a young age, it can be difficult for them to break away from its habits and influences. As a result, calling someone "8+9" can sometimes be seen as offensive, though most people take it as a joke. On the other hand, some individuals who followed mainstream trends in middle school later try to adopt the rebellious vibe of 8+9 culture, mimicking its style and attitude as they grow older.

It’s fascinating how Pat-Ka-Chiong transformed from a sacred ritual to a stigmatised "superstitious" practice, then to a gangster-related image, and now to a uniquely Taiwanese subculture that is popular among youngsters. However, while the original religious meaning no longer carries a negative connotation, the stigma surrounding "8+9" persists. Recently more and more artists and cultural workers mixed 8+9 or street culture into their works to represent a part of Taiwanese culture. As Taiwan’s society continues to evolve, it remains to be seen whether "8+9" will continue to be a derogatory term or if it will gradually be redefined by future generations.

Bibliography

 吳亮衡, 2017 傳統的民俗活動應該改善嗎？從「統一拜拜」給我們的啟發

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