Number 13

For the superstitious, this number brings bad luck or misfortune. "Triskaidekaphobia", is the fear or avoidance of the number 13.

Dating back in part to Biblical times… Judas who betrayed Jesus is said to be the thirteenth disciple. Also, the thirteenth chapter of the Revelation is reserved to the antichrist and to the beast.

Whether inspired by biblical stories or legends of ancient people, the so-called 'lucky' or 'unlucky' properties assigned to numbers have real meaning to many people.

Superstitions about numbers is known as “paraskevidekatriaphobia or friggatriskaidekaphobia”, terms used by ‘Isador Coriat’ (1875–1943), an American psychiatrist and neurologist, in “Abnormal Psychology”.

Exceeding tall-tales thought-up by gamblers, numerical superstitions impact virtually every stage of our lives and seem to have moved well beyond the world of beliefs in luck and misfortune.

In fact, even the “Hammurabi Code of Laws” (1755–1750 BC), a Babylonian legal text of 282 rules of justice (part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it), is reported to have omitted a 13th law from its list of legal rules. But in reality, the omission was no more than a clerical error made by one of the rule’s earliest translators who failed to include a line of text, in fact, the code doesn’t numerically list its laws at all.

To the extent that, Number 13 is synonymous with bad luck. It's considered unlucky to have such number of guests at a dinner party, in-fact many buildings don't have such floor and most people avoid getting married or buying a house on a day marked by this dreaded number. The extent of which has superstitious folks even avoid driving on Friday the 13th.

Contrarily, this sacred number is considered to be a very karmic number in numerology. It is associated with the divine, and is said to bring good luck and prosperity to those who embrace it, as it symbolizes ‘Sacred Feminine Energies’, wherein, for instance women have 13 menstrual cycles in a year, and Earth, has 13 full moons in a year!

In Hebrew, number 13 is a very lucky number. It is the numerical value of the word ??? (one), to be understood as 'oneness' and 'unity of creation'. It also the age at which a Jewish male becomes obligated to follow Jewish law, the age at which a ‘Bar-Mitzvah’ is attained.

In numerology, number 13 portrays focus, independence, creativity, a secure foundation and is part of the “Fibonacci Sequence”. It is misjudged to be unlucky as it also depicts karma and tests of life. So if you are not a believer of karma, it might seem to be unlucky for you as it will make your bad karma come back to you in full circle

In Feng Shui, number 13 is associated with change and is good for people who are always looking for new challenges.

In China, number 13 means 'assured growth' or 'definitely vibrant' in Chinese. That's why it's actually considered very lucky. Still, regardless of its perceived goodness, it is often met with real scepticism. In Chinese tradition, it is believed that certain numbers are auspicious or inauspicious, stemming from principles of numerology, largely based on homophones or near-homophones of numbers.

In France, number 13 is traditionally considered a lucky number, but there is a mixed attitude to the superstition charms.

In Italy, number 13 is considered lucky in Italy. Associated with the Great Goddess, fertility and the lunar cycles, the number is thought to bring prosperity and life, quite the opposite view than that of the western world.

In Spain, it is Tuesday the 13th that is considered unlucky, and not Friday as in Anglo-Saxon countries. That's because Tuesday is said to be dominated by Ares (Greek God of war), known as “Mars” in Ancient Rome, who gives his name to “Martes” (Tuesday in Spanish).

In Japan, number 13 is occasionally thought of as unlucky, although this is mainly imported from Western influence.

In Greece, number13 is the symbol of incorruptible nature, power and purity.

In Russia, number 13 is simply unlucky.

In a world where the majority of people don't identify themselves as particularly superstitious, it's astounding just how much impact superstitions about numbers can have on economies.

It is equally shocking to learn that people the world over do pay a premium simply for a license plate, apartment number, or street address, etc... that contains a lucky number. Developers, manufacturers and retailers have caught on as well, assigning random prices that rely more on the inclusion of lucky numbers than on actual value...

Food for thought!