Superstitions of the WorldThe number 13: superstition explained
What people believe, where it comes from and what is really going on.
The belief
In some countries many buildings skip the 13th floor, and hotels may skip room 13. People may avoid sitting at a table of thirteen.
Where it comes from
The fear of the number, triskaidekaphobia, is linked with the Last Supper and with a Norse myth of a thirteenth guest, Loki, who caused the death of the god Baldr. Twelve is seen as a complete number (12 months, 12 hours, 12 apostles) and 13 as one too many.
What is really going on
Many buildings simply label the 13th floor 14. The fear is real for some people, who can feel anxious; it can be eased by a rational look at the evidence.
See also
- Friday the 13th In many Western countries Friday the 13th is thought unlucky; the fear of it has
- The number 4 in East Asia In Chinese, Japanese and Korean the word for four sounds like the word for death
- The number 8 in China Eight sounds like the word for prosperity in Chinese, so phone numbers, car plat
- The number 7 Seven is lucky in many Western cultures, perhaps from the seven days of Creation
- Friday the 17th in Italy In Italy and some Spanish-speaking countries the unlucky day is Tuesday the 13th
- Number 666 The number of the beast in the Book of Revelation, avoided by some as an address
Questions people ask
What is the superstition about the number 13?
In some countries many buildings skip the 13th floor, and hotels may skip room 13. People may avoid sitting at a table of thirteen.
Is it true?
There is no evidence that it affects events; it is a cultural belief.
This page reports popular beliefs for interest. Superstitions do not predict or cause anything, and nothing here is advice.