Superstitions of the WorldNumbers and dates
Unlucky 13, lucky 7 and 8, and the number 4
Numbers and dates carry some of the most widespread superstitions. Which numbers are lucky or unlucky depends on the language and the culture, usually because of a pun, a story or a religious tradition.
8 entries
Friday the 13thIn many Western countries Friday the 13th is thought unlucky; the fear of it has a name (paraskevidekatriaphobia).
The number 13In some countries buildings have no 13th floor and hotels no room 13; the belief is linked to the Last Supper, where there were thirteen at the table, and to the old Norse tale of Loki as the thirteenth guest.
The number 4 in East AsiaIn Chinese, Japanese and Korean the word for four sounds like the word for death, so hospitals and buildings may avoid it.
The number 8 in ChinaEight sounds like the word for prosperity in Chinese, so phone numbers, car plates and addresses with 8 are prized; the Beijing Olympics opened on 8/8/08 at 8 pm.
The number 7Seven is lucky in many Western cultures, perhaps from the seven days of Creation and the seven heavens in several religions.
Friday the 17th in ItalyIn Italy and some Spanish-speaking countries the unlucky day is Tuesday the 13th or Friday the 17th, as the Roman numeral XVII can be rearranged as VIXI, "I have lived", meaning death.
Number 666The number of the beast in the Book of Revelation, avoided by some as an address or a car plate.
Lucky 9 in ChinaNine sounds like the word for "long-lasting", and is the number of the emperor.
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This page reports popular beliefs for interest. Superstitions do not predict or cause anything, and nothing here is advice.