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Some anthropologists believe that superstitions and fear about the number 13 originated from an ancient Babylonian document called the Code of Hammurabi. Reportedly, the text omitted the 13th law from its list of legal rules, which ancient civilizations thought to be a sign from the gods.
Mathematicians and scientists point out that the ancient Sumerians created a number system consisting of 12 parts, which is still used to measure time today: 12 months, two 12-hour days, etc. Surely, the number 13 would be inconsequential if it followed such a perfect number!
But many cultures around the world developed superstitions about the number 13 well before they contacted each other. Some believe that this is because early civilizations employed lunar-solar calendars. There are approximately 12.41 lunations per solar year, so there are 12 “true months" plus a smaller, and often ominous, 13th month.
The ancient Mayan calendar consisted of 13 cycles, called Baktun, that totaled a period of 5,125.38 tropical years. In 2012, it was superstitiously feared that the end of the calendar was a portend for the end of the world.
Researchers estimate that as much as 10% of the US population has a fear of the number 13, which is known as triskaidekaphobia.
On Friday, October 13, 1972, a Uruguayan Air Force plane crashed in the Andes. Many of the survivors resorted to cannibalism in order to survive. On the same day, a Russian plane crash killed 174 people in Moscow. Many people have grown to believe that these events foretell doom on this day.
Another historical event that is linked to this fear is the Last Supper, where Judas Iscariot, the betrayer of Jesus, is traditionally believed to have been the 13th guest.
In some Christian traditions, there are 13 members in a coven of witches. Supposedly, this number was chosen so that the witches could mock Jesus and the apostles.
The Arthurian legend, which was recorded in medieval texts, states that King Arthur’s resting place is in Avalon with the 12 greatest knights of the Round Table. Their number totals 13, and the legend suggests that they will return when the country is in peril.
Apollo 13's lunar landing was aborted after an oxygen tank explosion. Although the crew safely returned to Earth, the event is famous for being a "successful failure," and has been scored in the annals of history as foreboding.
Despite superstitions, you can find some instances in Western culture where the number 13 is seen as positive. The number is considered lucky in Italy, where it is associated with fertility and prosperity.
In many Eastern cultures, the number 13 is considered to be lucky. In fact, Indian cultures consider it to be auspicious, as it is connected to the lunar calendar and is celebrated in festivals and ceremonies.
In China, the number 13 is associated with good fortune and prosperity. The Cantonese and Mandarin word for 13 sounds similar to the word for "assured growth" or "definitely vibrant."
But in ancient Egypt and Babylonia, the number was often associated with positive attributes. They viewed it as a symbol of completion and perfection.
But despite people’s beliefs about the number’s negativity or positivity, there are some things out there that are simply factual. Here is a list of them! To start, did you know that there are 13 stripes on the United States flag, representing the original 13 colonies?
Of the 27 amendments to the United States Constitution, the 13th Amendment abolished slavery. It was ratified on December 6, 1865.
In all Germanic languages, 13 is the first compound number. In English, for example, the numbers one to 12 all have their own names, but the word "thirteen" is a combination of "three" and "ten," which is the first time this appears in the numerical order.
In astronomy, the zodiac comprises 13 star constellations, which includes Ophiuchus, whereas astrology recognizes only 12 zodiac signs. It seems we can find the number everywhere we look, but it isn’t always bad!
Sources: (History) (Live Science) (Britannica)
See also: Watch out! It's Friday the 13th! Do you know the origin of this superstition?
To certain numerologists, the number 13 signifies transformation, upheaval, and renewal, coming after the completion of the number 12, which symbolizes unity and balance.
In Western countries, many buildings skip the 13th floor, jumping straight from 12 to 14, and some hotels and hospitals omit room numbers like this as well. Even airplanes have been known to exclude the digit in their rows.
In tarot cards, the Death card is numbered 13 and usually pictures the pale horse with its rider. But contrary to what many believe, it actually symbolizes change rather than literal death.
The number 13 is the atomic number of aluminum: the first non-magnetic metal to appear on the periodic table. Incidentally, there are also only 13 major non-magnetic metals.
In a standard 52-card deck of playing cards, there are four suits, each of 13 ranks.
The Fibonacci sequence starts with 0 and 1, with each subsequent number being the sum of the two preceding numbers. The 13th number in the sequence is 144, which is, incidentally, the square of the number 12–which symbolizes wholeness.
Due to the Last Supper, some believe that, if 13 people sit down to dinner together, one will die within the year.
Another interesting fact is that the human body has 13 major joints, although the total number of major and minor joints found in adults is around 350.
There are a significant number of people who fear the number 13 if it lands on a Friday, a fear known as paraskevidekatriaphobia. Friday, October 13, 1307, was the day that King Philip IV of France ordered the arrest and murder of the Knights Templar, which meant that the day would be forever seen as portentous.
The number 13 has certainly played its role in making people believe in the unlucky and the impossibly negative. Some cultures go out of their way to avoid the number, as it supposedly foretells of destruction and doom, while other cultures emblazon the number everywhere they can. But where do these superstitions come from?
Click through this gallery to find out all you can about the number 13, and what beliefs have come from it.
Ancient cultures tended to have a varied opinion regarding this number. In Norse mythology, Loki was the 13th god in the Norse pantheon and was responsible for causing chaos and trouble.
The number 13: conspiracies and questions about luck
How do you feel about this controversial number?
LIFESTYLE Superstitions
The number 13 has certainly played its role in making people believe in the unlucky and the impossibly negative. Some cultures go out of their way to avoid the number, as it supposedly foretells of destruction and doom, while other cultures emblazon the number everywhere they can. But where do these superstitions come from?
Click through this gallery to find out all you can about the number 13, and what beliefs have come from it.