Introduction:
The number thirteen has a fascinating and often mysterious history. It evokes feelings of superstition, fear, and confusion. From ancient folklore to modern numerology, the number 13 stands out for being considered unlucky. Most of us can think of a time when we heard of or experienced something ‘unlucky 13’ but few of us know why 13 is shrouded in mystery and thought of as bad luck. Read on to discover fifteen interesting facts about the number 13.
Fact 1: The Root of the Fear
The fear of the number 13 is known as triskaidekaphobia. Although it is considered a superstition, this fear quickly became so widespread that it has been documented as early as the time of Christ. Interestingly, reasons for its negative connotation vary from person to person. Some consider the number unlucky because it is one number away from 12 — a traditionally lucky number. Another popular theory is that the Last Supper included thirteen people and it soon became a bad omen.
Fact 2: Astronomical Oddity
The solar system has twelve planets with the asteroid, Vesta, considered its thirteenth. Although this asteroid has caused speculations and fascination, respect for the number 13 is still rare in the astronomical field. One example is Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s course catalog in which courses are labeled by number. The ‘13th’ course was marked ’12A’, bypassing the unique number.
Fact 3: Superstition in the Corporate world
Large corporations have also followed in the superstitions of 13. It’s not uncommon to have the 13th floor omitted from skyscrapers. This is done to either avoid pricing drops and for the convenience of marketing. Hotels or apartments often skip the number altogether, omitting 13 from their numbering system.
Fact 4: The Holy Number
Although 13 has earned a negative reputation, the number is actually quite holy. There are thirteen attributes mentioned in the Jewish faith and each one is associated with kindness and mercy. Also, in the Christian tradition, the 12 Apostles were called to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and with the addition of Jesus, himself, the number reaches 13.
Fact 5: Equality Amongst Numbers
Often, the number 13 comes in the form of equality. The elements of the 13th row on the periodic table have almost equal atomic radii. Also, the atomic mass and atomic number of the elements are equal and the atomic number of each aforementioned element is 13. Adding to the equality of 13, methane, C4H10, contains 4 carbon atoms and 10 hydrogen atoms.
Fact 6 Egyptian Royalty
The affinity of 12 has been intrinsically woven into Egyptian Royalty. Egypt’s famous twelfth dynasty was known for its prosperity and plethora of famous Pharaohs — ending with a thirteenth Pharaoh, Sobeknefru. The final Pharaoh, Sobeknefru, was known for her powerful reign and that she is the only known female Pharaoh of the twelfth dynasty, of any dynasty for that matter.
Fact 7: Friday the 13th
This superstition alone probably gives most people constant chills. When Friday the 13th falls in the same month as a full moon, popularly known as a ‘Blood Moon’, it is said to be even more superstitious. The combination of the two is said to mean that something bad is near. Traditionally, this alignment of celestial events is a sign for extreme caution.
Fact 8: Unlucky in business, lucky in life
It’s common knowledge that businesses will often drop 13 from any equation, be it the number of floors or the number of items. But did you know that a 13th guest at a dinner party is said to bring luck and joy? Believed to possess special favor, the glorious appellation of the 13th guest is someone with a pocket- full of luck.
Fact 9: Number Correlations
13 links to some even more intriguing connections. Matters of spiritualism, such as the 13- letter Hebrew name of God, reveal divine favor towards the number. Also, when considering the topics of astrology, Chinese numerology, and the ancient occult, 13 appears as a symbol of transformation and inner-awareness.
Fact 10: Thirteen Card Game
As a celebration of the number, 13 is often used in card games. The most popular one is Bridge. This is a game of four players that involves a 13-card hand, with the object of the game to win the bid and make the contract. There are other card games based on the same premise, such as Euchre, Skat, and Pinochle.
Fact 11: Wave’s of 13
13, with its unique electronic structure, is especially important in the world of physics. Its distinctive emission pattern of three electron waves is called shell structure. This pattern was first discovered in 1913. Every form of energy, from light to sound, has a distinct shape of waves that is associated with matter.
Fact 12: Arithmomania
Arithmomania is a mental disorder that involves persistent thoughts related to numbers. People with arithmomania experience anxiety and obsessive-compulsive preoccupation over numerical patterns. This could range from dates to numbers on cash bills to the number 13.
Fact 13: Witchcraft and Covens
Not surprisingly, 13 also has a role to play in the world of witchcraft. It’s believed that a group of witches requires 13 members to form a ‘coven’. The structure is thought to be built upon the 12 qualities of the Earth and the 13th member being the ‘assistant’, or the spirit of witchcraft.
Fact 14: Symbolic Representations
13 is often depicted as a symbol in various traditional religious woodcarvings, Chinese paintings, and art therapy withdrawn figures. The ancient Egyptians used symbols to represent deities, animals, and even numbers. Here, 13 is represented as a serpent. It’s also believed that the Aztecs worshiped an elephant god that represented the number 13.
Fact 15: Bakers’ Dozen
A common phrase that arguably originated in a time when laws were passed to protect consumers is ‘Bakers’ Dozen’. This refers to the practice of voluntarily giving thirteen items when selling twelve due to a fear of being caught or punished for selling something short of a dozen.
Conclusion
The number 13 has a long-standing history of mysterious tales, superstitions, and mixed opinions. Many would quite literally rather die than ride an elevator up the thirteenth floor! People all over the world attribute either bad or good luck to the unlucky number in one way or another. The number thirteen is a source of fascination and mystery, a source that we may never fully understand but can always appreciate.
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