Lucky and unlucky number beliefs: a look at 13 popular superstitions
In the realm of numbers, some are considered lucky, while others are shrouded in superstition and fear. Let's delve into the fascinating world of numerical superstitions and explore their origins and modern-day influence.
The number 13, infamous for its association with bad luck, finds its roots in ancient cultural beliefs. Associated with death and misfortune in several civilizations, including the Norse and Egyptian, the number 13 was often referred to as the "number of death" [1][3][5]. Central to this superstition is the Christian tradition of the Last Supper, where Jesus dined with his 12 apostles, making a total of 13 people present before his crucifixion on a Friday. The presence of a 13th guest, often identified as Judas—the betrayer—linked both the number 13 and Friday with misfortune [1][3].
Similarly, Norse mythology contributes to the fear of 13 through the story of Loki, the trickster god, arriving uninvited as the 13th guest at a banquet in Valhalla, causing chaos and death [2][3]. This combination of ancient numerological fear, Friday's association with bad luck in Western culture, and religious/mythological stories has intensified the superstition especially around Friday the 13th, which is widely regarded as an omen of bad luck [1][3][5].
Contrasting the fear surrounding the number 13, the number seven is considered lucky due to its role in history, culture, and legend. Seven wonders of the world, seven seas, seven days of the week, and the ever-lucky four-leaf clover all contribute to this positive association [4].
In many Asian countries, the number four has a decidedly unlucky air due to its similarity to the words for "death" in these languages when pronounced out loud [6]. On the other hand, the number six is about as lucky as it gets in Chinese culture, due to the word for six sounding awfully similar to the word for "smooth" or "flowing" [7].
The number 21 is considered lucky due to its association with the lucky numbers three and seven, and it's seen as the start of a new life stage [8]. The number nine is considered lucky due to its association with the Holy Trinity and its tripled representation of the lucky number three [9].
Interestingly, some superstitious individuals believe that even numbers are unlucky, while odd numbers are considered lucky [10]. This belief is rooted in the idea that even numbers are divisible, potentially leading to misfortune [11].
Counting the number of warts on your body and revealing the number to a stranger is believed to cure warts, while counting money, children, possessions, livestock, or gambling winnings is considered bad luck [12]. Weighing babies at birth is also believed to bring bad luck, and counting chickens before they hatch is another superstition that warns against anticipating good fortune prematurely [13].
In Japanese culture, the number 17 is treated with the same superstition as North American cultures treat 13, due to the rearrangement of the number XVII to form VIXI, which roughly translates to "I'm now dead" or "my life is over" [14]. Yakudoshi is a term in Japanese culture that refers to unlucky ages for women (19, 33, and 37) and men (25, 42, and 60) [15].
To appease suspicious individuals, many high-rises do not have a 13th floor, and the number three is considered lucky due to its association with the creation of a family and the Holy Trinity [3][16]. The number 12 is considered lucky, despite being even, due to its divisibility and proximity to the unlucky number 13 [17]. Some people believe that tearing the corner off a two-dollar bill to make it odd-shaped brings good luck [18].
The number eight is considered lucky due to its association with resurrection and renewal in Christianity, and the Chinese celebrate the number eight because it sounds like the Cantonese word for "prosperity" [19]. The rationale behind the superstition that bad things happen in threes is unclear, but it persists in modern culture [10].
These superstitions, while seemingly irrational, have a significant impact on modern culture. For instance, the superstition related to the number 13, known as triskaidekaphobia, causes economic losses in the United States to the tune of almost a billion dollars on Friday the 13th [1][3][5].
In conclusion, numbers hold a powerful sway over human perception and behaviour, with both lucky and unlucky superstitions shaping our beliefs and influencing our actions. From the feared number 13 to the lucky number 7, these superstitions have persisted throughout history and continue to captivate us today.
- The number 13, known for its association with bad luck, traces its roots to various cultural beliefs, including the Norse and Egyptian, where it was often called the "number of death."
- In contrast, the number seven is considered lucky due to its significance in history, culture, and legend, with associations such as the seven wonders of the world and the seven days of the week.
- The number six is generally unlucky in Chinese culture, while the number eight is perceived as lucky due to its resemblance to the word for "prosperity" in Cantonese.
- The number 21 is deemed lucky because of its connection to the lucky numbers three and seven, and it is associated with the start of a new life stage.
- Some people believe that even numbers are unlucky, stemming from the idea that they are divisible and might potentially lead to misfortune, while odd numbers are favored as lucky.
