24 Facts About The Number 13 That Will Make You Think Twice
- According to numerology, 13 symbolizes change and transformation – perfect for a new year.
- In Norse mythology, Odin had 12 sons who – together with himself – create a group of 13 gods.
- The number 13 is associated with the element of air, bringing in more intellectual and creative energy.
- In Tarot, the 13th card is Death – but this actually symbolizes endings that can lead to powerful rebirths and new beginnings!
- The Japanese believe that 13 brings good fortune and luck as it sounds similar to their word for “to live”.
- Counting from zero there are thirteen numbers in a dozen!
- The ancient Sumerians believed the number 13 was sacred and related to their goddess of fertility, Ninlil.
- The number 13 is often considered unlucky in many cultures and superstitions.
- Some buildings, such as hotels and hospitals, often skip the 13th floor.
- The fear of the number 13 is known as triskaidekaphobia.
- Many airlines do not have a row 13 on their planes.
- The death of the Aztec god Quetzalcoatl was associated with the number 13.
- In Tarot, the 13th card in the Major Arcana is the Death card.
- In some sports, such as football and basketball, the number 13 is not often used because of its association with bad luck.
- In some cultures, it is considered unlucky to have 13 people seated at a table for a meal.
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Facts About The Number 13
Here are 24 Facts About The Number 13.
1. Friday the 13 is an unlucky day.
In the western world, when Friday falls on the 13th of a month, the day becomes an extremely unlucky day. It happens at least once a year and the probability of this event can go up to three times a year.
Friday coincided with the 13th of a month three times in 2015. The months were March, February, and November.
READ ALSO: 24 Facts about the month of June (2023)
2. There is a biblical reference to number 13: “the last supper”.
The number 13 also reminds us of the 13 diners at the last supper. Judas one who betrayed Jesus Christ was the 13th guest to arrive.
It was due to his betrayal that Jesus was arrested and crucified. The event is remembered by the Christian community.
3. Number 13 is sacred in Tibetan culture.
According to Tibetan culture, heaven has 13 layers, and the 13th layer is a desireless pure land. Moreover, the pilgrims offer their prayers and ask for mercy by making 13 rounds around Mt. Kailash.
So, Tibetans take number 13 as holy while in western culture it is regarded as a bad omen.
4. The 13th moon is called the blue moon.
It can be seen roughly after every two and a half years. The phenomenon occurs when the reflected light from the moon is blocked by something before reaching the earth’s surface.
The white color changes to blue. The phrase “once in a blue moon” refers to the rarest events that happen.
5. A Jewish male becomes obligated to follow Jewish law at the age of 13.
The ritual is performed in the synagogue. The word “Bar Mitzvah” means “son of the commandments”. The new adult Jews are responsible for keeping the mitzvot. These mitzvot are based on ethics like being good.
6. 13 number is lucky in Hinduism.
According to western culture, thirteen number is unlucky. However, for Hindus 13 number brings good fortune. The 13th day in the Hindu calendar is called Thrayodashi.
Although 108 is the luckiest number in Hinduism on 13th day devotees pray to lord Shiva and day-long fasting is observed. This fact makes the number 13 a positive number.
7. Auguste Comte created a 13th-month calendar.
In 1849, French philosopher and sociologist introduced a calendar with 13 months. Each month had 28 days. The calendar is known as Positivist Calendar.
The calendar has a total number of 364 days in the year. The public refused to endorse it as they were not prepared for such a radical change.
8. Ethiopia follows a 13-months calendar.
The majority of the countries in the world follow 12 months western Georgian calendar. However, Ethiopia follows a 13-months calendar.
The year has 12 months with 30 days and the 13th month usually has 5 days but in a leap year, one more day is added making it 6 days months.
9. In Sikhism 13 has special significance as it translates into “the supreme”.
The number 13 has the meaning of “Tera” in Punjabi which literally means “Yours”. From the perspective of Sikhism, 13 refers to the Creator, to whom everything belongs.
The most revered saint of Sikhs, Guru Nanak was counting numbers and when he reached 13, he said “Tera” and felt he was addressing God.
10. The US flag has 13 strips in red and white.
The 13 alternating red and white stripes represent the 13 original British colonies that gained independence from British Empire.
The original 13 British colonies were Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia, North Carolina, and Rhode Island.
11. 13 great wars have shaped the modern times.
The French revolution, the Mexican-American war, The first war of independence, the Anglo-Bhutan War, World War l, the Second Sino-Japanese War, World War ll, The Korean war, The Vietnam war, the Iraq-Iran war, the War on terror in Afghanistan, Iraq war and the Russia-Ukraine war.
12. “Triskaidekaphobia” means “the fear of 13“.
Number 13 seems to signal bad news in books and movies. From Friday the 13th to thirteen dinner guests. In all examples, someone dies or experiences bad luck.
The word comes from the Greek word “treiskaideka” meaning thirteen combined with phobia. It was first used by psychiatrist Isador Coriat in 1910.
13. Many people avoid the number 13.
The 13 number is considered so unlucky that some people avoid everything involving it, from not staying on the 13th floor of the building to not sitting in row 13 on airplanes to staying home on the 13th day of the month.
In hotels, elevators and rooms skip number thirteen.
14. Tuesday the 13th is unlucky too.
Due to a series of unfavorable events, Tuesday the 13th is considered unlucky in Greek and Hispanic traditions. The fall of Constantinople on Tuesday 29 May 1453 to ottomans and the sum of 1453 also becomes 13.
Moreover, the perfection of 12 is also compromised.
15. Notorious serial killers have names with 13 letters.
The list with 13 letters includes Charles Manson, Albert DeSalvo, Theodore Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, and Jack the Ripper. Charles Manson murdered seven people including the film actress Sharon Tate.
His death sentence was commuted to Life imprisonment.
16. The 13th Rajab is a significant day in Islam.
On this day, Ali ibn Talib, the fourth caliph of the Rashidun caliphate was born in Mecca, the most sacred city of Islam. He is the first imam of the shite sect in Islam.
He was the cousin and son-in-law of the prophet Muhammed, the founder of Islam. The Shia Muslims celebrate this day.
17. Franklin D. Roosevelt disliked dining with 13 people group.
The President of the world’s most powerful country also feared number 13. Roosevelt was somehow a superstitious person. He avoided any travel on Friday the 13th and would stop dining with a group of 13 people.
This all information is provided by his biographer, journalist John Gunther.
18. Devastating events happened on Friday the 13th.
Many catastrophic events have taken place on Friday the 13th. On Friday the 13th in 1972, a Russian plane crashed resulting in 174 causalities. On the same day, a plane also crashed in the Andes.
In 2006, almost 400000 people faced power outages in New York due to heavy snowfall and the day was Friday the 13th.
19. The 13th floor in the buildings is given another name.
The Atlantic made a study of a building with 13 or more floors. It was found that out of 629 buildings, only 55 buildings labeled the 13th floor as the 13th floor.
It means that only 9 percent of buildings name the floor the 13th floor. The remaining 91 percent renamed the floor.
20. A Calendar with 13 months.
The international fixed calendar is a solar calendar with 13 months. It is also known as Cotsworth Plan and the Eastman Plan. It was presented by Moses B Cotsworth way back in 1902 in his book the rational Almanac.
The calendar starts with equal repeating months and realigns the new year with the winter Solstice.
21. Taylor Swift is obsessed with the number 13.
Taylor Swift herself explains why she likes the number 13. It is obvious because she was born on December 13.
She turned 13 on Friday the 13th and her first album went gold in 13 weeks. Moreover, her first song that ever went number 1 had an intro of 13 seconds.
22. There is a secret Society named “the thirteen club”.
The secret society “the thirteen club” existed somewhere between the 17th and 18th centuries. It was an elite club that loved number 13.
The founder of the club was Captain William Fowler, and the members were Grover Cleveland, Theodore Roosevelt, Chester A. Arthur, and Benjamin Harrison.
23. Statistics did prove Friday the 13th wasn’t the Unluckiest day.
Igor Radun published a study in 2004 which suggested that Friday the 13th had no more accidents as compared to any other day. The report couldn’t establish any pattern about Friday the 13th.
Therefore, from the perspective of science and reasoning, there is no need to be afraid of Friday the 13th.
24. The death of Alexander before becoming the 13th God.
In Greek mythology, there were 12 gods and each of the gods represented the month of a year. Alexander the Great wanted to be considered a God.
So that’s why he built a statue of himself in his native town. Soon after its completion, Alexander died.
Conclusion
“Facts About The Number 13” is a topic that is full of interesting and surprising information about this often-misunderstood number. We learned that the number 13 has a long and varied history, and has been associated with both good and bad luck in different cultures.
Despite its reputation, the number 13 is actually quite common and appears in many everyday situations, such as the 13 weeks in a quarter and the 13 stripes on the American flag.
Despite its negative reputation, the number 13 is an important and integral part of our lives, and its significance should not be overlooked.
FAQs : Facts About The Number 13
- What is the significance of the number 13?
There are many superstitions and beliefs surrounding the number 13. Some people consider it to be unlucky, while others see it as a lucky number. Many buildings do not have a 13th floor, and some airlines do not have a 13th row.
- Why is 13 considered to be an unlucky number?
There are a few theories as to why 13 is considered to be an unlucky number. One theory is that it is linked to the Last Supper, where 13 people were present. Another theory is that it is linked to the Norse god Loki, who was known for causing mischief.
- Are there any positive associations with the number 13?
Yes, some people consider 13 to be a lucky number. This is often because 13 is seen as a number of completeness and perfection. There are also 13 lunar cycles in a year, which some people see as auspicious.
- How do people react when they come across the number 13?
Some people feel anxious or uneasy when they come across the number 13. Others may not think anything of it.
- Are there any famous instances of the number 13?
There are a few famous instances of the number 13. One example is that 13 is the number of stripes on the United States flag. Another example is that 13 is the number of original colonies in the United States.
