Have you ever felt uneasy about staying on the 13th floor of a hotel or hesitated when Friday falls on the 13th? It might seem irrational to fear a number, but for millions, the superstition surrounding 13 is very real. In fact, a significant portion of the population in some Western countries admits to feeling bothered by this particular number, influencing behaviors from building designs to everyday decisions. But where does this widespread aversion come from, and why does the number 13 carry such a heavy burden of bad luck?
The Murky Origins of Triskaidekaphobia
The fear of the number 13, known as triskaidekaphobia, has roots that are not entirely clear, shrouded in speculation and historical anecdotes. One prominent theory suggests its unlucky association arises simply from its position following the number 12, often regarded as a symbol of completeness and perfection. Consider the twelve months of the year, the twelve signs of the zodiac, or the twelve apostles of Jesus. In this context, 13 becomes the number that disrupts this harmonious completeness, stepping just beyond perceived perfection. Joe Nickell, a researcher of paranormal claims, highlights this contrast, suggesting that 13’s ill repute may stem from its deviation from the ‘complete’ dozen.
Another thread in the tapestry of 13’s unlucky lore involves infamous gatherings where the number thirteen played a significant role. Norse mythology recounts a tale where Loki, the trickster god, arrived as the 13th guest at a feast in Valhalla, subsequently instigating events that led to the death of the beloved god Baldur. Similarly, in Christian tradition, Judas Iscariot, the apostle who betrayed Jesus, is remembered as the 13th guest at the Last Supper. These stories, whether factual or apocryphal, have contributed to the number 13’s association with treachery and misfortune.
Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” depicts Judas as the 13th guest, a possible origin for the unlucky number 13 superstition.
However, it’s crucial to recognize that the attachment of bad luck to any number is essentially a sociocultural phenomenon. Superstitions, like rumors, can take hold and spread within a society when conditions are favorable. They gain momentum, evolving and solidifying into accepted ‘truths’ over time, much like urban legends passed down through generations.
Interestingly, the concept of unlucky numbers varies across cultures. While 13 is often shunned in Western cultures, other numbers face similar prejudice elsewhere. In Japan, the number 9 is considered unlucky because its pronunciation is similar to the word for “suffering.” In Italy, 17 holds the unfortunate title. In China, the number 4, pronounced similarly to “death,” is avoided even more actively than 13 is in the West. This aversion is so strong that some are willing to pay extra to exclude 4 from cellphone numbers. Conversely, while 666 is feared in many Christian communities due to its association with the beast in the Book of Revelation, it’s considered lucky in China. There’s even a formal phobia name for the fear of 666: hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia.
Psychological and Social Roots of Number Phobias
Phobias, including those related to specific numbers, are complex psychological phenomena with diverse origins. Some phobias arise from direct negative experiences, such as developing a fear of dogs after being bitten. Risk factors for developing phobias can include youth, family history of phobias, sensitive personality traits, and exposure to phobic behaviors in others.
In the case of the number 13, part of its negative connotation could stem from its relative unfamiliarity. Psychologists refer to a “[felt sense of anomaly]” – essentially, things that are less common can feel unsettling. In daily life, 13 is less prevalent than 12. We don’t have a 13th month on our calendars, a 13-inch standard ruler, or a 13 o’clock on the clock. This unfamiliarity, while not inherently causing a phobia, can contribute to a sense of unease. Psychological research indicates that humans tend to prefer familiarity and view the unfamiliar with more suspicion, making it easier to associate negative attributes with something less common like the number 13.
Furthermore, the superstition around 13 may be reinforced by confirmation bias, similar to beliefs surrounding “full moon effects.” Despite scientific debunking, many people still believe the full moon influences human behavior. This persistence occurs because people tend to notice and remember instances that confirm their beliefs and overlook contradictory evidence. For example, if someone has a negative event occur on Friday the 13th, they are more likely to remember and emphasize the date’s significance, reinforcing the superstition. Once these beliefs are entrenched, they become remarkably resistant to change.
Social influence plays a powerful role in the propagation of superstitions. The fear of 13, like other common superstitions such as avoiding walking under ladders or knocking on wood, can be seen as a social meme. Coined by biologist Richard Dawkins, a meme, in this context, is an idea or piece of information that spreads through a population, replicating and evolving as it’s communicated. The “13 is unlucky” meme is a simple concept that resonates for various reasons, then disseminates through cultural transmission. Once internalized, this piece of “pseudo-knowledge” can provide believers with a perceived sense of control over the anxieties associated with it.
The Real-World Impact of False Beliefs
Even though superstitions are based on false premises, they can have tangible consequences. Public-facing organizations sometimes cater to popular superstitions, perhaps to avoid negative perceptions. NASA, for example, after the near-disaster of the Apollo 13 mission, ceased sequentially numbering space shuttle missions, opting to call the 13th flight STS-41-G. Brussels Airlines, responding to passenger complaints about their 13-dot logo, added a 14th dot in a 2006 redesign. Many airlines also skip row 13 in their seating arrangements, directly reflecting the widespread superstition.
Many high-rise buildings, particularly hotels, omit the 13th floor in elevator numbering due to the superstition surrounding the number 13.
While accommodating superstitions might seem harmless, it’s important to recognize that false beliefs, in general, can be detrimental. Consider the dangers of health fraud and unproven remedies, for instance. It would be arguably more beneficial for influential entities to educate the public about critical thinking and the dangers of unfounded beliefs rather than reinforcing superstitions.
Ultimately, the superstition surrounding the number 13 highlights the fascinating interplay between cultural narratives, psychological tendencies, and social influence. While rooted in murky origins and lacking empirical basis, the fear of 13 persists, shaping behaviors and decisions across societies. Understanding the dynamics of such widespread superstitions offers valuable insights into how beliefs, both rational and irrational, take hold and impact human behavior on a large scale.
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
