13 Facts About 13
In honor of Friday the 13th, we’ve compiled a list of fascinating facts about the number 13.
The number 13 has long been enveloped in mystery and superstition, often regarded as unlucky. However, it also holds intriguing significance across various cultures and contexts.
1. Triskaidekaphobia: The Fear of 13
The fear of the number 13 is known as triskaidekaphobia, a term derived from Greek roots: 'tris' (three), 'kai' (and), 'deka' (ten), and 'phobia' (fear). It first appeared in 1911 in an American psychology journal.
In numerology, the number 12 is traditionally seen as a symbol of completeness, reflected in the 12 signs of the zodiac, the 12 hours of the clock, the 12 Apostles, the 12 tribes of Israel, and the 12 days of Christmas, among other examples. By contrast, the number 13 is often viewed as a step beyond completeness, representing transgression or surpassing established boundaries.
2. Friday the 13th Superstition
The combination of Friday and the 13th day of the month is often considered particularly unlucky, a belief that has led to the term friggatriskaidekaphobia, describing the fear of this specific date. Fear of Friday the 13th is suffered by approximately 17-21 million Americans, according to the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in Asheville, N.C., making it a rather common superstition in the U.S.
3. Buildings “Without” a 13th Floor
Many hotels and skyscrapers avoid labeling the 13th floor, opting instead to jump from the 12th to the 14th floor.
4. Airlines Skipping Row 13
Several airlines omit row 13 from their seating arrangements. Next time you’re on a Lufthansa, Ryanair, or Air France flight, watch as the rows skip from 12 to 14.
5. Apollo 13: A Space Odyssey
NASA’s 13th Apollo mission, launched on April 11, 1970, faced critical challenges due to an onboard explosion. Despite the odds, the crew’s safe return turned the mission into a “successful failure.”
6. The Baker’s Dozen
Historically, a “baker's dozen” refers to 13 items, a practice believed to have originated to avoid penalties for selling underweight bread.
7. 13 in the Deck of Cards
A standard deck of cards contains four suits, each with 13 ranks, reflecting the number’s integral role in gaming traditions.
In decks of tarot cards, the 13th card is Death, and usually depicts the Grim Reaper.
8. 13 Original U.S. Colonies
The United States began with 13 original colonies, a number commemorated in the 13 stripes on the national flag.
9. Mathematical Significance
In mathematics, 13 is a prime number, divisible only by 1 and itself. It is also a Fibonacci number.
10. Cultural Variations
While 13 is considered unlucky in many Western cultures, in Italy, it’s often seen as a lucky number, showcasing diverse cultural interpretations.
11. Religious Associations
In Sikhism, the number 13 holds special significance as “Tera,” meaning “Yours,” symbolizing devotion to the Creator.
In Christianity, Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus, was the 13th individual at the table.
In Judaism, there are 13 attributes of mercy and boys become a bar mitzvah at 13 years of age.
12. Sports and Number 13
While many players avoid wearing the number 13 due to superstitions around it being unlucky, there are some very notable exceptions.
In basketball, Wilt Chamberlain wore 13 throughout his career and achieved legendary status.
In football, Dan Marino, the Hall of Fame quarterback for the Miami Dolphins, wore 13 and became one of the NFL’s most iconic players.
In baseball, Alex Rodriguez (A-Rod) chose 13, becoming one of the most famous players to wear the number.
In rugby, the number 13 jersey is typically worn by the outside center player, highlighting its role in sports traditions.
13. Historical Events on Friday the 13th
Several ominous events have occurred on Friday the 13th, reinforcing 13’s ominous reputation.
On Friday, October 13, 1307, King Philip IV of France ordered the arrest of the Knights Templar, a powerful medieval Christian military order. This event is often cited as one origin of the superstition around Friday the 13th.
On Friday, September 13, 1940, during World War II, Buckingham Palace was bombed by Nazi Germany in a Blitz raid.
On Friday, November 13, 1970, Cyclone Bhola, the deadliest tropical cyclone in recorded history, struck East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and India.
On Friday, October 13, 1972, a plane carrying 45 passengers, including a rugby team, crashed in the Andes mountains.
On Friday, October 13, 1989, a sudden sell-off caused a mini-crash in U.S. financial markets, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropping 190.58 points. This event is sometimes referred to as “Black Friday the 13th.”
The number 13’s multifaceted presence in history, culture, and superstition continues to captivate and intrigue, embodying both fear and fascination across the globe. If you’re wondering how CacklePatch and crew feel about it – well, they rather like it. While it is unlucky for some, CacklePatch identifies with its mysterious, unpredictable, and magical nature.
