Friday the 13th

Historical Roots

The number 13's reputation as unlucky has deep historical and mythological roots. Gary Arndt explains that while twelve is a harmonious number, thirteen disrupts this balance. Ancient Norse legends tell of Loki, the 13th guest at a Valhalla dinner, causing chaos and death. Similarly, the New Testament recounts Judas Iscariot as the 13th attendee at the Last Supper, who betrayed Jesus 1.

   

Persistent Superstition

Efforts to dispel the superstition around 13 have been ongoing, yet the number remains feared. In the 19th century, Captain William Fowler founded the 13 Club to challenge this belief, attracting notable members like five U.S. presidents. Despite such efforts, buildings often skip the 13th floor, and many people still avoid the number 2. The fear of 13, known as trischaidachophobia, is culturally specific, with other numbers being considered unlucky in different parts of the world, such as four in East Asia and 17 in Italy 2.