Everyone says 13 is a bad luck. Why? At first glance, it’s a very ordinary number. But many legends and beliefs are associated with it. Someone considers this a fiction, someone firmly believes that 13 is a unlucky number. Why? This is what will be discussed in the article.
Baker's dozen
The reason for the unlucky number 13 comes from the depths of centuries. In ancient times, many nations used the calculus method, which differs from the modern decimal system. It was based on the number 12, and the score was made by dozens. The number 13 against this background was rather doubtful, since it was not divisible by any other number, except for unity and eigenvalue.
Everyone said that 13 is an unlucky number. Why? The number 12 was considered the end of a dozen and was associated with a perfect and harmonious end to the world, and adding anything to it called into question this superiority. In addition, the number 13 goes beyond a dozen, and thus, a transition to the unknown, which in ancient times corresponded to death, takes place.
They say: 13 - the number is unlucky. Why? Since ancient times, it has received the name "damn dozen," which has an ominous and magical meaning. In the Middle Ages, the legend of the Sabbath of 12 witches and Satan was born. The thirteenth man sitting at the table with Jesus Christ was the apostle who subsequently betrayed him.
Superstitions caused by the number 13
Why is 13 an unlucky number? What superstitions are associated with it? Unfortunately, a negative attitude towards the "damn dozen" is present at the present time. Scientists explain this as a typical superstition that got its origins from ancient times. But at the same time, they note the fact of an increase in negative events and accidents on this day.
13 is of great concern to the Americans. There is no 13th floor in the hotel, 13th flight, 13th row on the plane, and so on. Europe also is not inferior to them. For example, in France it is considered a great failure to have 13 employees at the company or to receive 13 guests, in this case, usually one more person is added or a doll sits at the table.
For many people 13 causes, if not fear, then anxiety and discomfort. This applies to both ordinary people and celebrities. Napoleon on this day refused to fight, the composer Arnold Schoenberg, fearing very much on the 13th, died at that time.
There is a rather interesting old superstition that a person whose sum of letters of his last name and first name is thirteen has the fate of the devil. But the inhabitants of ancient Egypt considered this number to be lucky in connection with the afterlife. 13 can be called the greatest superstition of all that exists in the modern world.
Friday the 13th
The number 13 during the year several times falls on the day of the week - Friday, and such a combination is considered very unfavorable and mystical. People are wary and wary of this period.
Why is Friday the 13th most unlucky? According to legend, on Friday, Eve gave Adam a forbidden apple, Cain killed Abel’s brother. On Friday, October 13, 1307, the Templars were destroyed with particular cruelty.
Every fifth European experiences fear on the 13th, and especially when hit on Friday. Surgeons refuse operations, it is not recommended to make deals and celebrate weddings.
A great danger lurks for computer programs, as various viruses are created that begin to work precisely in this period. According to popular beliefs, it is enough to go to church to prevent the harmful effects of Friday the 13th.
Cinema and mysticism
Why is 13 an unlucky number? Friday the 13th, with its fears and superstitions, is widely used in cinema. At the end of the twentieth century, a film of the same name was created about a serial killer in the mask of a hockey player who resurrects on the day when he died and takes revenge on everyone.
There are 12 horror films of this series. In the winter of 2017, it is planned to show the audience one more. Thus, cultural workers stir up passions and emphasize the magical effect of Black Friday.
Why is the 13th unlucky?
It cannot be specifically explained why the number 13 is considered unlucky. According to some observations, more tragedies, disasters and troubles happen on this day. But this can be explained by the fact that the 13th number of ingrained superstitions attracts more attention than all the other days. And everything else is just a coincidence, a similar event could happen at any other time.
On this occasion, “Clubs of thirteen” have been created in some countries, which regularly gather on the 13th of 13 people and thereby prove that the exceptional number is a myth and superstition, since nothing bad happens to them.
This number was considered lucky by such nationalities as Mayans and Aztecs, their calendar had 13 months and the same number of days. This opinion on this subject and the Italians. The Chinese fortune-telling in the Book of Changes also makes 13 positive, conducive to success and development.
Proverbs about the unlucky number 13
Folk traditions are reflected in sayings and proverbs. The popular number 13 has not passed this. Here are some:
- The thirteenth guest is under the table.
- Thirteen is an unlucky number.
- Thirteenth does not sit at the table.
- Your brother is thirteen for a dozen put, and even then do not take.
It should be noted that compared to other numbers that are considered lucky, 13 are not often mentioned in statements. And the phrases themselves evoke anxiety and negative emotions, that is, they convey the attitude of the people to the number itself.
Why is the number 13 considered unlucky? Should this be given special attention? Each person in a certain period experiences adversity and failure. If they occur on any day of the month, except on the 13th, this is perceived as inevitable by absolutely all people. But if tragedy 13 happened, two camps will form. Some believe in a simple coincidence, while others believe that the reason is precisely in the number. There are a lot of them and it’s hard to say when the human consciousness will stop reacting to this event.