Is 13 really unlucky? Explore the origins of this superstition and why some people fear Friday the 13th.
The number 13 has been considered unlucky for centuries across many cultures. But where does this belief come from?
One theory suggests that 13 disrupts the feeling of completeness associated with the number 12, like 12 months in a year or 12 zodiac signs.
In some cultures, 13 is linked to negative events. Norse mythology tells of a trickster god causing trouble at a gathering of 12 deities.
In Christianity, Judas, the betrayer of Jesus, is said to be the 13th person to sit at the Last Supper table.
The combination of Friday, often associated with bad luck, and number 13 creates a double whammy of misfortune in popular belief.
This fear has a name - triskaidekaphobia. People with this phobia may experience anxiety or avoid situations involving the number 13.
There's no scientific evidence to support the unluckiness of 13. It's simply a cultural belief.
Next time you see the number 13, remember it's just a number. But the story behind it is pretty interesting!