Why is the number 13 supposed to be unlucky? - GoFuckYourself.com

Evil Chris · 02-13-2006, 11:35 AM

It seems that anywhere you go in the world, the number 13 is considered unlucky. Anyone know why?

Someone showed me a page which was explaining a few things about the US 1 dollar bill. Here's some stuff I read about the design of the back of the bill.

Quote:

They say that the number 13 is an unlucky number. This is almost a worldwide belief. You will usually never see a room numbered 13, or any hotels or motels with a 13th floor. But, think about this: 13 original colonies, 13 stripes on our flag, 13 steps on the Pyramid, 13 letters in the Latin above, 13 letters in "E Pluribus Unum", 13 stars above the Eagle, 13 plumes of feathers on each span of the Eagle's wing, 13 bars on that shield, 13 leaves on the olive branch, 13 fruits, and if you look closely, 13 arrows. And for minorities: the 13th Amendment.

Strange...

tree · 02-13-2006, 11:36 AM

i have a 13 inch penis

Tom_PM · 02-13-2006, 11:38 AM

I was born on the 13th.

StuartD · 02-13-2006, 11:39 AM

that explains how much luck the US dollar has been having lately.

RuthB · 02-13-2006, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NichePay - StuartD

that explains how much luck the US dollar has been having lately.

Big Red Machine · 02-13-2006, 11:43 AM

Alot of things that were lucky for Pagans like a black cat and the #13. Became evil when the Christians were converting them. In Ireland its a good thing for a Black Cat to cross your path. To make it easier to convert European Pagans they kept some things like the X-mas tree, X-mas is around the Winter Solitice which was a Pagan holliday

Evil Chris · 02-13-2006, 11:46 AM

Today is February 13th.

G-Rotica · 02-13-2006, 11:49 AM

It's not so much the number 13 as it is Friday the 13th. It's centered around the Knights Templar. http://www.ancientquest.com/embark/templar.html

Big Red Machine · 02-13-2006, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-Rotica

It's not so much the number 13 as it is Friday the 13th. It's centered around the Knights Templar. http://www.ancientquest.com/embark/templar.html

Thats the day they decided to Ambush the Knights

Phoenix · 02-13-2006, 12:38 PM

13 us really just the 7th prime...so it is only the 7th number

Kevsh · 02-13-2006, 12:52 PM

Ask the Olympic lugers and skiers today that wiped out badly, I'm sure they still believe

RayBonga · 02-13-2006, 12:53 PM

It was the number of people on the table with Christ before He was crucified.

So it started to be considered unlucky to have 13 people at the table, then it just got out of control.

At least this is the version I've heard.

chase · 02-13-2006, 12:57 PM

I was born on Friday the 13th, May 1977. It was pretty lucky for me. ;-)

RayBonga · 02-13-2006, 12:59 PM

Quote:

As lucky, unlucky, or significant number

Thirteen is regarded as an unlucky number in many cultures. One (probably unverifiable) theory holds that 13 is a reflection of the human fear of the unknown, since it is the first number that cannot be enumerated by using our 10 fingers and 2 feet. Unreasoned fear of the number 13 is termed triskaidekaphobia. Due to this fear, some tall buildings have resorted to skipping the "thirteenth floor", simply by numbering it "14" (though it's really still the thirteenth floor) or by designating the floor "12a" or similar instead. The thirteenth of a month is likewise ominous, particularly when it falls on a Friday (see Friday the 13th), or in the Spanish-speaking world, a Tuesday. The 13th falls on a Friday more often than any other day. In fact it occurs more often than any other day/number combination except those that coincide with it (Thursday the 12th, Saturday the 14th, etc). Months with a Friday the 13th always begin on a Sunday.

A small minority of left handers (see "left handed") consider 13 to be their "lucky" number. This is possibly derived from unlucky being an antonym for lucky (7 is a popular lucky number in Western culture). Many left handers are taught to do the opposite when learning new skills from a right handed instructor. Thus they consider 13 to be their "lucky" number as it is the opposite of 13 being the "unlucky" number.

The number is also considered unlucky by some as it is the sum of 1-4-5-3, the year of the fall of Constantinople to the Turks, marking the end of the Byzantine Empire, though it may be considered lucky by Turks, on the same basis!

In the Christian religion, the number is considered significant since there were thirteen present at the Last Supper. Also, if both Judas and Matthias are counted, there were thirteen apostles. Thirteen was also once associated with the Epiphany by Christians, the child Jesus having received the Magi on his thirteenth day of life.

In the Jewish tradition, 13 signifies the age of maturity, a 13 year old Jew is said to be Bar mitzvah. 13 appears in other places in the Hebrew Bible though not as often as other famous biblical numbers such as 7 and 12. Thirteen also occurs in different list of important characteristics, such as God's thirteen attributes or Maimonides Thirteen Principles of Faith. In fact, one could say that for Jews, 13 is more of a lucky number than an unlucky one.

In the Sikh religion, the number 13 is considered a special number since 13 is tera in Punjabi which also means "yours" (as in, "I am yours, O Lord"). When Guru Nanak Dev Ji had a job of counting stocks of items, he counted from 1 to 13 (in Punjabi) as one does normally, but after reaching the count of 13, he would just repeat "tera", since all items were in fact God's, as God created them. When somebody heard this while passing, Guru Nanak Dev Ji was confronted about this, and his records were checked. It was a miracle since they were all perfect, yet he never seemed to count the items properly.

Modern day witches have reclaimed the number 13 as a lucky and significant number. This may be similar to witches reclaiming other previously negative terms and ideas associated with witchcraft, such as black cats, brooms, and even the term witch itself. In modern day Wicca, thirteen is considered the maximum size of a coven, and in some traditions the ideal number of members.

Amongst some Chinese people, it is regarded as a lucky number because it sounds similar to "hahaha23526;hahaha29983;", which means "must be alive". But this belief is not universal, or even known to all Chinese. Also, 13 is regarded as unlucky by those Chinese under the influence of foreign cultures.

In the Persian's (Iranian's) culture, 13 is also considered an unlucky number. On the 13th day of the Persian new year (Norouz), people consider staying at home unlucky, and go outside for a picnic in order to ward off the bad luck.

In The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, "What is six times nine" is posed as the question to the answer to life, the universe and everything (42). This is true in base 13, although this was merely coincidence according to author Douglas Adams.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/13_%28number%29

Looks like everyone has a story...

webgurl · 02-13-2006, 01:36 PM

there are many elevators that skip the number 13 in condo/apt
buildings also take away the "#1" and 3 itself is suppose to be
a evil number as well

bonjour chrissssss

sickkittens · 02-13-2006, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RayBonga

It was the number of people on the table with Christ before He was crucified.

So it started to be considered unlucky to have 13 people at the table, then it just got out of control.

At least this is the version I've heard.

There are actually 12 other versions.

chupachups · 02-13-2006, 01:52 PM

I was born today, friday the 13th of february 1976 (yes, 30 years) and yes, as far as I know (and as you might understand, I have done some research) the bad luck is because of the "last supper".

Sorry, off to get some more drinks!

NyLoS · 02-13-2006, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phoenix

13 us really just the 7th prime...so it is only the 7th number

its the 6th prime

(i guess you think 9 is prime, but it can be divided by 3, so its not prime... prime numbers can not be devided by any number but 1 or itself)

NyLoS · 02-13-2006, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chase

I was born on Friday the 13th, May 1977. It was pretty lucky for me. ;-)

unlucky for the rest of us though

chase · 02-13-2006, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NyLoS

unlucky for the rest of us though

Perhaps for you, but I'm sure some folks around here would disagree, you charmer.

Darkland · 02-13-2006, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Red Machine

Alot of things that were lucky for Pagans like a black cat and the #13. Became evil when the Christians were converting them. In Ireland its a good thing for a Black Cat to cross your path. To make it easier to convert European Pagans they kept some things like the X-mas tree, X-mas is around the Winter Solitice which was a Pagan holliday

and dont forget that they changed also the day of Sabbath to coincide with the day the Pagans worshipped their gods/godesses which is Sunday. Most Christian Sects went along with this so as to distance themselves from the Jews. It is pretty amazing how blind present day christians are as to how infused their religion is with Pagan Events and Practices.

bobby666 · 02-13-2006, 02:25 PM

because the 13th apostle always came too late to jesus' fanclub (cause he was drunken)
therefore the history storied only 12 of them, even michael angelo only dared to draw 12 of them at the last last supper :-)

xNetworx · 02-13-2006, 02:29 PM

My condo is #13 and I have had decent luck since moved there, knock on wood

Evil Doer · 02-13-2006, 02:38 PM

I had the best of luck on my basketball team, I was #13...

.. although I did break my arm on Friday the 13th, that wasn't so lucky

Violetta · 02-13-2006, 02:40 PM

I'm 13 feet tall!

tristan_D · 02-13-2006, 04:06 PM

I heard in Japan they are more superstitious with the number 4

bobby666 · 02-13-2006, 05:23 PM

number 4 in japan is right:
psion didn't dare to release a organizer version 4 of their pdas

WME · 02-13-2006, 06:03 PM

I get excited by Friday the 13ths. I look forward to something memorable to happen

EdgeXXX · 02-13-2006, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evil Chris

It seems that anywhere you go in the world, the number 13 is considered unlucky. Anyone know why?

Someone showed me a page which was explaining a few things about the US 1 dollar bill. Here's some stuff I read about the design of the back of the bill.

Strange...

Actually, the reason that the are so many occurances of the number 13 on the US $1 bill is in reference to the original 13 american colonies.

aimeesweet · 02-13-2006, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chase

I was born on Friday the 13th, May 1977. It was pretty lucky for me. ;-)

LOL I was almost born that day... but I held out till early am on the 14th.

PixeLs · 02-13-2006, 07:04 PM

My girlfriend answered YES on her birthday-June 13th.

chase · 02-13-2006, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aimeesweet

LOL I was almost born that day... but I held out till early am on the 14th.

Cute, lol, I'm about 12 hours older, heh!

nico-t · 02-13-2006, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by webgurl

there are many elevators that skip the number 13 in condo/apt
buildings

thats pretty stupid

Persignup Dustin · 02-13-2006, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tree

i have a 13 inch penis

Me too! I thought I was the only one!

500 posts bitches!!!

reed_4 · 02-14-2006, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WME

I get excited by Friday the 13ths. I look forward to something memorable to happen

i hope something good will happen to you today.

je_rome · 02-14-2006, 02:23 AM

i never believed that... my birthday falls on the 13th. and it has been decades that the number 13 proved its worth to our family. that's our lucky number.

Evil Chris · 02-14-2006, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdgeXXX

Actually, the reason that the are so many occurances of the number 13 on the US $1 bill is in reference to the original 13 american colonies.

That makes the most sense with regards to all the 13s on the dollar bill.

BuggyG · 02-14-2006, 03:13 PM

actually.. 13 considered lucky in Italy

GlydeGirl · 02-14-2006, 03:17 PM

You are all a bunch of superstitious fools!

$5 submissions · 02-14-2006, 03:57 PM

Although I got a chuckle about the 13" penis answer above, here's a particularly useful link re the many differing explanations why 13 is viewed as unlucky:
http://www.answerbag.com/q_view.php/8316

ArkansasDave · 02-14-2006, 04:00 PM

i ate 13 pancakes once ...

eroswebmaster · 02-14-2006, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by je_rome

i never believed that... my birthday falls on the 13th. and it has been decades that the number 13 proved its worth to our family. that's our lucky number.

but apparently GFY"s unlucky number

nick1980 · 02-14-2006, 07:19 PM

Why 13 is famous as Unlucky?

* Alexander wanted to be a God and accordingly made a 13th statue on the place of his capital. He died and people considered that his will to be a 13th God (12 gods, one for each month were known) was the reason of his death. After that this number was considered as unlucky.
* According to historians, there were 13 people at Christ's Last Supper and Christ was crucified on Friday 13th. So, Friday 13th is considered as Unlucky.

http://www.shyamsundergupta.com/unlucky13.htm

02-13-2006, 11:38 AM	#3
Tom_PM Porn Meister Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 16,443	I was born on the 13th. __________________ 43-922-863 Shut up and play your guitar.

02-13-2006, 11:39 AM	#4
StuartD Sofa King Band Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Outside the box Posts: 29,903	that explains how much luck the US dollar has been having lately. __________________ This is me on facebook This is me on twitter

02-13-2006, 11:43 AM	#6
Big Red Machine Confirmed User Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: XXXBigRed@Twitter Posts: 9,586	Alot of things that were lucky for Pagans like a black cat and the #13. Became evil when the Christians were converting them. In Ireland its a good thing for a Black Cat to cross your path. To make it easier to convert European Pagans they kept some things like the X-mas tree, X-mas is around the Winter Solitice which was a Pagan holliday __________________ ICQ:475437214

02-13-2006, 11:46 AM	#7
Evil Chris OG Industry Role: Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: 3rd from the Sun Posts: 13,239	Today is February 13th. __________________ It PAYZE to post on GFY chris at payze.com \| Skype chriswrp

02-13-2006, 11:49 AM	#8
G-Rotica Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 4,258	It's not so much the number 13 as it is Friday the 13th. It's centered around the Knights Templar. http://www.ancientquest.com/embark/templar.html __________________

02-13-2006, 11:36 AM	#2
tree Confirmed User Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 1,601	i have a 13 inch penis

02-13-2006, 12:38 PM	#10
Phoenix BACON BACON BACON Industry Role: Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Poems everybody, the laddie fancies himself a poet Posts: 35,469	13 us really just the 7th prime...so it is only the 7th number __________________ Skype Phoenixskype1 Telegram PhoenixBrad https://quantads.io

02-13-2006, 12:52 PM	#11
Kevsh Confirmed User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: TO Posts: 8,619	Ask the Olympic lugers and skiers today that wiped out badly, I'm sure they still believe

02-13-2006, 12:53 PM	#12
RayBonga too cool for highschool Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: East side, West side, Worldwide! Posts: 12,164	It was the number of people on the table with Christ before He was crucified. So it started to be considered unlucky to have 13 people at the table, then it just got out of control. At least this is the version I've heard. Last edited by RayBonga; 02-13-2006 at 12:55 PM..

02-13-2006, 12:57 PM	#13
chase Confirmed User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 6,019	I was born on Friday the 13th, May 1977. It was pretty lucky for me. ;-) __________________ Need Hosting? Reality Check Network services me purrrfectly!

02-13-2006, 01:36 PM	#15
webgurl Confirmed User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Clouds with Carebears Posts: 7,954	there are many elevators that skip the number 13 in condo/apt buildings also take away the "#1" and 3 itself is suppose to be a evil number as well bonjour chrissssss

02-13-2006, 01:52 PM	#17
chupachups Confirmed User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Sweden/Spain you sum bitch! Posts: 6,576	My birthday......... I was born today, friday the 13th of february 1976 (yes, 30 years) and yes, as far as I know (and as you might understand, I have done some research) the bad luck is because of the "last supper". Sorry, off to get some more drinks! __________________

02-13-2006, 02:25 PM	#22
bobby666 boots are my religion Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Heart of europe Posts: 21,765	because the 13th apostle always came too late to jesus' fanclub (cause he was drunken) therefore the history storied only 12 of them, even michael angelo only dared to draw 12 of them at the last last supper :-) __________________ Last edited by bobby666; 02-13-2006 at 02:28 PM..

02-13-2006, 02:29 PM	#23
xNetworx So Fucking What Industry Role: Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Whore Island Posts: 14,445	My condo is #13 and I have had decent luck since moved there, knock on wood

02-13-2006, 02:38 PM	#24
Evil Doer Confirmed User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: ICQ: 251-911-362 Posts: 915	I had the best of luck on my basketball team, I was #13... .. although I did break my arm on Friday the 13th, that wasn't so lucky __________________ see sig above mine

02-13-2006, 02:40 PM	#25
Violetta Affiliate Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 28,735	I'm 13 feet tall! __________________ M&A Queen

02-13-2006, 04:06 PM	#26
tristan_D Confirmed User Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 7,865	I heard in Japan they are more superstitious with the number 4 __________________ Increase your sales. Up to $4 per click.

02-13-2006, 05:23 PM	#27
bobby666 boots are my religion Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Heart of europe Posts: 21,765	number 4 in japan is right: psion didn't dare to release a organizer version 4 of their pdas __________________

02-13-2006, 06:03 PM	#28
WME Confirmed User Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 1,005	I get excited by Friday the 13ths. I look forward to something memorable to happen __________________ Buy Piercing Online - A very large variety of piercing, in various styles Prepare yourself for drug test!

02-13-2006, 07:04 PM	#31
PixeLs Too lazy to set a custom title Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 11,922	My girlfriend answered YES on her birthday-June 13th. __________________ Make money on any traffic. Bi-weekly payments with no hold.

02-14-2006, 02:23 AM	#36
je_rome Confirmed User Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 6,846	i never believed that... my birthday falls on the 13th. and it has been decades that the number 13 proved its worth to our family. that's our lucky number. __________________ Make money on any traffic. Join KlikRevenue.com Today!

02-14-2006, 03:13 PM	#38
BuggyG Confirmed User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Ottawa Posts: 4,179	actually.. 13 considered lucky in Italy

02-14-2006, 03:17 PM	#39
GlydeGirl Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 1,516	You are all a bunch of superstitious fools!

02-14-2006, 03:57 PM	#40
$5 submissions I help you SUCCEED Industry Role: Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: The Pearl of the Orient Seas Posts: 32,195	Although I got a chuckle about the 13" penis answer above, here's a particularly useful link re the many differing explanations why 13 is viewed as unlucky: http://www.answerbag.com/q_view.php/8316 __________________ Need a NON-ADULT income stream? We build your YOUTUBE CHANNEL for only $20 per video! For Hire: $3/hour or $400 per month Marketing Specialist Virtual Assistants

02-14-2006, 04:00 PM	#41
ArkansasDave Confirmed User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: San Diego, Ca Posts: 2,148	i ate 13 pancakes once ... __________________ -ArkansasDave! ICQ: 759-84452 CDGirls.com Do It!

02-14-2006, 07:19 PM	#43
nick1980 Confirmed User Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 1,435	Why 13 is famous as Unlucky? * Alexander wanted to be a God and accordingly made a 13th statue on the place of his capital. He died and people considered that his will to be a 13th God (12 gods, one for each month were known) was the reason of his death. After that this number was considered as unlucky. * According to historians, there were 13 people at Christ's Last Supper and Christ was crucified on Friday 13th. So, Friday 13th is considered as Unlucky. http://www.shyamsundergupta.com/unlucky13.htm __________________ Increase your sales. Up to $4 per click.