why is 13 unlucky?

Question

i mean like friday 13th etc why not number 56 for example?

Answer 1

It sounds like there are a lot of theories, but little proof:

From Wikipedia:

History of Friday the 13th
There is no reliable evidence that Friday the 13th was considered to be especially inauspicious before the late nineteenth century, though both Friday and the number thirteen were separately identified as negative[1]. Because of this, attempts to explain the superstition with reference to historical events are speculative.

One proposed origin relates to the Last Supper. Judas, the thirteenth guest, was instrumental in the Crucifixion of Jesus, which happened on a Friday.

Other theories offered in relation to Friday suggest that Eve offered the apple to Adam on a Friday or the slaying of Abel happened on a Friday (though the Bible does not identify the days of the week when these events occurred). [2]

It is also sometimes claimed that the superstition derived from the massacre of the Knights Templar on Friday October 13, 1307. King Philip IV of France ordered the destruction of the Templars, after having claimed that they were engaged in heretical practices. Philip sent letters to his forces all over the country with instructions to open that morning. The orders were simple - seek out and arrest all known members of the Knights, slaughter those that resisted, and capture Jacques DeMolay, the last known Grand Master of the Knights Templar. (See also History of the Knights Templar)

However, no evidence is known to link the superstition to any specific events or suggest that there is any continuity from the Middle Ages to the present day.

Answer 2

Unlucky No. 13

Friday the 13th is an unlucky day in much of Western Europe, North America, and Australia. Many people avoid travel and avoid signing contracts on Friday the 13th. Floors in tall buildings often skip from 12 to 14. And while the superstition is believed to be fading, it nonetheless has deep roots in both Christian and pagan culture.

Many Christians have long believed that Friday was unlucky because it was the day of the week when Jesus was crucified. The number 13 was believed to bring bad luck because there were 13 people at The Last Supper. Since there were 12 tribes of Israel, that number was considered lucky.

Thirteen was also a sinister number in Norse mythology. Loki, one of the most evil of the Norse gods, went uninvited to a party for 12 at Valhalla, a banquet hall of the gods. As a result, he caused the death of Balder, the god of light, joy, and reconciliation. Loki tricked Balder's blind brother, Hod, into throwing a sprig of mistletoe at Balder's chest. Since mistletoe was the only thing on Earth fatal to Balder, the beloved god fell dead.

During the Middle Ages, the superstition against Friday the 13th grew. Over time a large body of literature and folk wisdom have reinforced the belief. In the 18th century, the HMS Friday was launched on Friday the 13th. It was never heard from again. Since then, ships are not usually launched on that date.

It is considered especially unlucky to have 13 people at the table during a meal, such as in Agatha Christie's mystery novel, Thirteen at Dinner. During the 1880s, a men's group that felt superstition was an unhealthy influence on public life held Thirteen Club dinners. Those diners would have doubtless deplored Triskaidekaphobia, which is a fear of the number 13. They would also have looked askance at Triskaidekamania, which is an excessive enthusiasm for the number 13

Answer 3

A book I read years ago put forth the theory that 13 wasn't unlucky. It marked an item of destiny. Being the 13th person or living the 13th day of the month meant something important and the only bad luck associated with it was when you tried to go against that destiny. I don't know if I believe it but then I don't think Fri. the 13th is bad luck for me either.

Answer 4

It is a myth, supposedly started when the Knights Templar were killed on Friday the 13th. I believe in all kinds of stuff, witchcraft, ghosts, astral projection, but the number 13? I thinks that's hogwash. If you think about it there was Christ and 12 disciples. That makes 13. I wonder if that had some origins. But, the Friday the 13th was from the Knights Templar.

Answer 5

The determination thirteen is linked with undesirable success in some countries, or maybe has a mainly known phobia, Triskaidekaphobia, a be conscious which change into coined in 1911. Friday the 13th has been seen an unlucky day because the 1800s, as a blend between an unlucky day, Friday, and the determination thirteen. that is from wikipedia :) there is also a French inn which does no longer have a 13th floor because it truly is seen so unlucky. It counts up, notwithstanding it is going 10,11,12,14... etc. desire I helped. x

Answer 6

There was a superstition about the Twelve Apostles + Jesus = 13 at the table of the Last Supper. The "Friday the 13th" thing supposedly comes from the arrest date of the Knights Templar in the 14th century.

Answer 7

What makes Friday the 13th unlucky probably goes back thousands of years to pagan times. Friday was named after the Norse god and goddess Frey and Freya. For them, Friday was a holy day, the Sabbath. The 13th may have been picked because in pagan times, there were 13 months to the year. Put them together with the coming of Christianity, and you have a reason to debase the holy days of the pagans. I believe that is what happened. The same thing happened with the snake. It was a good symbol in pagan times, but was demonized in the Judeo-Christian bible in order to put down belief in the pagan religions. The result was the evil snake that convinced Eve to eat the apple in the garden of Eden.

Answer 8

The number per se I don't know, but Friday the 13th dates back to when the King of France decided to eliminate the Knights Templar (which of course was on a Friday the 13th), at least according to the history channel.

Answer 9

Actually i also wanted to know why it is concidered unlucky, in my country it doesn't mean that. If a male has a 13 tattoo it means that he is a PIMP and a women is an *****...It is also considered to be an unlucky number but if it is so bad, why is it reflected so many times on the U.S. $1 bill-- 13 levels in the pyramid, 13 stars, 13 arrows, 13 stripes, 13 leaves, and 13 olives? Is it because of the original 13 colonies????

Answer 10

ok 13 is just a superstition if u believe somethin bad is going to happen then something bad eventually does happen. Now i think its all coincidence if something bad happends on the 13. sometimes i believe it and sometimes i don't . things just happen for a reason. 13 may be the most common unlucky number to alot of ppl but some ppl may think 45 is an unlucky number.