Is 13 an Unlucky Number?

Friday the 13th is rooted in western superstition since the late 19th century. Most believe that the origin of this myth has Biblical origins where Jesus was crucified on a Friday and there were 13 guests at the Last Supper the night before his crucifixion. 

On the other hand, the French King gave the last orders to arrest hundreds of Knights Templar. Guess what day was it? Yep, on Friday the 13th, 1307.

The Fear has a name

Believe it or not, there’s a Greek name for those who fear of Friday the 13th! Paraskevidekatriaphobia (I dare you to read it aloud 10 times). Where paraskevi and dekatris mean Friday and thirteen respectively. However, the fear for the number 13 has its own term: triskaidekaphobia. 

The most famous person has paraskevidekatriaphobia is former US President Franklin D. Roosevelt. He refused to travel on any Friday the 13th.

The “Eastern” version

There is a similar version in Chinese culture too. Just that they have an entire month to be fear of. The Hungry Ghost month falls on the seventh month of Chinese lunar calendar. People are advice to not travel at night, travel far from home, or go to mountain/forests.

As for the number, Chinese believes 4 is the unfortunate number as it sounds similar to ‘death’. The house address should not contain number 4. It’s a big no no if the car plate is ‘9413’. That’s the most unfortunate number combination. In Cantonese, it means nine deaths, only one alive. How creepy is that?

The Malaysian Belief

Malaysia as a melting pot of culture, we believe in both (selectively). In fact, you can tell from the elevator buttons in tall buildings. Depending on the constructor's belief, the number 4th and/or number 13th floor will be avoided and commonly skipped or replaced with 3A or 12A.

Is it the fear of Friday the 13th which caused extra attention on the unfortunate or the law of attraction did? Well, at least in Malaysia, it’s yet another day. :)

Below showed the 13 horrible events happened on Friday the 13th throughout the history.