What is so unlucky about the number 13?
Why do you think you keep hearing superstitious rumors about ‘unlucky 13’?
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Here are 13 reasons why.
1. There were 13 people present at the Last Supper.
There were 13 people in the room at the Last Supper. Last Supper refers to the last meal Jesus had with his disciples before crucifixion. One of the men, Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus Christ for thirty pieces of silver and sold him to the Romans.
2. Many believed that the Last Supper or the Crucifixion occurred on the 13th.
There are some great controversies on the Last Supper and the Crucifixion, as to which day it occurred. John, a close disciple of Jesus seem to suggest that the Last Supper occurred a day before the Passover meal (meal celebrated yearly as a tradition remembering the deliverance of Israelites from Egyptians) This leads some scholars to date the Last Supper to the 13th of Nisan (a month on the Jewish calendar), while some points the Crucifixion on the same day.
3. Biblical references to the number 13 aren’t positive.
The Jews murmured and complained 13 times against God as mentioned in the Exodus (2nd book of the Old Testament). Also, the 13th Psalm (book in the Old Testament) deals with the wickedness and corruption. Adding to that, the circumcision of Israel took place in the 13th year. These were recorded by 16th century numerologist Petrus Bungus.
4. There were 13 steps to the gallows.
Now, there’s nothing to add to that, is there? 13 steps leading to the gallows is a product of popular myth.
5. Women menstruate roughly 13 times a year.
There is always this certain kind of taboo in the society towards menstruation. Women having menstrual cycles 13 times in a year seem to add all the more ill omen to the number 13.
6. A witch’s coven has 13 members.
Coven is now considered to be any group of witches (or vampires, in some telling). A witch is not a harbinger of good charm definitely and having 13 members in a coven doesn’t better it.
7. 13 letters in person’s name isn’t all good.
Old myths points out that people with 13 letters in their names are cursed. Names like Charles Manson, Jack the Ripper, Jeffrey Dahmer, Theodore Bundy, and Albert De Salvo) are notorious murderers and they all 13 letters. To convince you a bit more, Adolf Hitler's baptismal name was Adolfus Hitler. Done!
8. Friday the 13th seems like a rough day for businesses men.
Due to the belief of this superstition, many choose not to handle business on Friday the 13th. As a result, billions of dollars are lost as claimed by an analyst. That’s a huge loss!
9. 12 is a perfect number, so why add to make it 13?
In some schools of numerology, the number 12 is considered to be the representation of perfection and completion. So adding one more to it seems to ruin the perfection and so 13 are avoided at all costs.
10. Kids officially become teenagers at the age of 13.
Teenage is the phase of life which is very crucial that ultimately decides the ‘make or break ‘of an individual. It’s a definitely a scary phase.
11. Apollo 13 is the only unsuccessful moon mission.
An oxygen tank exploded and the survival of the astronauts on board was a huge concern. But they all landed home safely in the end. Another reason to believe in unlucky 13!
12. There was a mass arrest and execution of the Knights Templar
The arrests were carried out by the order of French King Philip IV on Friday, October 13, 1307. He accused the Templars of heresy but one of the reasons was to avoid paying the money he borrowed from them.
13. Many Christians also believe that the Cain and Abel debacle took place on that date.
Remember the first murder recorded in the Bible? It’s recorded in Genesis, the first book of The Bible
Post Written by - Adap Immanuel Teron
Here are 13 reasons why.
1. There were 13 people present at the Last Supper.
There were 13 people in the room at the Last Supper. Last Supper refers to the last meal Jesus had with his disciples before crucifixion. One of the men, Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus Christ for thirty pieces of silver and sold him to the Romans.
2. Many believed that the Last Supper or the Crucifixion occurred on the 13th.
There are some great controversies on the Last Supper and the Crucifixion, as to which day it occurred. John, a close disciple of Jesus seem to suggest that the Last Supper occurred a day before the Passover meal (meal celebrated yearly as a tradition remembering the deliverance of Israelites from Egyptians) This leads some scholars to date the Last Supper to the 13th of Nisan (a month on the Jewish calendar), while some points the Crucifixion on the same day.
3. Biblical references to the number 13 aren’t positive.
The Jews murmured and complained 13 times against God as mentioned in the Exodus (2nd book of the Old Testament). Also, the 13th Psalm (book in the Old Testament) deals with the wickedness and corruption. Adding to that, the circumcision of Israel took place in the 13th year. These were recorded by 16th century numerologist Petrus Bungus.
4. There were 13 steps to the gallows.
Now, there’s nothing to add to that, is there? 13 steps leading to the gallows is a product of popular myth.
5. Women menstruate roughly 13 times a year.
There is always this certain kind of taboo in the society towards menstruation. Women having menstrual cycles 13 times in a year seem to add all the more ill omen to the number 13.
6. A witch’s coven has 13 members.
Coven is now considered to be any group of witches (or vampires, in some telling). A witch is not a harbinger of good charm definitely and having 13 members in a coven doesn’t better it.
7. 13 letters in person’s name isn’t all good.
Old myths points out that people with 13 letters in their names are cursed. Names like Charles Manson, Jack the Ripper, Jeffrey Dahmer, Theodore Bundy, and Albert De Salvo) are notorious murderers and they all 13 letters. To convince you a bit more, Adolf Hitler's baptismal name was Adolfus Hitler. Done!
8. Friday the 13th seems like a rough day for businesses men.
Due to the belief of this superstition, many choose not to handle business on Friday the 13th. As a result, billions of dollars are lost as claimed by an analyst. That’s a huge loss!
9. 12 is a perfect number, so why add to make it 13?
In some schools of numerology, the number 12 is considered to be the representation of perfection and completion. So adding one more to it seems to ruin the perfection and so 13 are avoided at all costs.
10. Kids officially become teenagers at the age of 13.
Teenage is the phase of life which is very crucial that ultimately decides the ‘make or break ‘of an individual. It’s a definitely a scary phase.
11. Apollo 13 is the only unsuccessful moon mission.
An oxygen tank exploded and the survival of the astronauts on board was a huge concern. But they all landed home safely in the end. Another reason to believe in unlucky 13!
12. There was a mass arrest and execution of the Knights Templar
The arrests were carried out by the order of French King Philip IV on Friday, October 13, 1307. He accused the Templars of heresy but one of the reasons was to avoid paying the money he borrowed from them.
13. Many Christians also believe that the Cain and Abel debacle took place on that date.
Remember the first murder recorded in the Bible? It’s recorded in Genesis, the first book of The Bible
Post Written by - Adap Immanuel Teron
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