No 13
If we try to find the number which is most feared across world, hands down it would be – 13. This number is often associated with negativity and seen as Inauspicious.
Current Phobia of number 13
Some historians say the fear of 13 number started from 17th century but only in 20th cenetury it became so strong. Many people do not want to guy or stay in 13th floor or 13th number room/flat, that’s reason many states in US, do not have rooms with 13 number in hotels and at times real state skip the 13th floor and room no, so directly go to 14th after 12 or 13 is written as !2A. In Europe, Friday falling on the 13th is often consider as inauspicious while the same number falling on Tuesday is inauspicious in Greece. China even proposed to ban the registration number 13 for vehicles while airlines world over do not have a seat numbered 13. In India, their main Stock Exchange BSE doesn’t even have a 13th floor. Formula One didn’t allow to use or used no 13 from 1977 to 2013.
Reason of such fear
Even Psychology has given this fear a name – Triskaidekaphobia, given in 1911. One may call it a superstition as many, but then why is it across the world for so long? Lets understand why such fear existed, because it has mostly gone as a pandemic and most don’t knw the reason but couldn’t stay untouched by this fear.
- Probably the biggest and most influencing reason was that there were 13 people present on the Jesus Christ’s last supper, the reason of Jesus’s death was the betrayal of apostle Judas Iscariot who was 13th to sit on the table. Also total number of people around table was 13, Jesus and 12 apostles. Also, 13th of Nisan (a month on the Jewish calendar) is believed by many scholars as the last supper day while others believe that the crucifixion itself was on the 13th of Nisan.
- On the Friday 13th, 1307. the King Philip the IV of France ordered the arrest of the knights Templar, most of them were tortured and killed.
- The end of the Mayan calendar’s 13th Baktun was superstitiously feared as a harbinger of the apocalyptic 2012 phenomenon.
- A year with 13 full moons instead of 12 posed problems for the monks in charge of the calendars. “This was considered a very unfortunate circumstance, especially by the monks who had charge of the calendar of thirteen months for that year, and it upset the regular arrangement of church festivals. For this reason, thirteen came to be considered an unlucky number.
- There is a myth that the earliest reference to thirteen being unlucky or evil is in the Babylonian Code of Hammurabi (circa 1780 BC), where the thirteenth law is said to be omitted.
- One probability also could be the strong and biased patriarchy culture. There are 13 lunar cycles and women believe to menstruate 13 times in a year. Again some feminist also believed that female were oppressed due to having this 13 number.
- In a tarot card deck, XIII is the card of Death.
- There were some instance also – Apollo 13 was a space mission that was supposed to land on the moon. On April 13, 1970 there was an explosion that halted the mission and they had to return back to Earth. In England, a 13 year old boy was struck by lightening at 13:13 on 13th Friday, but he recovered.
- Many consider 13 itself isn’t seen bad, but 12 is a perfect number as we have 12 months, day & night is of 12 hrs average, and 13 coming after a perfect 12 number is seen as unpleasant.
- Media also has contributed to this fear. For example – “Friday the 13th” movie on killings, a novel on 1907 by British stockbroker Thomas Lawson “Friday the 13th” about a about a rogue businessman’s attempt to crash the stock market.
Yet surprisingly, there are instances of 13 being considered good. If you’re not aware, I give you small examples as good to know.
- Till 1st World-war, France considered 13 as a lucky number and was used in numerical form as a good luck symbol on postcards and charms.
- In Sikh, 13 is called Tera means ‘yours’ in Gurumukhi. They used to celebrate Vaisakhi, connected with creation of Khalsa or pure Sikh, on 13th April for many years. There is a good incident also relation to 13 number with Guru Nanak Devji.
- In Judaism, 13 signifies the age at which a boy matures and becomes a Bar Mitzvah, i.e., a full member of the Jewish faith (counts as a member of Minyan). The number of principles of Jewish faith according to Maimonides. According to Rabbinic commentary on the Torah, God has 13 Attributes of Mercy.
- Colgate University also considers 13 a lucky number. They were founded in 1819 by 13 men with 13 dollars, 13 prayers and 13 articles.
- According to Hindu belief, the 13th of any month is considered very important according to Hinduism. According to the Hindu calendar, the 13th day is Trayodashi, which is the day of Lord Shiva. People observe Pradosh-Vrat in honor of Lord Shiva which falls on the 13th day of the month, fast on this day blesses with money, children, happiness, and prosperity.
Really!! a number can be such powerful. OK! all numbers have own energy and capability but then coin has 2 sides, how can it be one sided only positive or only negative, that would shake the balance. I will try to show number 13 from different lenses and try to figure out the truth behind it.
Truth of 13 number
One unique things about 13 coming from mathematics is, 13 is the smallest Emirp, means its a prime number whose reverse digits also produce prime numbers. The well known Prime Minister of India Mr Atal Bihari Vajpaee was a very popular figure and 13 is very much attached to him, for example – Vajpayeeji chose his swearing-in on the 13th, then his government lasted 13 months, but again Vajpayeeji was the Prime Minister of the 13th Lok Sabha, with the support of 13 parties, took oath on the 13th but then his first Prime ministership lasted only only 13 days.
Tarot – 13th card in major arcana is ‘Death’ card. but this needs to be understood well before being feared. This death symbolizes the death of old, and beginning of new, so its seen as transformation and rebirth.
Numerology – number 13 is a compound number in numerology which produces 4 when digits are added. So impact of 13 would consist of 1, 3 and 4 where 4 would influence nearly 60%. So the unique character formed is – ambition and self sufficiency of 1 with dynamism and expressiveness of 3 and mindfulness of 4, in short. It include also self-determination, methodology (deciding how to do something and sticking to it), and creative inspiration. So it knows what it wants and have high focus and energy for that but still surprises would come. This is also seen the persistence of 13 is very powerful with intense energy, whether used positively or negative which is again a question of how to use this energy. So its crucial that the 13 person stay away from negativity. 13th is a realist yet worry far too much and often have early struggles. It expresses itself creatively to encourage acceptance or understanding of its goals, but pursues the goals in a pragmatic manner. 13 people are very vulnerable and can be touchy and quick to be offended, but they usually relax whey they are sure of your friendship, love and support. Angered 13 is a force to be reckoned with as they have guts and do defend themselves well, but they should be careful with their words, being positive and patient would help 13 a lot and that’s why its connected with new beginning which requires creativity, patience, high energy and what is better than 13 !
In Occult, 13 is a karmic number. If the power of this number is used for selfish reasons, this number can bring disaster and destruction to the person who misused its power, causing this person illness and disease. This number is a message of being supported by the Divine feminine energy.
Hope it has been of help.
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Dr Sant
