The triscaidecaphobia and the superstition on number 13 They are two phenomena that have left their mark on popular culture, especially when talking about architecture and design of buildings. If you have ever noticed that in certain places such as hotels, offices or even in some airplanes, there seems to be no 13th floor, a row 13 or a number 13 in the elevatorsyou probably wondered why. The reason behind this omission is a set of Irrational beliefs and fears that surround this number.
The triscaidecaphobia It is the irrational fear of number 13, which is so powerful in some cultures that even affects the way buildings are built, organize the seats in the airplanes and even how properties sales are raised. This fear has deep roots in various cultural and religious traditionsbut its influence has spread throughout the world, although in some countries, such as Italynumber 13 has a positive connotation. And you, would you dare to live on a 13th floor? Or do you think that fear of number 13 can influence your decision?
Why is the 13th floor missing in the elevators?
The fear of number 13 has complex and diverse origins. In many cultures, the number 12 is considered a complete and harmonious number, such as 12 months of the year, 12 hours of the clock or the 12 signs of the zodiac. In contrast, the 13 is seen as a number that “breaks” that perfection, causing imbalance and chaos. This perception has been fed for centuries of superstitions. For example, in Nordic mythology, it is said that Loki, the god of chaos, was the thirteenth God to reach a dinner in Valhalla, which resulted in the murder of Baldur, the god of light, so he associated with number 13 with bad luck.
Another theory linked to triscaidecaphobia comes from Christian religion. At the Last Supper, one of the most significant events of Christianity, 13 people sat at the table, including Judas, who betrayed Jesus. This relationship between number 13 and betrayal has penetrated in the minds of many people, and is one of the reasons why this number is considered bad luck in several cultures.
One of the most obvious manifestations of triscaidecaphobia is omission of the 13th floor in buildingsespecially in elevators. In many skyscrapers and high -rise buildings, if you observe the elevator buttons panel, you will see that instead of number 13 appears on 14, even if in logical terms the building really has a 13th floor. This practice is not only for superstition, but also for commercial reasons. People with triscaidecaphobia can feel uncomfortable or nervous to be on a 13th floor, which could deter them from renting or buying properties in these buildings.
In some cases, when the number 13 cannot be eliminated so simple, the buildings opt for creative solutions, renowing the 13th floor as «12a» or «12b» To avoid the negative connotation of number 13, while in other cases, number 13 is replaced by letters such as “m”, which is the thirteenth letter of the alphabet. These modifications may seem like a good solution, but they are indicative of how superstitions can influence marketing design and decisions.
Numbers of bad luck around the world
In some Asian cultures, especially in Chinanumber 4 is considered bad luck. This belief comes from the phonetic similarity between the word “four” and the word “death” in Mandarin Chinese. As a result, many buildings in Asian countries omit the fourth floor and replace the number with the 3rd or 5 to avoid any association with death. In some cases, cars or house numbers also omit the number 4. In addition, the Chinese believe that the numbers containing 4, such as 14 or 24, can bring bad luck.
In Indianumber 8 also has a negative connotation. The superstition around number 8 derives from its association with Saturn, a planet that in Hindu astrology is linked to evil karma, difficulties and hardship. It is believed that people born under the sign of Saturn or on a day associated with number 8 will have difficult and obstacle lives. Due to this belief, it is common for people to avoid this number.
For its part, number 7 is seen differently in many parts of the world. In some cultures, such as the western one, 7 is considered a good luck number. Belief can be attributed to various historical and religious sources, such as Seven days of creation in the Bible or the famous phrase “all good things come in seven.” In this way, numbers that cause fear in cultures, can be fortune symbols in others, reflecting the diversity of beliefs and superstitions around the world.
