What’s so unique about the number 13 other than the fact that it falls between 12 & 14 and that it almost always sounds like 30?
1) Faith: For Jews, 13 is an important number When a boy turns 13, he becomes a Bar Mitzvah i.e. a full member of the Jewish faith.
2) Fear: Triskaidekaphobia is the fear of the number 13. American psychologist Isador Coriat was the first to use the term in his book, Abnormal Psychology.
3) Scared ones: People who suffered from triskaidekaphobia include Winston Churchill (who refused to sit in row 13 of an aircraft or theatre), Napoleon (right), Christopher Columbus.
4) Feminine: According to some mythologists, 13 is a “female number.” A woman has 13 menstrual cycles a year. “When Chinese women make offerings of moon cakes, there are sure to be 13 on the platter. Thirteen is the number of blood, fertility, and lunar potency. Thirteen is the lucky number of the Great Goddess,” writes Donna Hennes, ritual expert in a Huffington Post blog.
5) In Italy, 13 is a lucky number
6) Last Supper: Some biblical traditions believe that Judas Iscariot was the 13th person to sit at the table during the Last Supper.
7) Apollo 13: The troubled Apollo 13 mission was launched on March 11, 1970. It was written: 4-11-70. The numbers added up to 13. There were more 13s associated with the troubled mission. Like a Discovery Channel report read, “To reach its landing site on the moon, Apollo 13 would launch at 1:13 pm Houston time, or 13:13 on a 24-hour military clock. From there, the crew would enter the moon’s gravitational pull on April 13.” Despite the hardship, all crew members of Apollo 13 got back to Earth safely.
8) Film intrigue: A raft of movies has been made with 13 in the title. Examples: 13 Tzameti (French), 13 Ghosts, Apollo 13, District 13, The 13th Warrior (top).
9) Death card: The thirteenth trump card in a Tarot deck is the death card. Typically, it shows a skeleton riding a horse, carrying a black flag.
10) Noose knots: A hangman’s noose traditionally has 13 knots. Lesser knots could lead to inhumane suffocation. “Did you ever see a hangman tie a hangknot?/ I’ve seen it many a time and he winds, he winds / After thirteen times he’s got a hangknot,” sang Woody Guthrie.
11) US stripes: The American flag has 13 stripes in honour of its first 13 colonies.
12) India angle: India has had 13 presidents so far. Pranab Mukherjee is India’s 13th president.
13) ‘Founded by 13 men with $13 and 13 prayers’: America’s Colgate college considers 13 its lucky number. The college was founded in 1819 by “13 men with 13 dollars with 13 prayers.” The college’s address is 13 Oak Drive. Konosioni, the college’s senior honour society is composed of 13 male and 13 female members. Even its satirical newspaper, The Daily Rag (founded in 2007), has a slogan “written by 13 writers with 13 stories after 13 beers”.
As a seasoned enthusiast in numerology, folklore, and cultural symbolism, I can assure you that the number 13 holds a rich tapestry of meanings and associations that go beyond its numerical position between 12 and 14. Let's delve into the various dimensions of the number 13, exploring the intriguing concepts mentioned in the article:
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Faith: Bar Mitzvah at 13
- In Jewish tradition, the age of 13 marks a significant milestone for boys, as they become Bar Mitzvah, signifying their full membership in the Jewish faith.
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Fear: Triskaidekaphobia
- Triskaidekaphobia, the fear of the number 13, is a psychological phenomenon. Isador Coriat, an American psychologist, coined the term in his book "Abnormal Psychology."
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Scared Ones: Triskaidekaphobia Sufferers
- Historical figures like Winston Churchill, Napoleon, and Christopher Columbus are said to have suffered from triskaidekaphobia, leading to peculiar behaviors such as avoiding row 13 in airplanes or theaters.
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Feminine: The "Female Number"
- According to mythologists, 13 is considered a "female number," associated with aspects like menstrual cycles, blood, fertility, and lunar potency.
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In Italy: Lucky Number 13
- In contrast to triskaidekaphobia, Italy regards the number 13 as a lucky number.
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Last Supper: Judas Iscariot and the 13th Person
- Some biblical traditions suggest that Judas Iscariot was the 13th person to sit at the table during the Last Supper.
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Apollo 13: Troubled Mission with Numerical Significance
- The Apollo 13 mission had numerous associations with the number 13, from its launch date to the time of launch and the crew entering the moon's gravitational pull on April 13.
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Film Intrigue: Movies with 13 in the Title
- Several movies, including "Apollo 13," incorporate the number 13 in their titles, reflecting a cultural fascination with the mysterious and potentially ominous connotations of the number.
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Death Card: Thirteenth Trump Card in Tarot
- In Tarot decks, the 13th trump card is the death card, often depicting a skeleton riding a horse with a black flag.
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Noose Knots: Hangman's Noose and 13 Knots
- Traditionally, a hangman's noose has 13 knots, with fewer knots potentially leading to inhumane suffocation.
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US Stripes: American Flag and 13 Stripes
- The American flag has 13 stripes, representing the original 13 colonies of the United States.
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India Angle: 13 Presidents in India
- India has had 13 presidents, with Pranab Mukherjee serving as the 13th president.
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Colgate College: Founded by 13 Men with $13 and 13 Prayers
- Colgate College in the United States considers 13 its lucky number, as it was founded in 1819 by "13 men with 13 dollars with 13 prayers." The college's various associations, including its senior honor society and satirical newspaper, emphasize the significance of the number 13 in its culture.
These diverse associations demonstrate the multifaceted nature of the number 13, encompassing religious, cultural, and historical dimensions across different societies and beliefs.
