The Number Thirteen
The Number Thirteen
The Egyptians were the first to develop a superstition for the number thirteen, but for them the number brought good luck. They believed that there were twelve steps on the ladder to eternal life and knowledge and to take the thirteenth step meant going through death into everlasting life. Thirteen, for the Egyptians, was associated with immortality.
It was in Roman times that the number thirteen became associated with ill omens, particularly those bringing death and destruction.
For Christians, the number thirteen also brought bad luck. The superstition stems from the Last Supper where Judas Iscariot became the thirteenth guest to sit at the table and would later betray Jesus, leading to his crucifixion. Still to this day it is considered very bad luck for thirteen people to sit down for dinner together. It is believed that one of the dinner guests will die within the year.
Norse mythology also has a superstition surrounding thirteen at a dinner table and the bad luck that ensues. In fact, it is believed that the Christian story of the Last Supper may find its origin in this particular myth. Apparently twelve deities sat down for a meal at a gods' feast only to have Loki, the god of mischief and disorder, come along and crash the party. He rose the number to thirteen, causing one of the gods to die during the meal.
The number was adopted by witches for their covens, which always number thirteen.
Still, to this day, the superstition lives on.
Most hotel chains have no room number thirteen and many skyscrapers are without a thirteenth floor.
www.csicop.org/
The Egyptians were the first to develop a superstition for the number thirteen, but for them the number brought good luck. They believed that there were twelve steps on the ladder to eternal life and knowledge and to take the thirteenth step meant going through death into everlasting life. Thirteen, for the Egyptians, was associated with immortality.
It was in Roman times that the number thirteen became associated with ill omens, particularly those bringing death and destruction.
For Christians, the number thirteen also brought bad luck. The superstition stems from the Last Supper where Judas Iscariot became the thirteenth guest to sit at the table and would later betray Jesus, leading to his crucifixion. Still to this day it is considered very bad luck for thirteen people to sit down for dinner together. It is believed that one of the dinner guests will die within the year.
Norse mythology also has a superstition surrounding thirteen at a dinner table and the bad luck that ensues. In fact, it is believed that the Christian story of the Last Supper may find its origin in this particular myth. Apparently twelve deities sat down for a meal at a gods' feast only to have Loki, the god of mischief and disorder, come along and crash the party. He rose the number to thirteen, causing one of the gods to die during the meal.
The number was adopted by witches for their covens, which always number thirteen.
Still, to this day, the superstition lives on.
Most hotel chains have no room number thirteen and many skyscrapers are without a thirteenth floor.
www.csicop.org/
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by cacklingcat on -
Thats my berthday yay 13
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Permalink Reply by Jennifer Faith on -
Friday the 13th became associated with bad luck because that was the date (10-13-1307) when King Phillip of France had the Knights Templar destroyed for heresy. The Knights were slaughtered & their many assets seized.
I've personally always loved the number 13 as well & this has always been a good luck date for me. I also have 2 black cats! :)
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Permalink Reply by Thordis on
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Hmmm are you referring to the Flyting of Loki aka Lokasenna, because there were no Gods who died at that gathering. In fact, no one died at all and there were already at least 13 Gods present when Loki entered. In addition, he never joined the feast and his "flyting" or ritual exchange of insults, began due to being excluded. Any good copy of the Poetic Edda will contain the Lokasenna where this can be verified.
In Frith,
Thordis
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