Which of these numbers do you think are lucky: four, seven, eight or thirteen? In many cultures around the world, people believe that some numbers are luckier than others.
In most western cultures, many people consider the number thirteen to be unlucky. In the United States, for example, many cities do not have a thirteenth street; many buildings do not have a thirteenth floor. There are also those who believe that Friday the 13th is an unlucky day—one on which many things can go wrong.
The exact origin of superstitions about Friday the 13th is unknown. However, superstitious fears about this date have grown and spread over the years, thanks, in part, to unfortunate events. In the eighteenth century, a ship—the HMS Friday—which launched on a Friday the 13th, disappeared at sea. In 1945, people watched in disbelief on a Friday the 13th when the first atom bomb was tested. On a Friday the 13th in 1992, an earthquake in Turkey killed thousands of people.
It is surprising, though, that the number thirteen is considered unlucky in the United States. The country was originally divided into thirteen states. On the dollar bill there is a picture of an incomplete pyramid with thirteen steps. The bald eagle carries an olive branch in one of its claws with thirteen leaves and thirteen berries on it. In the other claw it is holding thirteen arrows, and above its head there are thirteen stars.
In different cultures, other numbers are believed to be unlucky. In Japan, Korea, and China, for example, people consider the number four to be unlucky because the pronunciation of the word ‘four’ is very similar to the pronunciation of the word that means ‘death.’ Many hotels in these countries do not have fourth floors. Also, people do not give gifts in multiples of four.
There are some numbers that are thought to bring good luck. In many western cultures, people believe that seven is a lucky number, while many Chinese people believe that the luckiest number is eight. Many people also believe significant dates in their lives—such as birthdays, and anniversaries—are lucky. People who regularly play the lottery will often use these numbers in the hope that they will win.