13
The most feared number in all of humanity. Why? What is it about this number that strikes such intense fear across all of mankind? Much research has been devoted to answering this age old question. From the Vikings, to the disciples, to the Knights Templar, to the lunar calendar, there are many theories of the origin of triskaidekaphobia, the fear of the number 13.
background
The word triskaidekaphobia comes from the greek words "tris" meaning 'three', "kai" meaning 'and', "deka" meaning 'ten', and "phobia" meaning 'fear'.
possible origins of this worldwide fear:
* The counting method of ancient man is one possible source of the fear, in that man counted on ten fingers and two feet (presumably covered in an article of clothing, like shoes). Anything beyond that countable dozen was 'unknown' and therefore suspect. In english, we have distinct names for the numbers one through twelve.
* Then there is the Norse myth about 12 gods having a dinner party at Valhalla, their heaven. In walked uninvited 13th guest, the mischievous Loki. Once there, Loki arranged for Hoder, the blind god of darkness to shoot Balder the Beautiful, the god of joy and gladness, with a mistletoe-tipped arrow, killing him (mistletoe was the only thing on Earth fatal to Balder).
* Perhaps it came from the last supper, a meal for which 13 people sat at the table. Judas, the disciple who betrayed Jesus, was the 13th to sit at the table.
* Some also say that the arrest of Jaques de Molay, Grand Master of the Knights Templar, and 60 of his senior knights on Friday, October 13, 1307 by King Philip IV of France is the origin of this superstition. That day thousands of Templars were arrested and subsequently tortured. They then 'confessed' and were executed.
* It may date back to Pagan times when there were 13 members to a coven in relation to the 13 full moons of the lunar year. When Christianity took over all the Pagan festivals and traditions were considered evil. The lunar calendar is replaced by the solar calendar.
* The number 13 suffers because of its position after 12. Numerologists consider 12 a "complete" number. There are 12 months in a year, 12 signs of the zodiac, 12 gods of Olympus, 12 labors of Hercules, 12 tribes of Israel, and 12 apostles of Jesus. In exceeding 12 by 1, 13's association with bad luck has to do with just being a little beyond completeness. The number becomes restless or squirmy.
occurrences and examples of the 13 fear in action
* Many tall buildings have no floor numbered as '13'.
* On some passenger aircraft there is no seating row numbered '13'.
* In Formula One and other racing categories, no vehicle carries the number '13'.
* Hospitals and hotels routinely have no room '13'.
* Airports may not have a terminal '13', instead there is a terminal 12b.
* Some cities skip 13th Avenue and 13th Street.
* It is not uncommon in Europe for the house between number 12 and 14 to be addressed as 12 and a half.
* Microsoft will be skipping the name Office 13. Office 12 (a.k.a Microsoft Office 2007) will be followed by the next release whose working title is Microsoft Office 14.
* In Tarot decks, the 13th card of the Major Arcana is Death.
* The Apollo 13 spacecraft lifted off at 1313 hrs and malfunctioned on April 13th, forcing it to return to Earth without a landing on the moon and imperiling its crew.
* There are traditionally thirteen steps leading up to a gallows.
* There is a superstition that should thirteen sit at a table to dine, one will die in the next year.
* The British ship HMS Friday was launched on a Friday, the 13th, the captain was a man named Jim Friday. The ship was never seen nor heard from again.
conclusion
I have done my own extensive research on this subject and have come to the conclusion that these previous researchers did not have children because the root cause of this fear of the number 13 is from when a preteen child becomes a teenager, at age 13. Join us in wishing tony's girl happy 13th birthday, this March 2008.