13 things you probably didn't know about the number 13
It's not always unlucky!
Friday the 13th - For those who are superstitious you will probably be extra cautious about where you walk, avoiding black cats and ladders, but for others it will be just like any other day. Should we be suspicious of the day? Well, a lot of 'unlucky' things have happened on Friday 13th, including Hurricane Charley, which caused $8 billion worth of destruction in 2004, a 13-year-old boy was struck by lightning at 13.13 on Friday 13th, and a deadly virus made some computers crash in Britain in 1989.
Here are 13 things you probably didn't know about the number 13:
1) Triskaidekaphobia
Triskaidekaphobia is the fear of the the number 13.
2) Paraskevidekatriaphobia
Paraskevidekatriaphobia is the fear of Friday the 13th.
3) Millions of people are scare of Friday 13th
It's estimated that 17 - 21 million people in the United States are affected by the fear of Friday the 13th and cannot go about their daily duties.
4) Finnish National Accident Day
In Finland they have a National Accident Day which always occurs on Friday the 13th.
5) No number 13 in planes
Many airlines remove a row 13 from their planes to avoid making passengers nervous.
6) No 13th floor
Similarly many tall buildings also 'remove' the 13th floor, jumping straight from 12 to 14.
7) The Last Supper
There were 13 people at Jesus' Last Supper which was held on Good Friday, one reason why it might have become an 'unlucky' day.
8) 'Unlucky' number plates
In Ireland, in 2013, in order to avoid having 'unlucky' number plates instead of just using two digits 131 and 132 were used.
9) 13 is lucky in Italy
13 isn't always an unlucky number. In Italy it is a lucky number and in Venezuela many sportspeople have chosen number 13 as their squad number, including Dave Concepción, Omar Vizquel, Oswaldo Guillén and Pastor Maldonado.
10) Friday 13th wedding
Getting married on Friday 13th could save you A LOT of money as many couples stay away from that date.
11) A baker's dozen
A baker's dozen contains 13 items. There are many theories behind this, but one common thought is that it was to avoid a beating in Medieval times.
Bakers who were found to be cheating their customers would be subject to punishment.
12) The Death Tarot card
The Death Tarot card is number 13.
13) Number 13 is a 'happy' number
The number 13 is a happy number according to mathematicians. We'd give you a definition, but it's quite complicated!
Stay safe this Friday 13th!
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