But there is probably no superstition that has as many people observing it, in one way or another, all over the world, as the one that 13 is unlucky. Many hotels don't have a 13th floor—the count goes from 12 to 14. Some hotel rooms don't have a 13. Many people would never have 13 persons at a dinner table.
Yet the strange thing is that there is no single, accepted explanation for the origin of the superstition about 13. There are many different ideas about the origin of it.
Some experts say 13 was unpopular from the time when man learned to count. By using his ten fingers and two feet as units, he came up with the number 12. But beyond that—13—was unknown and frightening to him.
Among religious circles, the 13 superstitions is traced back to the Last Supper, at which were Christ and the twelve Disciples—thirteen in all. Other people go back to the story of the Valhalla banquet in Scandinavian mythology, to which twelve gods were invited. Loki, the spirit of Strife and Mischief, intruded, making thirteen. As a result of Balder, the favourite of the gods was killed.
Another strange thing about 13 is that his number was regarded as lucky by the ancient Chinese and Egyptians.
Why is the number 13 considered unlucky?
