Superstitions related to numbers vary from one culture to another due to the different beliefs, traditions, and meanings attributed to these numbers in each society.
Beliefs surrounding numbers date back to Antiquity, a time when certain numbers were associated with gods or foundational myths. For example, in Ancient Egypt, the number 7 represented perfection and was linked to the creation of the world according to their myths. The Ancient Greeks revered the number 3, particularly through the divine triad of Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades, seen as a symbol of cosmic order. On the side of Asian civilizations, especially ancient China, certain numbers were considered favorable or terribly negative, directly integrated into local legends and superstitions. These historical and mythological beliefs have deeply rooted themselves in collective memory and span generations, still influencing today the cultural relationship each person has with certain numbers.
In some languages, numbers trigger superstitions simply because of their sound. In China, for example, the number 4 is avoided because it sounds almost like the word "death". Conversely, the number 8 resembles the word meaning "prosperity," so naturally, it becomes a symbol of luck and wealth. In Japan, similarly, the number 9 is avoided because its pronunciation is too similar to that of the term "suffering". In these cases, linguistic systems play a huge role in the fears or good fortune associated with certain numbers, generating a whole bunch of puns and seemingly strange attitudes when viewed from the outside.
Among Christians, the number 666 is associated with evil, evoking the Devil or the Antichrist, due to a reference in the Bible. In contrast, among Muslims, the number 786 is perceived very positively because it symbolizes an expression related to God that is used at the beginning of certain prayers. Similarly, in India or in certain Asian traditions influenced by Hinduism or Buddhism, the number 108 is considered sacred: mantras are repeated exactly 108 times to reach an ideal spiritual state. These religious meanings strongly influence the relationship each culture has with numbers, which quickly become bearers of luck, protection, or, conversely, a curse to be absolutely avoided.
Superstitions about numbers can become deeply rooted due to specific historical or symbolic events. For example, the number 13 owes its bad reputation to the biblical meal of the Last Supper, where Judas, the 13th guest, betrayed Jesus. The fear of Friday the 13th also stems from the persecution of the Templars on Friday, October 13, 1307, which remains etched in people's minds as a day of bad luck. Conversely, the number 8 is highly regarded in China, reinforced by the Beijing Olympics that began at 8:08 on August 8, 2008, affirming its lucky symbolism associated with prosperity. In the United States, the number 911, originally a reassuring emergency number, has acquired a tragic symbolism after the attacks of September 11 (9/11), demonstrating that dramatic events can permanently transform the cultural perception of a number.
Superstitions related to numbers often stem from the human need to make sense of randomness. Our brains love to find connections even when they don’t exist. This is called confirmation bias, a psychological tendency to only remember what aligns with our existing beliefs. A number brings luck once? We immediately adopt it as a lucky number. Social influences also play a role: if everyone around you believes in the power of a specific number, you will likely be tempted to believe in it too. Add to that a bit of anxiety about uncertainty, and that’s more than enough to create and perpetuate beliefs around numbers. This is also why each culture develops its own idea of which numbers will bring good or bad luck.
In Japan, the number 4 is feared because its pronunciation ('shi') is similar to the word meaning 'death.' For this reason, it is often omitted in elevators, buildings, or room numbers.
In Italy, the number 17 is often avoided because the anagram in Roman numerals 'XVII' is linked to 'VIXI', a Latin term meaning 'I have lived', implying impending death.
In China, the number 8 is considered extremely lucky because its pronunciation ('ba') is very close to the Chinese word for prosperity and wealth.
In the United States, many buildings skip the 13th floor due to a widespread superstition linking this number to misfortune, a phenomenon known as 'triskaidekaphobia.'
Yes, many numerical superstitions still persist in modern everyday life. For example, one can still easily observe the avoidance of the number 13 in certain buildings in the United States and Europe, or the commercial success of the number 8 in China due to its association with prosperity. These superstitions continue to influence our lifestyles, ranging from personal choices to marketing strategies.
No number is universally considered lucky. For example, while the number 7 is regarded as lucky in many Western countries due to ancient cultural and religious references, this is not necessarily the case elsewhere in the world. Perceptions vary according to the cultural traditions or religious beliefs specific to each society.
Religious beliefs often strongly shape numerical superstitions. For example, in Western Christian culture, the number 666 is seen as evil due to its biblical association with 'the number of the beast.' Conversely, in Islam, the number 786 is sometimes used positively, as a symbol associated with a sacred phrase. Each religion thus brings its own specific numerical symbolism.
Some hotels intentionally avoid using certain floor numbers, such as 13 in the West or 4 in Asia, in response to cultural superstitions associated with these numbers. This measure also helps to respect cultural sensitivities, enhance the psychological comfort of guests, and avoid any negative impressions or irrational fears.
In several Asian cultures, particularly Chinese and Japanese, the pronunciation of the number 4 closely resembles the word for 'death.' This phonetic similarity explains why this number is avoided in certain contexts, such as in the numbering of floors in buildings or hospital rooms.
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