You can encounter numerous superstitions about lucky and unlucky numbers on the internet, but it turns out some of them are so deeply related to our unconscious minds that they shock us even today. Some of these suggestions claim that certain numbers have positive connotations. Others claim that we should avoid specific numbers at all costs. Either way, it’s certain that these creepy superstitions affect our lives and the choices we make on a daily basis.
In this article, we’ll discuss some eerie superstitions around lucky and unlucky numbers that will indeed inspire horror enthusiasts.
1. The Curse of 13
If someone asks what’s the most unlucky number of all, chances are that you’ll answer that it’s 13. The reason is that the curse of the number 13 is universal and people in most cultures are more or less scared of this number. Most of the time, we associate the number 13 with religious events, like the Last Supper, where Judas, the 13th guest, betrayed Christ. But little do people know that the actual root of this superstition is related to an ancient Norse myth of the same content, which features the same ominous number.
Nevertheless, for some reason, the number 13 still appears in our daily lives. Even though many people try to avoid planning things or making decisions on the 13th day of the month, it seems like some risk-takers even enjoy doing so. This might be why sports betting platforms like DraftKings Kentucky often challenge the players to try their luck and place bets on events featuring the number 13.
2. The Fear of 4 in China
Although the number 4 is considered one of the lucky numbers in Western cultures, surprisingly, in Chinese culture, 4 is a literal synonym for “death”. In fact, the number 4 is pronounced as “sì” in Mandarin Chinese, which means “death”. Therefore, it’s not surprising that the number four is accompanied by negative superstitions in Eastern cultures, especially China.
On the other hand, in Western cultures, the number 4 is associated with luck and prosperity. One great example of the number 4 representing luck is a 4-leaf clover, or so-called “shamrock,” which is a symbol of faith, hope, love, and luck in Ireland.
3. Lucky Number 7
Unlike four, the number 7 almost never scares people with its meaning and in most cultures, it’s associated with good fortune and sometimes even with perfection. This positive meaning, again, is related to religious texts where the number 7 represents divine power and a complete world (God created the world in 7 days if you remember). Therefore, people often choose the number 7 as their wedding date or lottery number.
However, whether it’s positive or negative, it’s still a superstition and actually, the number 7 itself simply doesn’t hold any power over events. Yet, it influences many aspects of our lives.
4. 666 – The Number of the Beast
While the number 13 is the most common “unlucky” number in the world, 666 is certainly the one that terrifies us the most. Again, the meaning of this number is also related to the Bible, specifically, the Book of Revelation, where it’s described as the “number of the beast.” This one passage has become a source of numerous superstitions related to the number 666, and that’s exactly why people associate the number 666 with evil, bad luck, and unhappiness. Interestingly, there’s even a name for freaking out on the number 666 – hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia.
But surprisingly, similar to 4, the perception of this number is still completely opposite in China. In fact, Chinese people associate the number 666 with positive things because of its pronunciation, which means either “smooth” or “flowing.”
5. Eerie 17
Despite the fact that both numbers 1 and 7 are loaded with positive connotations in Western countries, the number 17 is accompanied by creepy superstitions. This is particularly true in Italy, where people even have a specific word for describing the fear of the number 17 – “heptadecaphobia.” The reason why Italians are afraid of the number 17 is that when you spell it in Roman, it’s XVII. And if you rearrange it, it would become VIXI, which means “I have lived” in Latin. Of course, this is related to death and the end of life.
Bottom Line
As you can see, there are plenty of superstitions around numbers that determine the choices people make all around the world. Believe it or not, because of these superstitions, some people even develop “number obsessions” and go to great lengths to avoid certain numbers. At first glance, these connotations might seem irrational to you, but maybe they do have cultural and psychological power. Or at least, that’s what most people believe when it comes to number superstitions.
Copyright Statement: Unless explicitly stated, all stories published on Creepypasta.com are the property of (and under copyright to) their respective authors, and may not be narrated or performed under any circumstance.