What is the word for fear of thenumber 13? Triskaidekaphobia

There is no Gate B13 at O'Hare Airport Terminal in Chicago, Illinois. Travelers who experience triskaidekaphobia, or fear of

the number 13, may be relieved! Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

Numbers can mean more than just math homework or dollars and cents — much more.

One number in particular has long been the cause of unease for millions of people: 13. And

there is even a word for their unease: triskaidekapho bia.

How about you? Does the number 13 give you the creeps? If so, you're not alone. Because of

this reaction, many hotels and hospitals have no room 13. About 8 out of 10 buildings have no

13th floor. Furthermore, for travelers, row number 13 is not an option on some airlines — it has

been left off the seating charts.

By Albert Garcia, Calliope Magazine, adapted by Newsela staff on 10.12.17

Word Count 831

Level MAX

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. 1

Silly Superstition

Speaking of seating, for many years it was believed that if 13 people sat at a table one of them

would die within the year. Then, of course, there is Friday the 13th, the most feared day of all.

It occurs at least once a year. In 2017, two Friday the 13ths haunt the calendar. There will be

two in 2018, as well. Many people refuse to conduct business, get married, fly on an airplane

or even go to work on this loathsome day, costing an estimated $800 to $900 million in losses

every year.

But does this actually prove 13 is unlucky? Or did the number somehow just get a bad

reputation?

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Fears and phobias such as those mentioned here are called superstitions. They make

believers cringe and leave nonbelievers with the question, "Why do people believe them?"

Superstitions are beliefs in the magical effects — good or bad — that particular actions,

rituals, or associations have on the natural world. Knocking on wood or making a wish while

tossing a coin into a well for good luck are also common superstitions.

Although superstitions have no real scientific basis, triskaidekaphobia is very real for about 9

percent of Americans. Meanwhile, fear of Friday the 13th, or paraskevidekatriaphobia, the

most common superstition of all, affects an estimated (and coincidental) 13 percent of all

Americans.

With so many afraid of 13, there must be a reason, right?

Confirmation Bias

Well, yes and no. Psychologists have long known about "confirmation bias." In other words, if

you think something bad will happen on Friday the 13th, then you will be more likely to find the

bad while ignoring the good that may happen that day. Likewise, if you believe 13 is unlucky,

you will notice it whenever it pops up in a worrisome way, ignoring all the other numbers that

may be around at the same time.

For example, triskaidekaphobes like to point out the fate of the 1970 Apollo 13 lunar mission,

blaming its near-disastrous outcome on its number and the time it launched, 13:13 CST. But

all three men on board made it home safely despite extremely difficult circumstances. On the

other hand, the preceding mission, Apollo 12, caught fire while on the launch pad, killing all

three men inside. That seems much more unlucky and tragic than Apollo 13, doesn't it?

There are several theories as to why we have superstitions. All are based on our inner need to

explain what we don't understand. Humans like to look for ways to help us feel like we have

control over fate and circumstance. No one likes bad luck, but thinking we can at least predict

or avoid it makes us feel a little more comfortable.

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Fears of 13 are thought to have been around for a very long time. Some think it began in

ancient Babylon; others believe the superstition has its roots in Christianity or the Viking

religion. Still others trace its origin to before civilization began, to our early ancestors who

tracked the 13 lunar months.

The truth is, 13 has meant different things to different cultures throughout history — fear,

praise and indifference. The ancient Egyptians believed it was lucky. In China, 13 is

considered good fortune, as it is in Italy, parts of India and in the Jewish Torah. And even

though measures have been taken to remove the 13th floors, rooms and airline rows, in reality

they are still there. They have just been given another number to trick fate. (As if fate could not

see through their ploy!)

20th Century Invention

Yet, despite beliefs that triskaidekaphobia began long ago and has been passed down

through the centuries, the earliest known reference to Friday the 13th as a dreaded day did

not appear until 1913. It is merely a 20th century invention.

Lets face it: Bad things can happen any day. But if they happen on Friday the 13th and you

believe its unlucky, then those are the days you are sure to remember.

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Quiz

1 Which sentence from the article BEST supports the article's central idea?

(A) Knocking on wood or making a wish while tossing a coin into a well for good

luck are also common superstitions.

(B) Some think it began in ancient Babylon; others believe the superstition has its

roots in Christianity or the Viking religion.

(C) And even though measures have been taken to remove the 13th floors, rooms

and airline rows, in reality they are still there.

(D) But if they happen on Friday the 13th and you believe it’s unlucky, then those

are the days you are sure to remember.

2 Which sentence from the article would be most important to include in a summary of the article?

(A) Furthermore, for travelers, row number 13 is not an option on some airlines — it

has been left off the seating charts.

(B) Speaking of seating, for many years it was believed that if 13 people sat at a

table one of them would die within the year.

(C) Superstitions are beliefs in the magical effects — good or bad — that particular

actions, rituals or associations have on the natural world.

(D) In China, 13 is considered good fortune, as it is in Italy, parts of India and in the

Jewish Torah.

3 What is the author's MAIN purpose in including information about the Apollo 13 flight?

(A) to provide a counterargument to a belief people have about the number 13

(B) to give an example of how the number 13 is responsible for a bad accident

(C) to describe an instance where the number 13 gave three men a bit of luck

(D) to show why people do not get on flights with row 13 on their seating charts

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. 5

4 The author wrote this article mostly to explain why people should not fear the number 13 or Friday

the 13th.

What did the author do to illustrate this point in the article?

(A) The author proves that only silly and crazy people believe that superstitions are

real.

(B) The author used expert opinions from psychologists to show where the fear

comes from.

(C) The author provided examples of different countries that prove that 13 is a lucky

number.

(D) The author describes many instances where the number 13 has actually been

helpful to people.

This article is available at 5 reading levels at https://newsela.com. 6