by JRR

Created on: October 12, 2009   Last Updated: October 14, 2009

Throughout history, superstitions have been a part of many cultures to one degree or another. These beliefs can include everything from animals to the moon. Two major influences though, are dates and numbers.

Many people consider certain dates to be good luck, especially their birthday or anniversary. They will often use them when choosing lottery numbers or other important numbers. The use of children's birthdays is also very popular. When possible, brides and grooms choose dates with like digits for their wedding day. Dates such as September 9, 1999 (9/9/99) or June 6, 2006 (6/6/06) are unique. This makes them popular and considered good luck.

Numbers also play a major role in superstitions. Both the digits themselves and whether they are odd or even can make a difference. Some believe turning a cigarette upside down in a pack is lucky, while others refuse to enter and ride an elevator if they make an odd number of passengers for fear of bad luck. Then there are those who will pump their gas to an even dollar amount for good luck, yet many Jews think even numbers are unlucky because of the 12 apostles and 666 referring to the anti-Christ.

Chinese and Japanese cultures have a strong belief in superstitions involving numbers. They are considered lucky or unlucky depending on other words they sound like when pronounced.

Three (san) is pronounced like birth (sheng) and is considered lucky. Many have a great fear of the number four (si). When pronounced it sounds very much like death (shi). Numerous Chinese and Japanese buildings have no floors that include this number. Six (liu) is thought to be good for business since it is said like the word meaning sleek (liu). Seven (qi) means togetherness and felt to be lucky for relationships. Eight (ba) is considered extremely lucky. When pronounced it sounds like the words meaning wealth (fa).

Many citizens are willing to pay large amounts of money for phone numbers, addresses, license numbers and other things which contain the number eight. The strongest support of their belief in this number is the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics which began at exactly eight minutes, eight seconds past eight in the evening on August 8, 2008 (8:08:08 on 8/8/08

In many cultures seven and thirteen hold a great significance. Depending on the person, seven can be considered either lucky or unlucky. Some ancient people felt that the seventh son of the seventh son would have supernatural powers. They also believed the seventh daughter of the seventh daughter would be able to foretell the future and have the ability to heal people; to them seven was a very lucky number.

By far, 13 is the most agreed upon unlucky number. So strong is the belief that many buildings have no thirteenth floor. There are several theories regarding this superstition. One theory stems from Scandinavian mythology, where 12 Gods ruled without conflict. Loki, often a trickster, made 13. He was said to be cruel and evil, often causing problems for humans.

Another theory is based on the 13 Valkyrie (winged females that choose who dies and who wins during battle) who escort fallen heroes who died in battle to Valhalla (hall of the slain).

The most common theory is based on Christianity. During the Last Supper, Christ was present along with his 12 apostles. Many consider Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Christ and ultimately hanged himself, to be number 13. There are many superstitions involving dates and numbers. These beliefs can play a part in many aspects of peoples' lives including anything from choosing a wedding date to picking lottery numbers.

Learn more about this author, JRR.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.