When it comes to the top 10 superstitious numbers that pepper cultures worldwide, 3, 7 and 13 immediately jump to mind. Bad luck is said to arrive in threes, even death, while 7 is hailed as a prime bearer of good fortune. In 2016, the world collectively held its breath as actor Alan Thicke passed away on December 13, a date that seemed to echo the ominous reputation of the number.
Top 10 Superstitious Numbers Explored
10 Knock on Wood with a Twist
The age‑old practice of “knocking on wood” – or “touching wood” – is a global habit meant to stave off misfortune and invite good vibes. By giving a wooden surface a light tap, people believe they can keep bad luck at bay and pull fortune toward themselves.
In Iceland, the custom is so ingrained that you’ll hear knuckles clacking against doors everywhere, without a second thought. Locals often chant “sjö níu þrettán,” which translates to “seven nine thirteen,” while they perform the ritual.
Here, the number seven carries magical weight because it can be formed by adding three and four, symbols of the spirit and material realms respectively. The number nine emerges from multiplying three by three, echoing the Holy Trinity, while thirteen harks back to an extra month in the ancient Roman calendar that was deemed unlucky.
Reciting “seven nine thirteen” is believed to balance the good and the bad, acting as a charm that both wards off ill fate and summons positive energy.
9 Tuesday the 13th
Move over, Friday the 13th – in Spain, the real troublemaker is Tuesday the 13th. When the 13th lands on a Tuesday, the superstitious tend to stay indoors, fearing that misfortune may be lurking around every corner.
The day inherits its bad‑luck aura from Mars, the Roman god of war, whose name gave rise to “Martes,” the Spanish word for Tuesday. Historically, the fall of Constantinople on Tuesday, April 13, 1204, cemented the day’s ominous reputation.
Legend also ties Tuesday the 13th to the biblical “Confusion of Tongues” that erupted after the Tower of Babel was built, and the 13th chapter of Revelation, which foretells the Antichrist’s arrival, further deepening its dark connotations.
Because of this lingering dread, a popular saying emerged: “Don’t marry, go on a boat, or leave your house on a Tuesday.”
8 The Number of Good Fortune and Wealth
Back in 2016, a Sydney office tower changed hands for the eye‑catching sum of A$88,888,888. While the figure sounds almost whimsical, it dramatically accelerated the sale because the number eight is a powerhouse of luck in Chinese culture.
The digit eight appears everywhere in Chinese real‑estate: from street numbers to floor levels. Buyers often request that an eight feature in the price tag, hoping it will usher in prosperity.
Many apartment hunters even aim for the eighth floor or a unit whose address includes an eight, believing those numbers will bring them financial success.
Beyond property, the number eight permeates major events – the 2008 Beijing Olympics kicked off at 8 minutes and 8 seconds past 8 pm on 8/8/08, and the Petronas Twin Towers each boast 88 floors. Even phone numbers, like +86 28 8888 8888, have been sold for hefty sums because of the digit’s auspicious reputation.
7 On the Flip Side
While eight brings fortune, the number four is shunned across many Asian societies because its pronunciation closely resembles the word for “death.” This linguistic coincidence has birthed a widespread aversion known as tetraphobia.
Companies and developers go to great lengths to dodge the digit: Alfa Romeo rebranded its 144 model for the Singapore market, Nokia stopped releasing phones beginning with a four, and Beijing halted production of license plates containing the number.
Even architecture feels the impact – many hospitals and high‑rise buildings skip the fourth floor entirely. In Japan, the combination 49 (four‑nine) is especially unlucky, echoing a phrase that translates to “pain until death.”
6 The Number of the Beast
The figure 666 has long been linked to the “number of the beast” from the Book of Revelation, cementing its reputation as a symbol of the devil and spawning the phobia known as hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia.
In the United States, many believe the number has been covertly embedded in banking, Social Security, medical records, and even UPC barcodes, prompting some to avoid living in homes numbered 666 or to wait until their car’s odometer jumps past the dreaded triple‑six.
Highway 666 earned the nickname “Devil’s Highway” after a series of accidents that locals attributed to the route’s ominous number. Even former President Ronald Reagan and his wife, Nancy, altered their Bel‑Air address from 666 to 668 after moving in.
Nevertheless, 666 isn’t universally unlucky. On Friday, October 13 2017, Flight 666 departed Copenhagen at 13:00 and landed safely in Helsinki, proving that the number can sometimes fly under the radar of misfortune.
5 It’s All in the Numbers
Russia boasts a rich tapestry of number‑based superstitions. For instance, shaking hands over a threshold on a Friday the 13th is thought to offend the house spirit, Domovoi, especially on that infamous date.
Another quirky custom involves spitting three times over the left shoulder after complimenting someone’s looks or a newborn’s health, a gesture believed to ward off envy.
Some Russians even eat their bus tickets when the sum of the three left‑most numbers matches the sum of the three right‑most numbers, treating the act as a charm for good luck.
Additional taboos include delaying a newborn’s public debut for at least 40 days and avoiding even‑numbered flower bouquets, as even numbers are traditionally reserved for funerals.
4 Superstition in the Land of Magic
Four‑leaf clovers have long been a staple of Irish folklore, symbolizing protection against evil and the ability to glimpse fairies. The rarity of the leaf makes it a potent talisman for good luck.
Beyond clovers, Ireland has a famous magpie rhyme: “One for sorrow, two for joy, three for a girl and four for a boy, five for silver, six for gold, seven for a secret never to be told.” The number of magpies seen dictates the appropriate gesture – a quick salute when the count is unfavorable.
If a lone magpie appears, a respectful wave is said to break any looming curse, ensuring the observer stays on the right side of fate.
Finally, should a funeral procession pass you, resist the urge to count the vehicles; doing so is believed to reveal exactly how many years you have left to live.
3 Friday the 17th
In Italy, the unlucky day isn’t Friday the 13th but rather Friday the 17th, dubbed a “black day.” The number 17 is considered inauspicious, while 13 is oddly viewed as a lucky charm.
The superstition may stem from the belief that the Great Flood began on the 17th day of the second month. Coupled with the crucifixion of Jesus on a Friday, the date has acquired a double dose of bad‑luck reputation.
Italians often carry talismans such as red horn pendants, horseshoes, or even a picture of a hunchbacked figure on this day, and they warn skeptics: “Not on Friday, nor on Tuesday does one marry, depart, or start anything.”
2 Unlucky for Some
New Zealanders harbor some of the world’s most distinctive superstitions, especially when it comes to new homes. A traditional house‑warming involves walking through every room with a loaf of bread and salt, while guests are expected to bring salt and coal to ward off fire hazards.
Historically, a virgin’s shirt would be sealed in a jar and buried in the garden to prevent house fires – a practice now rare due to the scarcity of virgins.
Data from 2016 revealed that properties bearing the number 13 often sold for less. In Mission Bay, Auckland, homes numbered 13 fetched $390,000 less than comparable houses, while in Orakei the shortfall was $350,000.
Interestingly, some neighborhoods like Glendowie and Northcote saw the opposite effect, with 13‑numbered homes commanding higher prices than the local median, suggesting the number’s luck varies by locale.
1 What’s Up with the Number 23?
Ever stumbled upon a Facebook group called the 23rdians? Members post photos of the number 23 popping up in everyday life, turning a simple digit into an obsession.
The fascination allegedly began with writer William Burroughs, who claimed to have met a sea captain whose vessel sank the very day Burroughs bragged about a 23‑year streak without maritime accidents. Later that night, a news report mentioned a Flight 23 crash in Florida, piloted by a man named Clark – the same name as the sea captain – cementing the number’s eerie reputation.
Since then, the number 23 has been linked to numerous tragedies: the Twin Towers fell on 9/11/2001 (9 + 11 + 2 + 0 + 0 + 1 = 23), Julius Caesar was stabbed 23 times, and musician Kurt Cobain’s birth year (1967) and death year (1994) each sum to 23 (1 + 9 + 6 + 7 = 23; 1 + 9 + 9 + 4 = 23).