Fun Facts of the Number 13
Thirteen is more than a mere prime number. The number can cause some people to feel fearful, while for others it is a source of great luck. Few numbers create more of a stir, positive and negative, across the world than the number 13.
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Unlucky 13's
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The actual history of why number 13 is considered unlucky is somewhat elusive. One popular theory states that the number is connected to the last 13 Knights Templar being burned alive to end the Crusades on Friday the 13th, and thus has been deemed unfortunate. Another theory revolves around monks involved in maintaining the yearly lunar calendar when there are 13 full moons some years instead of 12, resulting in confusion of church festivals. Because of this confusion, years with 13 full moons became unlucky. Regardless of the true history, there are many people who are fearful of anything associated with the number, so much so that the phobia has been given a name: triskaidekaphobia.
Lucky 13's
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Not all societies consider the number 13 unlucky. There are equally compelling examples that this is a very lucky number. In Punjabi, 13 s pronounced "tera," which means "yours," as in "I am yours, O Lord." Colgate University holds the number in high regard because the university was founded by 13 men with 13 dollars, 13 prayers and 13 articles. The campus' address is even on 13 Oak Drive. To Colgate, anything with a 13 is a good omen. Also, in Italy, the number is considered to be very lucky.
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Religious 13's
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In Sikhism, the creation of Khalsa is celebrated on April 13th. In Hinduism, on the 13th day after a death, a feast or "Tehranvi" is organized in a name of peace for the one who passed on. In Catholicism, the famed Fatima visions of the Virgin Mary appeared on the 13th of every month for six months in 1917. In Judaism, 13 is the age at which a boy becomes a Bar Mitzvah. Also, the Torah talks about the God's 13 Attributes of Mercy.
Other 13's
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A baker's dozen is 13 of any baked good. The original U.S. flag had 13 stars. The current U.S. flag has thirteen stripes to represent the original 13 colonies.
The dictum on the U.S. Great Seal "E Pluribus Unum," found on the U.S. $1 bill has 13 letters. Apollo 13 was the only unsuccessful moon mission by NASA. The launch happened on April 11, 1970 at 13:13 CST, and the oxygen tank ruptured on April 13th, causing the mission to have to be aborted.
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References
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