Fear of the number thirteen. From the ancient Greek “tris” (three), “kai”(and), “deka” (ten).
The fear of the number 13 dates back to ancient times, but its roots in Western culture are often linked to Christian traditions. According to legend, Judas Iscariot, the apostle who betrayed Jesus, was the 13th guest at the Last Supper. For some it stems from Loki, a Viking god who, after not being invited to the dinner of the 12 gods of Valhalla, crashed the event and cursed the earth through the darkness.
Like the number 4 in East Asia, 13 is also avoided by hotels and airlines, people avoid big events or operations on Friday the 13th (it has a specific name: paraskavidekatriaphobia) and even Stephen King is influenced and frightened by the number 13. It is the page he writes the fastest, trying never to stop until he reaches page 14.
The Knights Templar, a medieval Christian military order, were allegedly persecuted on Friday the 13th in 1307 by agents of King Philip IV. This historical event contributed to the superstition surrounding both Friday the 13th and the number 13, embedding it further into Western culture as a day associated with bad luck.
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Post-Photography, AI Cooperation by Mirkolis, 2023/2024.