Exploring our curious fear of a simple number and what it reveals about human psychology
Left: A hotel elevator with the “missing” 13th floor. Right: Jason from Friday the 13th, the horror franchise that capitalized on our fear of the number.
Take a careful look at the elevator panel in the image above. Notice anything unusual? Despite giving away the answer in the title of this post, it’s worth pointing out explicitly: there is no 13th floor button. The numbers jump straight from 12 to 14, as if the 13th floor simply doesn’t exist.
Of course, the building does have a 13th floor—it’s just labeled as the 14th. In reality, everyone above the 12th floor is actually one floor higher than their button indicates. This architectural sleight-of-hand is remarkably common. According to a 2002 review by Otis Elevators, approximately 85% of high-rise buildings with their elevators skip the 13th floor designation entirely.
This raises a fascinating question: As a society, have we collectively lost our minds? How did we become so irrationally fearful of a simple number that we designed our buildings around avoiding it?
Triskaidekaphobia: The Fear With the Complicated Name
The technical term for fear of the number 13 is “triskaidekaphobia,” derived from Greek: “tris” (three), “kai” (and), “deka” (ten), and “phobos” (fear). Researchers estimate that approximately 10 percent of the U.S. population experiences some form of anxiety related to this number, resulting in significant behavioral changes and even economic impacts.
The specific fear of Friday the 13th—called paraskevidekatriaphobia—is so widespread that it reportedly causes financial losses exceeding $800 million annually as people avoid traveling, making major purchases, or even getting married on these “unlucky” days.
What makes the number 13 phobia particularly interesting is how architectural and business decisions cater to it. Beyond missing floor numbers, many hotels avoid room 13, airports skip gate 13, and some airlines don’t have a 13th row—all to accommodate a superstition that most people can’t rationally explain.
Where Did Our Fear of 13 Come From?
The origins of triskaidekaphobia are complex and intertwined with various cultural and religious traditions. Several prominent theories include:
- The Last Supper Theory: Perhaps the most widely cited explanation is biblical—at the Last Supper, Judas was the 13th person to arrive, and he subsequently betrayed Jesus. This association between the 13th guest and betrayal created a powerful negative connection.
- Norse Mythology: According to Norse legends, a dinner of the gods in Valhalla was ruined when Loki, the trickster god, arrived as the uninvited 13th guest, leading to the death of Balder, the god of light and joy.
- Numerological Discomfort: The number 13 follows 12, which was considered a “complete” number in many ancient systems. There are 12 months, 12 zodiac signs, 12 hours on the clock—making 13 seem irregular and disruptive to established patterns.
- Knights Templar Connection: Some historians connect Friday the 13th specifically to October 13, 1307, when King Philip IV of France ordered the mass arrest of the Knights Templar, leading to their torture and execution.
Interestingly, not all cultures share this fear. Ancient Egyptians actually considered 13 a lucky number associated with the afterlife and spiritual ascension. Meanwhile, in parts of Asia, the number 4 is considered unlucky due to its pronunciation being similar to the word for “death” in several languages.
Cultural Impact: From Architecture to Entertainment
The impact of triskaidekaphobia extends far beyond individual anxieties. Our collective unease with the number 13 has shaped architecture, business practices, and popular culture:
- Building Design: Beyond the missing 13th floors, many buildings designate the 13th floor as a mechanical or storage floor to avoid having occupants on that level.
- Aviation: Numerous airlines skip row 13 in their seating arrangements, and some airports avoid gate 13 designations.
- City Planning: Some cities even skip 13th Street or 13th Avenue in their urban layouts. Interestingly, Vancouver has recently banned this practice, citing potential confusion for emergency services.
- Entertainment: The “Friday the 13th” horror franchise has grossed hundreds of millions of dollars by capitalizing on our collective fear of this supposedly cursed date.
The economic impact of these superstitions is surprisingly significant. Studies suggest that businesses lose millions in revenue on Friday the 13th as people avoid travel, major purchases, and even routine activities.
The Psychology Behind the Superstition
What drives seemingly rational people to maintain these superstitions in our modern, scientifically advanced world? Psychologists suggest several explanations:
- Illusion of Control: Superstitions provide a sense of order and control in an uncertain world. By avoiding certain numbers or behaviors, people feel they can influence outcomes.
- Cultural Transmission: These beliefs are often passed down through generations and reinforced by continued observance and media portrayals.
- Confirmation Bias: When something bad happens on the 13th or on Friday the 13th, people remember and attribute it to the date, while forgetting the countless uneventful 13ths.
- Social Conformity: Even those who don’t personally believe in the superstition may maintain practices to avoid contradicting widely held cultural norms.
Perhaps the most interesting psychological aspect is how this superstition can create real effects. Studies have shown that people who believe 13 is unlucky actually experience more anxiety and stress on the 13th, potentially leading to decreased performance and increased accident rates—a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Rational Irrationality?
So, are we insane as a society for believing a number can bring bad luck? Perhaps not entirely. Superstitions often serve psychological functions, providing structure and a sense of control in an unpredictable world. They connect us to cultural traditions and shared human experiences across generations.
Personally, the number 13 has never caused me any particular concern. I’ve stayed in room 13, made important decisions on the 13th, and never felt the need to knock on wood after mentioning it. Yet I find our collective reaction to this number fascinating—it reveals how deeply irrational elements can persist within otherwise rational modern societies.
What’s particularly interesting is that some studies suggest people might actually be safer on Friday the 13th. A 2008 study by the Dutch Centre for Insurance Statistics found fewer traffic accidents and reports of theft on these supposedly unlucky days, possibly because people are more cautious or simply stay home.
Join the Conversation
Do you have any superstitions about the number 13? Have you ever made decisions based on numerical superstitions? Share your thoughts in the comments below!