Triskaidekaphobia facts for kids
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Triskaidekaphobia is a special word for the fear of the number thirteen. Many people in Western cultures believe the number 13 brings bad luck. Because of this belief, some buildings in the United States do not have a "13th floor." They might skip from the 12th floor straight to the 14th.
This fear is a type of phobia, which is a very strong and often unreasonable fear of something. The word "Triskaidekaphobia" was first used by a person named Isador Coriat in his book Abnormal Psychology.
Contents
Why People Fear the Number 13
The idea that 13 is unlucky comes from old superstitions. Superstitions are beliefs that are not based on science or facts. For example, some people think walking under a ladder or a black cat crossing their path brings bad luck. The fear of 13 is one of these old beliefs.
Friday the 13th Superstition
Many people also fear Friday the 13th. This specific fear has its own long names: paraskevidekatriaphobia or friggatriskaidekaphobia. This shows how strong the belief in 13 being unlucky can be for some.
Is 13 Really Unlucky?
Even though some people fear it, the number 13 is not actually unlucky. There is no real reason for people to be afraid of it. It is just a number, like any other. Many cultures around the world do not see 13 as unlucky at all.
Related pages
Images for kids
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The lift shaft has numbers marking the levels, but the 13th level is instead marked with a heart.
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The disaster that occurred on Apollo 13 may have been a factor that led to a renaming that prevented a mission called STS-13.
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An elevator in a residential apartment building in Shanghai: the 4th, 13th and 14th floors in height are deliberately not so named, such numbers are skipped.
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Stall numbers at Santa Anita Park progress from 12 to 12A to 14.
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Alternate mission patch of STS-41C, with a 13 and a black cat. This mission landed on April 13th, which was a Friday the 13th, and was originally scheduled as STS-13.
See also
In Spanish: Triscaidecafobia para niños
