A stereotype has formed in the human mind that the number 13 is a bad omen. Nobody wants to live in a room under these numbers, to sit on a seat in an airplane under similar symbols, and on Friday, the 13th, everyone wants to survive as soon as possible. However, no one will say why everything is so, why 13 is a damn dozen, and why is it so scary. Let's see if everything is so terrible, where did the belief come from, and maybe everything is not so bad?
Triskaidecaphobia
A damn dozen, or simply the number thirteen, is an interesting and extraordinary phenomenon. No other number implies such a huge number of signs and superstitions that predict trouble. What is a damn dozen, not a single person knows specifically, but there is a certain interesting fact: the number 13 is not only a misfortune, but also a fright. The ailment associated with the fear of the number 13 is called triskaidekaphobia.
Terdecaphobia (another name) is a painful fear of the number 13. This is both fear and superstition at the same time. Since historical times, all this has to do with religious prejudices. The fear caused by the approach of Friday the 13th is called friggatriskaidekaphobia, or parasavedecatriaphobia.
What are the fears associated with?
There is no single answer. If you ask a question, a damn dozen - how much is it, then everyone will say with confidence - thirteen. However, ask the same people the question of where the unjustified superstitions came from. The exact theory is not put forward by any of them. There are several versions of what the fear of a dozen dozen is associated with.
According to biblical traditions, Judas Iscariot during the Last Supper sat at the thirteenth table. In the nineteenth century in Europe there was a belief that it was impossible to gather 13 people at one table, otherwise one of the guests would die within a year. Also among Christians it was believed that the thirteenth “man” was the Antichrist himself.
Another hypothesis related to the fear of the number 13 is explained by the fact that in the lunar-solar calendar some years have 13 months. At the same time, the lunar Islamic and solar Gregorian calendars prove that one year is 12 months.
Some facts about a dozen dozen
The British Navy once launched a ship called the Friday the 13th. The ship also left on its first voyage on that very day. No one ever saw the ship again.
Tell me a damn dozen - how much is it? Of course, thirteen. It was on August 13 that Fidel Castro was born, on April 13 (also on Friday) Butch Cassedy was born - a robber of trains and banks. Thus, fate itself predetermines human fate in the world.
Many hospitals can boast that they do not have room number 13. Also, some high-rise buildings do not number 13 floors.
The Baker's Dozen
That's what the hell dozen are called in the UK. Despite such a beautiful title, people believe that these numbers cannot bode well. Previously, in this country 13 had the same title as in other states. However, once in the UK a law was passed under which bakers had to pay a fine if their pound loaves of bread were not up to standard. The fact that the bread is shrinking is known to everyone and everyone, therefore, to avoid punishment, all the merchants who took the bread from the bakers purchased one additional loaf for every dozen. The extra loaf was called unbread and it was cut into pieces to those loaves that weighed a little less than a pound. That is why in the United Kingdom, when asked a damn dozen - how much is this, everyone always answers: 13 - a baker's dozen.
Happiness from number 13
Despite all the above troubles from a damn dozen, there are some facts that argue in favor of this number and suggest that it can bring happiness and joy. So, in antiquity it was believed that the one in the group was 13th, that predicted power and strength. An example is the omnipotent god Zeus, who was surrounded by 12 celestials. That is why neither Plato nor Ovid was frightened by the question: damn dozen - how much is it? In those days, they did not even know
who the hell was, and the number 13 in them caused only delight and joy.
Ulysses was 13th among his comrades. And he was the only one who managed to escape from Cyclops. 13 Buddhas are located in the Indian pantheon. The United States - a country that was formed under the explicit patronage of the number 13, today is a strong, powerful state.
Military people generally do not believe in the power of the number thirteen. During World War II, it was the Soviet submarine S-13 that was the most successful among all the submarines of the Baltic Fleet. She took part in the most dangerous operations, but always emerged victorious from those situations that were considered doomed.
All this provides the basis for casting aside prejudices, asserting for oneself that among 13 there is nothing to worry about. And always say, seeing somewhere sign 13: “Oh, damn dozen! This is how much good can happen to me today. ”