Cultures around the world all have their own lucky and unlucky numbers. In most Western countries, 13 is considered unlucky. Different cultures each have their own unlucky numbers.

According to the University of South Carolina, 13 is considered unlucky because most people think that Judas, the apostle who betrayed Jesus, was the 13th to sit at the table of the Last Supper. Then, later on Friday, October 13, in 1307 King Philip of France arrested and tortured most of the Knights Templar who were a Catholic medieval military who defended Christian holy sites.  

Adelphi Studio states that, in China, Japan and other East Asian countries, the number four is considered so unlucky that it isn’t used in any sports teams, seat numbers or floors of buildings. The reason for it being considered unlucky is because its pronunciation in Mandarin is close to the pronunciation of death, and in Chinese culture it is taboo to talk or even think about death. They would rather think about ways to prolong or preserve life. 

Unlike in most Western countries, in China, Thailand and Vietnam, seven is considered unlucky, the reason is that the seventh month is considered the ghost month, the month when ghosts rise from hell to visit earth, says Adelphi Studio.

In Italy, 17 is considered unlucky because when it is written in Roman numerals, XVII can then be rearranged to VIXI. When VIXI translated from Latin means, “my life is over” written by Adelphi Studio.

All of these cultures have their own unlucky numbers, due to either their past or how the numbers are pronounced. It’s an interesting example of how cultures around the world are unique but still have common ground.