The Number 13: Meaning behind the unlucky number

Throughout history, the number 13 has been linked to superstition and ill fortune in a wide variety of civilizations. The number 13 has been associated with bad luck throughout history, from the Last Supper to modern elevators that refuse to stop at the 13th floor. But why does this number have such a negative connotation, and what role does it play in occult symbolism and history?

The common belief that the number 13 is unlucky stems from the meal Jesus shared with his disciples at the Last Supper. There were 13 individuals at the table the night before Jesus' crucifixion, including Jesus and his 12 apostles. It is believed that Judas Iscariot, the disciple who ultimately betrayed Jesus, arrived at the Last Supper as the thirteenth guest.

However, the 13th-number-related superstition existed long before Christianity. Loki, the Norse deity of mischief and destruction, was the uninvited 13th guest at a dinner party. Both witches in ancient Rome were said to congregate in groups of 13 and the Egyptian afterlife stairway had 13 rungs.

The end of one cycle and the beginning of another, the number 13 has a double meaning in occult traditions: death and rebirth. It's also connected to the tarot card "Death," which stands for endings and beginnings.

The 13 initial colonies of the United States are linked to the significance of the number 13 in Freemasonry. Freemasons are widely believed to be responsible for creating the iconic Great Seal of the United States, which depicts an eagle clutching 13 arrows and an olive branch with 13 leaves. 

There are 13 levels of Freemasonry's Scottish Rite, and the number 13 is significant to both of these organizations. The Scottish Rite is a Masonic order with a strong emphasis on Freemasonry's moral and spiritual underpinnings. The search for truth, the nature of God, and the immortality of the soul are just some of the topics covered in its several degrees, which are founded on the teachings of the ancient mystery schools. 

The Royal Arch of Solomon is the Scottish Rite's 13th degree. It centers on the quest for the Master Mason's secret word, which is inspired by the legend of King Solomon's Temple. The degree is thought to symbolize reaching spiritual enlightenment and the end of one's Masonic path. 

Despite its unlucky reputation, the number 13 has good implications in various cultures. The lunar cycle, with its 13 full moons per year, has special significance in some pagan traditions. Since there are 13 monthly periods in a year, this number is also symbolic of the goddess and feminine power. The Freemasons are one of the many secret societies that holds the number 13 in high regard, since it represents the original 13 colonies that made up the United States.

The lunar calendar plays a significant role in the meaning of the number 13. If a lunar cycle lasts around 29.5 days, then a lunar year of 12 months would last about 354 days. A solar year lasts roughly 365.25 days, thus this is shorter. As a solution, some civilizations adopted lunar-based calendars with 13 months of 28 days each. However, these calendars gradually drift out of phase with the seasons, rendering their use in agriculture and other fields problematic.

Finally, the number 13 has a long and convoluted association with both bad and good meanings. It has a rich cultural and religious importance, despite its negative connotations and superstitious associations. Some cultural calendars have been developed with reference to the lunar cycle, which contributes significantly to the numerological significance of the number 13. Whether or not you believe in the superstitions associated with the number 13, its rich and varied history is fascinating to learn about.