Is the fear of number 13 real or just a myth? Here's what we know

Time of India

26-07-2025

AI is writing code, spacecraft are exploring beyond the moon, and technology is pushing every boundary. Yet, many buildings skip the 13th floor. Airlines quietly leave out row 13.
Important plans are sometimes avoided on the 13th of the month.
This quiet discomfort isn't just a coincidence. It's tied to triskaidekaphobia– the long-standing superstition around the number 13. For some, it's just a harmless quirk. For others, it triggers real unease. Despite scientific progress, the fear still lingers in unexpected places. But where did it begin– and why does it still hold power in the modern world?
Is it a real phobia or just an old habit?
Fear of the number 13– also known as triskaidekaphobia– doesn't always count as a serious psychological phobia, according to a report by Medical News Today.
Most people who avoid the number aren't panicking or deeply distressed. It's more of a mild discomfort, like feeling weird about staying in room 13 or sitting in row 13 on a flight.
That's why mental health professionals usually don't see it as a medical condition, as per online sources. It's generally considered a cultural superstition, not a disorder– unless it starts to seriously affect someone's daily life or cause unusual levels of anxiety.
Ancient roots, global presence
The fear of the number 13 isn't something new, and it's not limited to one culture either. Over time, different traditions and stories have added to its reputation.
According to a report by Very Well Mind, one of the most well-known examples comes from Christianity– the Last Supper, where Jesus had dinner with his 12 apostles. Some reports suggest that the betrayer Judas was the 13th to join the table. In Norse mythology, there's a similar story where Loki, the trickster god, showed up uninvited as the 13th guest at a feast and caused trouble.
Still visible in everyday life
Even in today's tech-driven, logical world, the fear of the number 13 still quietly lingers. In many modern buildings, you won't find a 13th floor. Some airplanes skip row 13 entirely, and even cities avoid using the number when naming streets or plots.
As per online reports, pop culture has played a role in keeping the superstition alive– especially with the popularity of the Friday the 13th horror films. In many Western countries, Friday the 13th is considered an unlucky day.
While no one knows exactly why, one theory traces it back to the year 1307, when a group called the Knights Templar was arrested on a Friday the 13th.
Not just 13– other numbers carry meaning too
According to Very Well Mind, this uneasiness with certain numbers isn't just about 13 or limited to Western cultures. In China, for example, the number 4 is often avoided, especially in hospitals or real estate, because it sounds similar to the word for 'death.' The same goes for Japan and South Korea, where some numbers are skipped in elevators or hospital rooms for similar reasons.
These examples show how language and culture can shape what people believe, even if there's no real logic or scientific reason behind it.
When should it be taken seriously?
In most cases, the fear of the number 13 isn't something that needs treatment. But if someone starts going out of their way to avoid it– like changing travel plans, skipping buildings, or feeling anxious just seeing the number– it could point to a deeper fear or obsessive pattern.
When that happens, doctors often recommend cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), according to Very Well Mind.
It helps people face their fears slowly and with support. In more serious cases, medication might be used along with therapy, though that's pretty rare for this kind of fear.
A fear that's more cultural than clinical
In the end, triskaidekaphobia isn't really about the number 13– it's more about how culture, stories, and old beliefs still shape the way we think and act. For some people, it's just an interesting quirk. For others, it brings a bit of unease. Either way, it shows that even in today's logical world, certain superstitions still stick around– quietly affecting our choices without us even realising it.