13 MYTHS AND REALITIES ABOUT THE NUMBER 13

1.- There were twelve guests at Christ's Last Supper; he was the 13th one, which is why it's a common belief never to have 13 guests at the table — some people even set out extra place settings and plates to avoid this number.

2.- Many hotels don't have a room No. 13. Some buildings skip the floor with this number.

3.- Airlines avoid this number on their flights, and there's no seat for passengers bearing this number either.

4.- For some people, 13 is a lucky number. Strange as that may seem.

5.- If the 13th falls on a Friday, the negative influence is said to be even greater. Although this belief is very common in many parts of the world, there's no concrete explanation of what or who started it.

6.- Triskaidekaphobia is the name given to the fear the number 13 causes in people.

7.- It's believed that the god Loki, in the Norse pantheon, was No. 13. In the Christian religion, Satan was the thirteenth angel.

8.- Carrying 13 pesos in your wallet is very bad luck and a sign of bankruptcy.

9.- Apollo 13 was launched into space at 13:13 and suffered an in-flight explosion that endangered the crew's lives; this event led people to believe in the bad luck this number brings.

10.- Richard Wagner was born in a year ending in 13. The letters of his full name add up to 13. The digits of his birth year add up to 13 (1813). He composed 13 operas and died on the 13th.

11.- For the Egyptians, life unfolds in thirteen stages — twelve in this present life and the 13th in eternal life, after death.

12.- In Tarot, Death is identified with the number 13; its meaning is transformation and change.

13.- It's believed that cutting your hair and nails on the 13th brings bad luck for the whole year.