Friday the 13th and Other Unlucky Numbers Around the World (2024)

It's Friday the 13th, 2013, and this means many people in America and other western countries are throwing salt over their shoulders, avoiding ladders and trying to be extra careful. The number 13 is unlucky for many western people, so much so that some buildings will not have a 13th floor. However, the number 13 isn't unlucky for everyone; in fact, some countries think the number 13 is lucky! Many other numbers are considered unlucky around the world for various reasons. Anyone traveling to another country, or doing business with someone from another culture, would be wise to understand these number associations and try to avoid offending or scaring someone unintentionally. After all, you wouldn't want a business deal to fall through because a person from another culture saw a bad omen in your use of numbers! This is especially true for countries who have number associations based on how the number sounds when pronounced - in Chinese and Japanese languages, the number 4 is pronounced similar to the word for "death" and is a number to be avoided.

This infographic from the folks at Smartling goes into detail on unlucky numbers around the world and why they're unlucky. Stay tuned to the end because there are some cultures who believe 13 is lucky! Are you one of those people who has good luck on Friday the 13th? Share your stories with us!