13 Unlucky Number Superstitions (Other Than 13)

While the number 13 gets all the attention as the most notorious unlucky number in the Western world, it’s far from the only number believed to carry bad luck. Around the globe, various cultures have their own numerical superstitions. These beliefs often stem from language, religion, mythology, and even historical events, shaping a widespread fear of numbers beyond 13. Here’s a look at 13 unlucky numbers from different belief systems that may surprise you.

1. 4 in Chinese Culture

In many East Asian countries, particularly China, the number 4 is considered extremely unlucky because it sounds similar to the word for "death" (死, sǐ) in Mandarin and Cantonese. This aversion to the number 4 is so strong that some buildings in China skip the 4th floor entirely, just as Western buildings often omit the 13th floor. The superstition extends to other Asian countries like Japan and Korea, where the number 4 is similarly avoided.

2. 17 in Italian Culture

In Italy, the number 17 is seen as a bad omen due to its association with death. The Roman numeral for 17 is XVII, which can be rearranged to spell "VIXI," meaning "I have lived" in Latin—a phrase often found on tombstones. This implies that life is over, making 17 an inauspicious number. Many Italian buildings skip the 17th floor, and you’ll rarely find seats numbered 17 in theaters or on airplanes.

3. 9 in Japanese Culture

Similar to the number 4 in Chinese culture, the number 9 is considered unlucky in Japan because it sounds like the word for "pain" or "suffering" (苦, ku). This superstition is particularly strong in medical contexts, where people avoid associating with the number 9 to prevent bad luck in health matters. Hospitals in Japan often skip room numbers containing 9.

4. 39 in Afghan Culture

In Afghanistan, the number 39 is linked to a derogatory term referring to pimps. The superstition stems from its association with an infamous pimp in the city of Herat whose car license plate featured the number 39. Since then, the number has been considered cursed, and people go to great lengths to avoid it, especially when it comes to phone numbers, addresses, or license plates.

5. 666 in Christian Culture

Widely known as the "number of the beast" from the Bible’s Book of Revelation, 666 is feared in Christian cultures as a symbol of the devil or the antichrist. Many people avoid this number entirely, from hotel rooms to license plates. The superstition is so pervasive that it even has a name: hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia—literally, the fear of 666.

6. 7 in Traditional Chinese Medicine

While the number 7 is considered lucky in many cultures, it’s seen as unlucky in the context of traditional Chinese medicine. In this belief system, every seven years, the body undergoes a change that brings potential illness or harm. It’s thought that people are more vulnerable to disease or misfortune in the seventh, fourteenth, and twenty-first years of life, making 7 a less-than-ideal number in this context.

7. 8 in Indian Numerology

In Indian numerology, the number 8 is associated with Shani, the god of karma and justice, who brings hardships and delays to those under his influence. The planet Saturn, which represents Shani in Vedic astrology, governs the number 8, and it is often linked to struggles, obstacles, and heavy karmic burdens. As a result, people in India avoid the number 8, especially in dates for important events like weddings.

8. 26 in Indian Superstition

The number 26 is considered unlucky in India because of its association with multiple tragic events. Several devastating earthquakes and terrorist attacks, including the 2001 Gujarat earthquake and the 2008 Mumbai attacks, occurred on the 26th of the month. This has led to the belief that 26 carries an unlucky and dangerous energy.

9. 250 in Chinese Slang

The number 250 is unlucky in Chinese slang because it refers to someone being stupid or foolish. The term "二百五" (èr bǎi wǔ) is used as an insult and implies that the person is idiotic or half-witted. While not tied to life or death like the number 4, it’s still an unlucky number to be associated with in Chinese culture, especially in personal or business matters.

10. 3 in Vietnam

In Vietnam, the number 3 can carry unlucky associations, particularly when it comes to relationships and love. A well-known saying, "three people are one too many," reflects the belief that the number 3 can create imbalance and conflict. This applies especially to romantic relationships, where the presence of a third person is seen as a harbinger of jealousy or betrayal.

11. 14 in Chinese and Korean Cultures

The number 14 is considered unlucky in Chinese and Korean cultures because it combines two unlucky numbers: 1 and 4. In Chinese, the number 14 can be pronounced as "yī sì," which sounds like "will die" (一死). As with the number 4, buildings and elevators often skip the 14th floor in these countries to avoid associations with death.

12. 5 in Ghanaian Superstition

In Ghana, the number 5 is considered unlucky when it appears in specific contexts, particularly in relation to markets and trading. Market days that fall on the 5th day of the week are believed to bring bad business or financial losses. Some traders avoid opening their stalls on these days, and others refrain from making major transactions.

13. 191 in Thai Superstition

In Thailand, the number 191 is unlucky because it’s the phone number for emergency services. Associating this number with accidents, emergencies, and crises has given it an ominous reputation. Some people believe that seeing or hearing the number 191 can bring bad luck or misfortune, especially if it's encountered unexpectedly.

Conclusion: Unlucky Numbers Across the World

Superstitions about numbers are a common thread across many cultures, even though the numbers themselves may differ. Whether it’s the dreaded 4 in Chinese culture or the sinister 666 in Christian belief, the fear of certain numbers is often rooted in language, history, or religion. While some of these unlucky numbers may seem strange or surprising, they reveal a universal human tendency to seek patterns and meaning in the world around us—even in something as abstract as numbers.