Word of the Day: Triskaidekaphobia

Triskaidekaphobia is the term for an irrational fear of the number 13. People who have triskaidekaphobia
might refuse to travel on the thirteenth of a month or refuse to attend or host events with 13 people attending. This phobia is relatively common in the Western world. Friday the 13th is a long-standing superstition in western culture that the day is unlucky and some people think bad things could happen when it comes around.

Meaning of Triskaidekaphobia

Though the spelling of Triskaidekaphobia is tricky, its meaning is pretty simple. Despite its long name, the triskaidekaphobia definition is actually very simple: it refers to an irrational and intense fear of the number 13. The word triskaidekaphobia has its roots in Greek, where tris means “three,” kai means “and,” deka means “ten,” and phobos means “fear.”

Where did the word Triskaidekaphobia come from?

The origins of triskaidekaphobia are linked to several cultural and historical sources. One widely cited source is the Christian Bible, particularly the story of the Last Supper. On the night before Lord Jesus Christ's arrest, he dined with his 12 apostles, making a total of 13 at the table. Because Jesus died shortly after the Last Supper, the number 13 is now considered unlucky.

Another possible origin comes from Norse mythology. In one tale, 12 gods gathered for a feast in Valhalla, but the trickster god Loki arrived uninvited, becoming the 13th guest. During this gathering, the god Baldur was killed, reinforcing the idea that a group of 13 could bring misfortune or danger.

Some sources put the origins of triskaidekaphobia even earlier: The Code of Hammurabi, for instance, which was written around 1760 BCE, has numbered laws but omits the number 13; the reasons for this are not known.

ALSO READ: What is Friday the 13th, why is it considered scary, how many times it falls in 2026, and how can you celebrate it? All FAQs answered

Does triskaidekaphobia exist in society?

You may have noticed some hotels don't have 1a 3th floor and some people don't prefer to travel on 13th. This is not a co-incidence and it can be due to triskaidekaphobia. Many people believe this number brings bad luck. In some scenarios, simply seeing the number 13 can induce anxiety, nervousness or discomfort in some people.

Some realtors (as many as 40%) have claimed that it is more difficult to sell houses that have a 13 in their address. Some airlines omit row 13 on their seat maps.

What are the symptoms of triskaidekaphobia?

Though triskaidekaphobia may not always be considered a medical phobia, but it can produce large and powerful emotional and physical reactions. Some of the common symptoms are:

Avoidance of the number 13 at all costs

Feelings of anxiety or panic when one sees the number

Difficulty concentrating on work, school, or social situations

In more serious cases, a person experiences sadness, panic, or anxiety attacks, including symptoms of:

Chest tightness and/or rapid heartbeat

Dizziness or lightheadedness

Perspiration, shaking, and/or dry mouth

Nausea, confusion, or shortness of breath

ALSO READ: 'O Romeo' release: Who is Hussain Ustara, the real Mumbai gangster at the centre of Shahid Kapoor's movie who challenged Dawood Ibrahim?

List of famous people who have triskaidekaphobia

According to Wikipedia, notable people reported to have triskaidekaphobia the fear of the number 13 include:

Arnold Schoenberg (composer)

Franklin D. Roosevelt (former U.S. President)

Sholom Aleichem (writer)

Stephen King (author)

Nick Yarris (author and speaker)

Angel Nieto (motorcycle racer)

Herbert Hoover (former U.S. President)

Mark Twain (author), though his fear may have been more anecdotal or humorous

Napoleon Bonaparte (French military leader)

Stephen King is notably open about his intense fear of the number 13, avoiding page numbers or chapters involving 13 in his writing.

How to use triskaidekaphobia in sentences?

Many hotels skip labeling the 13th floor due to triskaidekaphobia.

His triskaidekaphobia made him avoid scheduling important events on the 13th of any month.

Airlines sometimes avoid row 13 on planes, a practice influenced by triskaidekaphobia.

Superstitions like triskaidekaphobia can influence architecture, travel, and even weddings.

Synonyms / Related Terms

Fear of thirteen (common English description)

13-phobia (informal)

Related phobias (not exact synonyms but in the same family of number phobias):

Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia – fear of the number 666

Pentheraphobia – fear of mother-in-law (example of a specific phobia)