Is the number 13 inauspicious?

Arka Dey, Assistant Teacher, explores the intriguing realm of superstitions, focusing on the fear of the number 13, commonly known as Triskaidekaphobia.

Before going into the topic wholly, we need to understand what is superstition! “superstition” is nothing but something that we assume or believe blindly without actually finding the logical reason behind it. In history, so many times we find that the number 13 has been considered unlucky.
The fear of this number has its own personalised name known as “Triskaidekaphobia”. It is a combination of the Greek words “tris”, meaning “three”, “kai”, meaning “and”, “Deka” meaning “ten” and “phobia” meaning “fear”.
*Apollo 13 was launched on 11 April and it went through an explosion on the 13th of April (2 thirteens).
*Another example is the Columbia Space Shuttle. This one went into space on 1/16/2003. Add all the numbers and you will get the number 13. During its re-entry into Earth, it exploded. All the crew members died.
*Many hotels in China and America don’t have a 13th floor. After the 12th, either they have 12 and a half or the 14th.
*Even Microsoft considers the number 13 very unlucky and that is the reason why there is no version of 13.
But just because some superstition is blindly acknowledged, does it make it true? Does this number really deserve this much threat and hate?
I think we overthink superstitions and commit foul mistakes because there are some holy as well as good events related to this very number.
Let us have a look-
*In ancient Greece, Zeus is considered the thirteenth and the most powerful God. This thirteenth God seems to be associated with wholesome behaviour, completion, and unity.
*13 is a prime number, which means it cannot be divided by any number other than itself. Hence, symbolizes qualities of incorruptible nature and purity.
*As we all know, 13 is the age of change or transition for every girl or boy. It is the age when children officially become teenagers.
*The US flag has 13 strips, that represent the union of 13 colonies to fight the British rule, later these 13 colonies became the first thirteen states of the United States of America.
*In Hindu mythology, Maha Shivratri is celebrated on the thirteenth night of the Magha month, which is very sacred and a holy night for all the Shiva devotees.
*In the sacred book of the Sikhs, the “Guru Granth Sahib”, the word “Waheguru” which means eternal guru appears 13 times.
The list goes on.
Being a teacher of Mathematics, the first thing I learned was that for a phenomenon to be true, there must be no exceptions. The phenomenon must be proved for every single condition.
In the summary of whatever points above stated, we come to the very conclusion that superstitions are just a part of our fickle mind. hence, it can drain our minds into pits and also, uplift our knowledge.