Ever since the beginning of time. There have been different types of myths, urban legends, and of course superstitions. Some of those superstions were don’t walk in the path of a black cat, breaking a mirror, stepping on cracks in the sidewalk, walking under a ladder, opening an umbrella in the house, and seeing an owl during daylight are just a few of them that supposedly brought you bad luck. We are a society that not only believes in them, but also takes them to heart.
But the most famous, and perhaps the most pervasive and yet least explicable of all the superstitions. Is the strong dislike to the number thirteen. Ever since the beginning of time. The number 13 has been synonymous with bad luck especially when it happens to fall on a Friday. What is it about this number that is nicknamed,” the devils dozen” that makes it so unlucky? One explanation is that the number 13 brings bad luck because there were 13 people present at "The Last Supper" in the Bible. One of the dinner guests which was Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus Christ, setting the stage for the Crucifixion. The crucifixion also took place on a Friday. Since there were 12 tribes of Israel sitting at the table, that number was considered lucky. Until Judas Iscariot joined the party. Judas was also the first to die out of the 13.
Another story comes from Norse mythology. One of the nastiest Norse gods, "Loki", crashed a party at "Valhalla." Valhalla was the "banquet hall of the gods." There were 12 guests present at the hall until Loki arrived. With the mean-spirited Norse god Loki as the 13th guest, the affair turned grim. The story goes that "Balder", "the god of light, joy, and reconciliation", died when Loki tricked Balder's blind twin brother Hod into throwing a mistletoe fig dart at him because he was jealous of him. Not knowing what he did, Hod threw the fig dart, guided by Loki's aim. And just like Kryptonite to Superman, Mistletoe was the only thing on earth that could kill Balder. And Balder fell dead.
Another superstition is if you have 13 letters in your name, you will have the devil's luck. Jack the Ripper, Charles Manson, Jeffrey Dahmer, Theodore Bundy and Albert De Salvo all have 13 letters in their names. In 15th and 16th century Italy the number 13 was also associated with death which made it an unlucky number. How unlucky have some of us parents been when our children reach their first teen year? It seems that after they turn thirteen. They all of a sudden have a mind of their own and some start to rebel. They don’t want to listen and now they think that they know everything. Then of course we can’t forget that most tall buildings don’t have a 13th floor or a room number 13. Instead they go from 12 to 14 or they use a 12a instead of the 13. This is a regular practice in Las Vegas where luck plays a big part on how much money you win or lose.
So where exactly does this mysterious and unlucky number fit into our NASCAR season? Or are all of these myths just another example of exaggerated wives tales? Can all of these coincidences really happen on a daily basis or is there a flip side to this story and maybe, just maybe this number is really a lucky number when it comes to NASCAR? Stayed tuned for part 2 and we will find out together. Until then, I’m Out
One heckuva good post-if people will read, they might learn something-Very good points------I have a question for you about the 13th floor-just wondered if you had heard about this, if it's true, or some elrod trying to get publicity----
Hear me out, please-
This is what I heard and you know how that goes-
A bungie jumping crew miscalculated because of the 13th floor-he hit the deck-HARD-do you know anything about that?
no I don't know if I spelled bungie, bunji, or bungy correct-lol-lolo
Last edited by xbulrdr8 on August 13th at 11:59 PM.
POPS- I remember the first time I bought a dozen of doughnuts and the girl asked me if I wanted a bakers dozen. I looked at her real funny and told her, " I guess"? I had no clue what she was talking about. That was many years ago. Thanks POPS
There was a day when nobody, I mean NO body, would even think about driving a green car. I think Harry Gant and the Skoal Bandit turned that around.
Friday the 13th is also the day that the reigning king of France ('ol King Whatsisface) killed off all (most) of the Knights Templar. That gave the date a black eye too... especially if you were a Knight Templar.
Good read frevr3fan...To me the number "13" is just that. It's a number. To associate lucky or not with it, in my opinion, is ludicrous. We make our own luck. Good or bad.
If I count my middle name, I have thirteen letters.
Nothing wrong with my mind though.
I've also seen owls during the day.
On one particular day, I was walking around the corner of a barn and I guess I ####ed a Great Horned owl out of the trees, I swear that it was big enough to pick me up(135 lbs) as it flew over my head.
Later that afternoon, I played one of my best rounds of golf. Did that Owl sighting make a difference one way or the other? I think not.
I once heard a quote, " coincidence if traced far enough back, is inevitable" I totally agree.
Lori I didn't realize it until I got to work and started doing my paperwork for the day. That today is also the 13th. I had another post that I was gonna put up but decided on this last night. Pretty scary stuff. LOL Thanks
Chux- Thanks. You are right about Harry. Hopefully ;r can also be succesful in the green Amp car. Maybe if he paints a leprechaun on it he'll have good luck. I read that story about the king of France and almost used it. But then while sitting inside a green car. A little voice inside my head told me that Chux was gonna use it. Thanks for the added info. :)
Moseby-Thanks I'm wondering if maybe Madonna is the online dating troll that's been seen in some of our posts. When I played little league I wore the number 13 because Joe Ferguson wore it as a Dodger back in the 70's. I don't remember it bringing me any bad luck. Hmmmm Dan Marino a hall of famer who never won a super bowl. You are right this could go on and on.
3Fan- Great scribble and its all superstision to me but I do think it's why Marino never won a super bowl and if all three names equal 18 letters broken down its 666 ..lol
Rebel thanks for stopping by. My name has 13 letters in it. And actually I've had pretty good luck. I was supposed do 10 years in prison and got it cut down to one and a half. I agree about making our luck up to a certain point. I know one thing. If I ever seen an owl that big. I would have went back to bed thinking that I was dreaming. Out here in Cali the biggest bird that flies around is probably a hawk. The next part is going to be all NASCAR related.
Hey frevr3fan, there also isn't a thirteenth row of seats on any aircraft, or a seat 13. Along time along ( No date known ), they quit making a row thirteen because some aircraft had crashed.
Also, every time I fly, our pilot has the same name. His name is Speaking. He breaks in on the radio/com system and says this is your Captain, Speaking ha ha.
Hey good thing I dont believe in that superstitution. Especially since my birthday is the 13th. But I was born on a Monday. If I count just my first and last name...13 letters. But if I count my middle name that brings me to 17 letters.
In any case I like to think of 13 as a lucky number for me. Actually we have seats 13 & 14 at the Indy 500 for years. So guess which seat I always sit in every May!
Tsfan- Thats cool that you and your hubby have been married that long. Did the both of you realize that it was friday the 13th? I hope that the both of you have many more anniversaries together. :) A lot of people say that was the reason that Marino never won a super bowl was because of his number. I like what Rebel wrote about the number. I take it the same way. Its only a number. Thanks.
Wanted to let you know that I figgerred out what's wrong with me=got the paperwork right here-Got exposed to nerve agent (sarin gas)in the first gulf war- At least now I have something in writing- Only took a day or 2-(1991)-better late than never
I think a lot of folks here were exposed to that gas.
Good that you finally got some answers.
3 fan:
13 is just a number. Nothing really to it at all. Used to use it as a number on one of my race cars way back then.How ever I do have to concur that on Friday the 13th days I seem to have a relaps back to the human form for that day. Don't know if there is any thing to that or not.
Photo- Since you do use rockets in the GGW Racing series. I didnt want to write about the Apollo 13 in here. Im sure you know the story though. :) Thanks
I am a Nascar fan from Cali hoping to bring a diffrerent perspective to Nascar. And if not. At least I tried. I also love football, baseball, golf and basketball. I try to attend as many races a year as I can. Ive been to Kansas,Infine on,Phoenix,Ve gas,Californi a just to name a few. Ive been a fan going on about 20+ years. There is nothing like short track racing at Irwindale on saturday nights. Also love to watch and attend drag races. Of course John Force is my favorite driver. Im also a fan of Tony Schumacher. Maybe someday to be able to write about Nascar.
