In a striking display of superstition, none of the UDF ministers in Kerala chose the number 13 for their official cars, even though the Tourism Department had kept it ready. This reluctance highlights the deep-rooted fear of the number 13 in politics.

In contrast, during Pinarayi Vijayan’s LDF government, ministers willingly used the number 13 car. Agriculture Minister P Prasad used the number 13 car in the previous Pinarayi cabinet, and Finance Minister Thomas Isaac had specifically requested it in the first Pinarayi government. Even earlier, in the VS Achuthanandan government (2006), Education Minister MA Baby traveled in a car with the number 13. During the Oommen Chandy government too, no minister used the number 13 vehicle.

Why is 13 Considered Unlucky?

The number 13 is widely regarded as the most unlucky number in many parts of the world. The fear stems from multiple sources:

• Last Supper: At Jesus Christ’s Last Supper, there were 13 people present, with Judas being the 13th to sit at the table.
• Friday the 13th: Jesus was crucified on a Friday, leading to the association of Friday the 13th as an especially unlucky day.
• Apollo 13: The Apollo 13 mission suffered an oxygen tank explosion on April 13, forcing an abort of the moon landing.
• Friday the 13th Stock Crash (1989): A major stock market crash known as the “Mini-Crash” occurred on Friday, October 13, 1989.
• Buckingham Palace Bombing: During World War II, Buckingham Palace was hit by 5 German bombs on September 13.
• Bhola Cyclone (1970): One of history’s deadliest natural disasters hit Bangladesh on November 13, 1970, killing at least 500,000 people.
• Uruguay Rugby Team Crash (1972): A plane carrying the Uruguayan rugby team crashed in the Andes on October 13, 1972, leading to the survival story later made into the film “Alive.” On the same day, another plane crashed in Moscow killing 174 people.

Not All Cultures Fear 13

Despite this widespread fear, many cultures consider 13 lucky:

• France: The number 13 is considered lucky and appears on postage stamps.
• Greece: In Greek mythology, Zeus is the 13th god, making 13 a symbol of courage and divinity.
• Thailand: The Thai New Year (Songkran) falls on April 13.
• India: In the Hindu calendar, the 13th day (Trayodashi) is considered highly auspicious for Shiva worship, and Pradosha Vrata is observed on this day. Mahashivaratri is celebrated on the 13th day of the month of Kumbha.

The fear of 13, known as triskaidekaphobia, affects about 10% of Americans. Many buildings skip the 13th floor, and hospitals and hotels avoid room number 13. Even a club started in 1881 in New York called “The Thirteen Club” tried to dispel this fear, with members including US Presidents Chester A. Arthur and Theodore Roosevelt — but it eventually faded away.