(Noun) A belief or way of behaving; a belief that certain events or things will bring good or bad luck.

#13 is bad luck

In the code of Hammurabi (an early law code dating back to ancient Babylon), the laws are numbered 1-12, skip 13, and pick up again with 14. Babylonians considered 13 an extremely unlucky number. No one knows why. Starting Point Law 1... Law 2... Law 3... Law 4... Law 5... Law 6... Law 7... Law 8... Law 9... Law Law Law Law Law Law Law Law 18...

The earliest documentation of #13 being bad luck is in the poem, “Song of Ishtar”. The 13 th line of the poem mentions the goddess of the dead, Ereshkigal. Also, it is believed Judas, who betrayed Jesus, was the 13 th person at the Last Supper. Literary Connection Connections Pagan- Religious Connection

The Triskaidekaphobia superstition has also influenced sports in the following ways: HOCKEY: 1. Not one successful hockey player has ever worn the #13 in the history of hockey. 2. There has never been a hockey player in the history of hockey that wore the #13 in a Stanley Cup game. Triskaidekaphobia and Sports

BASEBALL: 1. #13 became an unlucky number in baseball when Brooklyn Dodger, Ralph Branca (pitcher), allowed Bobby Thompson to hit a home run off of him. Bobby’s home run was forever known as the "shot heard around the world.” 2. AROD, #13 on the Yankees. 3. No pitcher with a number #13 jersey ever made it to a World Series. Triskaidekaphobia and Sports

Origin Charms were originally words that were spoken or sung. Now, charms are considered magical objects that bring people good or bad luck.

Starting Point In 1952, at the beginning of the Stanley Cup playoffs, an octopus was thrown onto the ice by the Cussamano brothers who owned a fish market in the Detroit West Side. This was for good luck. The 8 legs of the octopus represent the 8 games the Detroit Redwings must win in order to capture the prestigious Stanley Cup.

Literary: When Tom Sawyer looses his lucky charm, a rattle snake bracelet, he refuses to go swimming. He thinks the bracelet protects him from cramps. Tom gives up fun because he is so superstitious. Religious: Religious medals are worn to bring protection or good luck to the person wearing the medal or charm. Connections

Athletes are a very superstitious bunch. They perform rituals before games to bring them luck. These rituals, traditions and superstitions make them feel comfortable before going into a game, brings teams together, or connects a team to past traditions. It is believed by many that when you perform well at anything, you want to do the same thing over again. So you duplicate what ever you did to try and obtain the same result, winning. Some baseball players don't share bats. They believe a single bat has only a predetermined amount of hits in it. Athletes have lucky caps, lucky shoes, and lucky shirts. Some won’t touch the foul line. some carry a rabbit’s foot, or wear medals.