6 cursed numbers that have made a mark on history
Numbers have always held a special place in cultures around the world — symbols of luck, power, and sometimes, fear.
But what about those numbers that carry a darker legacy? From ancient tales to modern myths, certain digits have earned a reputation for bringing bad luck or even danger to those who encounter them.
Let’s take a closer look at seven instances where cursed numbers have made their mark in history.
1. The number 666
The number 666 holds a special spot in history and culture. It’s often called the “number of the beast.” This idea comes straight from the last book of the New Testament, the Book of Revelation.
In it, 666 is mentioned as the mark of a beast, an evil figure that appears in the text.
This part of the Bible is filled with symbols and hard-to-understand language, and over the years, people have tried to figure out what 666 really represents.
Some think it’s a code for a specific person or idea that was a threat to Christians back when the text was written.
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Over time, the cursed number 666 has popped up in all sorts of places and has become a shortcut for something evil or unlucky in stories. You’ve probably seen it in horror films where it’s used to amp up the scare factor.
This number’s influence isn’t just in fiction. It has made its way into real-life discussions and debates. This number has become so well-known that people often joke about it or avoid it.
Some folks look for 666 in dates or events, trying to connect it to bad omens or significant occurrences. Others might avoid it in phone numbers, license plates, or addresses.
2. The unlucky 13
The cursed number 13 carries a reputation for bad luck that’s hard to ignore.
This idea has roots stretching back centuries. Some stories say it started because there were 13 people at the Last Supper, with Jesus and his 12 disciples, and Judas, who betrayed Jesus, was the 13th to sit down.
Others think this cursed number goes even further back, to Norse mythology, where a dinner party for 12 gods was crashed by a 13th, uninvited guest, leading to chaos.
Because of its reputation, the number 13 is often left out on purpose in various places.
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Have you ever been in a tall building and noticed there’s no 13th floor? Instead, the floors jump from 12 to 14. It’s not because the builders couldn’t count — many people are just truly uneasy about the cursed number.
Many airlines and hotels join in on avoiding the number 13.
Next time you’re on a plane, take a look at the row numbers. You might notice that row 13 is missing. The same goes for some hotels, where you sometimes won’t find a room 13.
This practice is quite common in the United States, but it’s not just here — it happens around the world, showing just how widespread the superstition is.
3. The number 4
In many East Asian cultures, the number 4 is often avoided because it is considered unlucky.
This comes from the way the number sounds when spoken. In countries like Japan and China, the word for “four” sounds very similar to the word for “death.”
Because of this, many people in these cultures take steps to avoid the cursed number whenever they can, especially in situations related to health or long life.
One of the most noticeable ways this superstition affects daily life is in the design of buildings. Just like some buildings in the United States skip the 13th floor, it’s common to find buildings in Japan, China, and other East Asian countries that do not have a fourth floor.
Instead, the floors might go from the third to the fifth, or the fourth floor might be labeled as “F” or something else entirely. This practice isn’t limited to residential buildings — hospitals and hotels often avoid the number 4 as well, due to its association with bad luck and death.
The avoidance of the number 4 goes beyond just buildings. Some people might not want a phone number, license plate, or apartment number that contains the digit 4.
During important events like weddings or during the planning of important ventures, this cursed number is avoided to not invite misfortune.
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4. The number 9 in Thai culture
In Thailand, the number 9 is not all bad. Unlike some cultures that view certain numbers as purely unlucky, Thai culture sees the number 9 as having a dual nature.
On one hand, it’s considered very lucky because the word for “nine” in Thai sounds like the word for “progress” or “stepping forward.” This makes it a favorite number for many, associated with good luck and success.
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However, there’s another side to the number 9 in Thailand, where its meaning is connected to sorrow and loss.
This association isn’t as straightforward as the luck tied to its sound. Instead, it comes from historical events and the experiences of people over time.
In daily life, you’ll see the number 9 celebrated in many ways, such as people choosing it for house numbers, hoping to bring good fortune into their lives.
5. The 0888-888-888 phone number
Have you ever heard a story about a phone number that’s supposed to be cursed? It sounds like something out of a movie, but the phone number 0888-888-888 from Bulgaria is a real example.
This cursed number caught people’s attention because of its unusual pattern and the sad stories linked to it. Over the years, it was owned by several people, and, incredibly, each owner passed away under unexpected circumstances.
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These weren’t ordinary deaths — they were untimely and often tragic, which of course sparked rumors that the phone number itself was cursed.
Stories about it spread far and wide, making many people wary of any association with it. Imagine getting a call from that number — even if you didn’t know the stories, you’d probably wonder why there were so many eights.
Due to the negative attention surrounding this cursed number, the phone company chose to retire the number, which means it’s no longer in use and won’t be assigned to anyone else.
6. The mysterious case of 0911
Some numbers seem to cause more trouble than others. One such sequence that has raised eyebrows is 0911.
For tech experts, 0911 has come to be associated with glitches and unexpected issues in software and digital platforms. This might sound like something out of a sci-fi movie, but there are real instances where this sequence has caused a stir.
When this number appears in code, phone numbers, or even dates, things seem to go wrong. Software might crash, systems could behave unpredictably, or digital platforms might experience sudden failures.
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Some see it as a coincidence, a series of unrelated events that just happen to involve the same numbers. Others, however, wonder if there might be a deeper reason.
Efforts to rationalize these occurrences range from the practical to the theoretical.
Some suggest that it’s a matter of pattern recognition — humans are good at spotting patterns, even when they’re not there, leading us to connect dots that might not actually be related.
Others propose more technical explanations, like certain sequences inadvertently triggering bugs in code or interacting with systems in unexpected ways.
Have you had any bizarre cursed numbers experiences?
Tell us about any strange experiences you’ve had with cursed numbers in the comments below — the creepier the better!
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