The number 13 is supposed to be unlucky since the dawn of time, and marriage is a very old tradition, as well. If you ask historians what came first, the presupposition that 13 is an unlucky number or the institution of marriage, you would not get a clear answer.
Since marriage and especially weddings always relate to numerology and astrology (god forbid you to marry on a wrong date under a wrong zodiac sign), this question popped up in our minds one evening. Thus, we couldn’t leave it without an answer.
But before we look into the 13th year of marriage, let’s examine what makes the number 13 so unlucky in the minds of most people. Is it just an old belief, or are there some scientifically proven facts?
What Is So Special About This Supposedly Wicked Number?
First of all, 13 is a prime number, which means it can only be divided by 1 or itself (resulting in 1). Prime numbers, in general, have always been assigned a special status, as well as unique meaning. For example, 3 is a mystical and a good number in many cultures, including Christianity, Judaism, etc.
As for 13, the folkloric essence of this number has always been striking and strong. One of the theories why this figure has such significant importance is because of the existence of lunar months and their relationships to the solar years.
Within one solar year, there are almost 12 and a half lunations or lunar months. It means that within one year, there are 12 full and complete months plus a crooked, incomplete one. It supposedly gave 13 a bad image in opposition to 12, as can be seen in Western society.
Historians love to theorize how 13 became so infamous. They wonder how we came to excluding the 13th floor from tall buildings, never inviting 13 guests, and avoiding pretty much everything associated with 13. Here the most popular of their theories.
The Last Supper
When Jesus Christ’s last supper was taking place, there were 13 people behind the table, namely Jesus Christ and 12 apostles. Many think that since the 12th apostle that was the 13th person to sit behind the table, and Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus Christ, the number 13 became thought of as unlucky (at least in Christianity).
Knights Templar
On Friday 13th October 1307, the Knights Templar were arrested under the direction of King Philip IV of France. They were all tortured and brutally murdered, which may be the reason why Friday 13th started to be so infamous.
Hammurabi’s Code
A legend exists that the earliest reference to the number 13 being unlucky, vile, and evil could be found in the Babylonian texts, specifically, Code of Hammurabi. It was written around 1780 BC. In that scripture, it is said that the 13th law was omitted.
Is the 13th Year of Marriage Any Different from Other Years?
Now that we are much more aware of the roots of the “evil” number 13, we can move onto the main question of whether the 13th year of marriage has anything bad associated. Our findings may surprise you.
As seen on Hopes and Fears, in the Western world, the biggest rate of divorces happens in the 13th year of marriage only in two countries, in Canada (13.8 years) and France (exactly 13 years). However, that is absolutely it.
Yes, most of the countries approach this number with actually having the biggest divorce rates on the 11th and 12th years of marriage. Only one country tops this list, and it is Italy with divorces after 18 years of marriage. Still, nothing conclusive can be taken out of any such statistics.
It is quite surprising to see that most couples that divorce do it after living for at least a decade together, but it does not concern the number 13 whatsoever. Some believe that this trend is actually tied to the other 7-year itch, namely the 12-year one, according to the Daily Mail.
However, divorce is always an ugly and complicated matter. Saying that these marriages fell apart only because of some 12-year itch is like throwing darts at a mosquito. The fact that a lot of people divorce nearing the 13th year of marriage points to some chronic problems in their relationships that develop over time.
In any case, the number 13’s place in the highest rates of divorce is most likely a simple coincidence. A decade is enough to fall in love and lose this feeling if both partners don’t make efforts to maintain their marriages. So, no bad luck involved, but bad decisions.
How to Avoid This “Bad Luck”
You can avoid this horrible outcome by examining your own marriage and relationship with your spouse. Maybe, you have stopped giving the same amount of attention to your partner as you used to. Or maybe, the kids are taking away the valuable time you would like to spend with your significant other.
When it comes to human relationships, everything is in our hands. It is us who can make up wonderful relationships, it is us who can completely demolish them, and it is us who can let it all slip away by not maintaining the relationships.
Instead of being afraid of the number 13, you should take charge of the situation in your marriage and relationship between you and your spouse. If you are in your 13th year of marriage, you can consider gifting something meaningful to your beloved just because it is a win-win act.
Here are some great gift ideas you can note specifically for the 13th anniversary. This list created by GiftWits will help you to choose the right present for your better half, so make sure to check it out here.
Life Is What You Make of It
So, to answer the question: “Is the 13th year of marriage unlucky?” No, it is not unlucky in any way. Your 13th year of marriage is what you and your partner make of it.
Why look at it in terms of lucky/unlucky? Just try your best to make all the next years in marriage happy by showering each other with love and gifts.
