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my different love for unlucky numbers

May 25, 2026

I didn’t really know 4 was considered unlucky until I was like 13.

Apparently, the number 4 is considered bad luck primarily in Japan, China, Taiwan, and Korea.

In a linguistic sense though since 4 in their language nearly sounds like “death”

Culturally, it’s been adapted nation-wide to the point where elevators, license plates, and planes avoid having the number 4!

It may be painted as death to them but to me, #4 holds something special in my heart.

Actually, a lot of unlucky numbers do!

It started when I was around 7 years old.

I was beginning to play soccer/football at that time thanks to my baby brother.

He told me with sparkling eyes and big grin on his face,

“Ate, ate! My favorite number is 4 so that’s my jersey number”

And from that moment on, #4 stuck with me.

In my old school, the jersey number I chose instantly was #4.

And it was as if fate had opened its arms, my two bestest friends’ jersey numbers were #13 and #9.

Quick cultural and superstition fact!

The #13 is considered bad in luck in the US since there were 13 disciples during The Final Supper before Jesus was arrested
The famous date Friday the 13th is famous in Western culture for being considered a day of bad luck
In Norse mythology, Loki (the Norse god of chaos and mischief) was the 13th guest during a dinner in Valhalla which created an imbalance for the 12 gods already present
In Japan, the #9 in Japanese or “ku” (苦) sounds exactly like their word for pain or agony
In Aztec lore, it is said that there are 9 levels of the underworld, deeming the number unlucky and scary
The classical music superstition called, “The Curse of the Ninth” suggested that composers who have written 9 symphonies will be unable to complete their 10th (e.g. Beethoven who passed in between the time of after premiering his Symphony No. 9 and before creating a Tenth)

I digress, little did I know that the three of us would be a band of 3 girls whose jersey numbers are associated with bad luck!

For the 8 years we we shared our friendship, we had our numbers as nicknames :)

Now that we’re slightly older and in different schools, we still call each other as such.

It’s endearing and I find that it’s something unique within our friendship.

So from then on, I think of #13 and #9 with smiles on my faces knowing those are correlated with the two people who hold a special place in my soul.

I notice as well, every time I type or write, if I exclaim, I put four exclamation points!!!! Or an ellipses with an extra period for good measure.

Even during online class when we have breakout rooms, always #13.

Literally my name, L-I-L-Y, four letters! My two schools’ acronyms, 4 letters, my clubs’ acronyms, always 4 letters!

The #4 has been inducted into my life more than ways than one and honestly?

I couldn’t have been more happier.

I found out something about myself that makes me unique.

Not only my personality, voice, or looks, but ME.

I never realized I was this deeply associated with unlucky numbers until I saw a pattern!

However, I do know that the view on these numbers vary based on culture.

From the outside it seems like these numbers would bring me bad luck but in reality, they’ve done nothing but show me love and truth.

With friends, family, and of course, myself.

And I love self-discovery just as much as I love the #4.

Author’s Note:

My semester just started and work is already piling up but regardless, we will persevere! May everyone stay safe in these trying times and may you all find peace. Mwah!

Thank you as well to all my subscribers, supporters, and readers.

Your support means so much to me :)