> > > What I'd like to know is why the number thirteen went so quickly from being "Lucky 13" to the Unlucky version of its numerical being. :-) The cultural transition must have been very recent. You know, part of the symbols of the Great Seal of the United States has an eagle bearing 13 tail feathers, 13 arrows, 13 olives on an olive branch, etc. In fact I think there are thirteen 13's in the image itself. Strange, no?
> > >
> > > Wolfspirit
> >
> > I've always heard it was the number of people at the table at the Last Supper. I'm assuming the 13th was Judas.
> >
> > -Faux "I could be wrong." Pas
>
> The reason for 13 of each object on the great seal is that it stood for 13 states. Each state got it's own tail feather, olive, etc.
> Howard

That makes sense, if the symbols stood for the 13 original states of the union. I always get a HUGE kick out of seeing "Article XI" of the Articles of Confederation from 1778, given that it simultaneously talks so magnaminously -- and parochially -- about some colony called 'Canada,' heh heh.

But then I *still* don't understand why the number 13 would have lost so much favour by the 20th century!

Obviously, the American founders thought the representation of 13 was very significant and very good indeed, since they went to great pains designing a Great Seal that celebrated the original thirteen. They put 13 stars arranged in a hexagram inside a cloud of glory; 13 alternating red and white vertical stripes in the eagle's shield; the bundle of 13 arrows held in the eagle's talon dexter -- representing the force of war; and the olive branch with 13 leaves in the other talon, for the power of peace. FDR even went ahead and put the Great Seal on the one-dollar bill in 1935. So I can't see how a number which so many people felt assured was 'good' has now assumed the superstition of being quite unlucky. Judas' presence unbalancing the Twelve at the last supper? I don't know, that could possibly a recent explanation.