Friday the 13th – A look at a silly superstition

It is traditionally believed that Eve tempted Adam with the apple on a Friday. Combine this bit of tradition with numerologists believing that 12 is a complete number. There are 12 months in a year, 12 signs of the zodiac, 12 gods of Olympus, 12 labors of Hercules, 12 tribes of Israel, and 12 apostles of Jesus. In exceeding 12 by 1, 13's association with bad luck has to do with just being a little beyond completeness.

How far will society go to avoid the number 13? Some facts for your amusement:

- More than 80% of high-rises lack a 13th floor.

- Many airports skip the 13th gate.

- Airplanes have no 13th aisle.

- Hospitals and hotels regularly have no room number 13.

- Italians omit the number 13 from their national lottery.

- On streets in Florence, Italy, the house between number 12 and 14 is addressed as 12 and a half.

- Many cities do not have a 13th Street or a 13th Avenue

- In France, socialites known as the quatorziens (fourteeners) once made themselves available as 14th guests to keep a dinner party from an unlucky fate.

- Many triskaidekaphobes (those who fear the number 13) point to the ill-fated mission to the moon, Apollo 13.

- If you have 13 letters in your name, you will have the devil's luck . Jack the Ripper, Charles Manson, Jeffrey Dahmer, Theodore Bundy and Albert De Salvo all have 13 letters in their names.

So let me assure you that the FAMs respect the number 13. We promise to not tempt you with apples, though we may have apples on our fabulous handmade items. We are a group comprised of over 120 members (10 new members are pending! :o). And we are dedicated to bringing the best of a variety of handmade wares to your door!

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