42. Superstitions about Numbers

There are superstitions 1) attached to numbers; even those ancient Greeks believed that all numbers and their 2) multiples had some mystical significance.

Those numbers between 1 and 13 were in particular to have a powerful influence over the 3) affairs of men.

For example, it is commonly said luck, good or bad, comes in threes; if an accident happens, two more of the same kind may be expected soon afterwards. The arrival of a letter will be followed by two others within a certain period.

Another belief 4) involve the number three has it that it is unlucky to light three 5) cigarettes from the one match. If this happens, the bad luck that goes with the deed falls upon the person whose cigarette was the last to be lit.

Seven was another 6) significant number, usually regarded as a bringer of good luck. The ancient astrologer(占星家) believes that the universe was governed by seven 7) planets, students of Shakespeare will recall that the life of man was divided into seven ages. Seven horseshoes 8) nailed to a house will protect it from all evil.

Nine is usually thought of as a lucky number because it is the product of three times three.

Another belief was that great changes occur every 7th and 9th of a man’s life. Consequently, the age of 63 was thought to be a very perilous time for him. If he survived his 63rd year he might hope to 9) live a ripe old age.

Thirteen , as we well know, is regarded with great awe(畏惧，敬畏)and fear. The common belief is that this 10) derive from the fact that there were 13 people at Christ’s Last Supper. This being the eve of his betrayal, it is not difficult to understand the significance given to the number by the early Christians.