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Arithmophobia or mathematics anxiety is anxiety disorder, involving fear of dealing with numbers or mathematics. Believe it or not, it is pretty common.
According to https://www.healthline.com:
While it might sound like a new phobia, a fear of numbers or math is very common. One survey of one thousand one hundred and nineteen people with children ages six to sixteen years in the United Kingdom reported that eighty-four percent felt that math was a critical subject, essential to overall success. However, of that group, roughly a third felt like they couldn’t help their children with math homework. Additionally, nineteen percent of the respondents were unwilling to take courses to improve their math competency, and fifty-two percent were likely to make errors when helping children with their math homework. It’s important to note that not much data is available on this topic, and more research is needed. This particular study was conducted by the research center of a for-profit organization. While we know it’s common to have anxiety around math and numbers ― the exact figure is unknown. Anxiety during math class is one example of arithmophobia. Fear of specific numbers, like the number thirteen, can cause people to avoid events, buildings, and other scenarios because they’re viewed as unlucky or dangerous. Experts suggest that similar to other phobias, arithmophobia might be caused by previous traumatic events. For example, someone who had difficulties in math class as a child may have developed this response. Likewise, a person who has traumatic memories associated with studying math (such as a parent who harshly punished their child for getting low scores in math classes) may be more likely to experience arithmophobia. A mental health professional may recommend cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy as treatment options. They allow you to slowly increase your interactions with numbers while also relearning how to approach them.
There are two types of arithmophobia: generalized arithmophobia and fear of specific numbers. Generalized arithmophobia is a fear of all numbers. Fear of specific numbers can be associated with cultural and religious factors. For example, 666 are 3 numbers combined that represent the antichrist in the bible. In China, Vietnam, and Japan, 4 is a number that represents death. In many cultures the number 13 is also an unlucky number which people fear. These fears in numbers make it difficult for people to perform well in professional and educational settings.
Fears of specific numbers
- Tetraphobia – fear of 4 (four)
- Triskaidekaphobia – fear of 13 (thirteen)
- Heptadecaphobia – fear of 17 (seventeen)
- 23 enigma (eikositriophobia) – fear of 23 (twenty-three)
- Curse of 39 (triakontenneaphobia) – fear of 39 (thirty-nine)
- Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia – fear of 666 (six hundred sixty-six)
Fear of large numbers
Meganumerophobia is the fear of large numbers, like millions, billions, trillions, etc. Meganumerophobes do not fear lower, more imaginable numbers. To some sufferers, high numbers represent eternity. Sufferers of apeirophobia may fear meganumerophobia as well.
How about superstitions connected to numbers?
Breaking a mirror is said to bring seven years of bad luck
Certain numbers:
- The number 4. Fear of the number 4 is known as tetraphobia; in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean languages, the number sounds like the word for “death”.
- The number 9. Fear of the number 9 is known as enneaphobia, in Japanese Culture; this is because it sounds like the Japanese word for “suffering”.
- The number 13. Fear of the number 13 is known as triskaidekaphobia.
- The number 17. Fear of the number 17 is known as heptadecaphobia and is prominent in Italian culture.
- The number 39. Fear of the number 39 is known as the curse of 39, especially in Afghan culture.
- The number 43. In Japanese Culture, maternity wards numbered 43 are considered taboo, as the word for the number means “stillbirth.”
- The number 666. Fear of the number 666 is known as hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia. Per Biblical prophecy, the “Number of The Beast”, signifies the return of the Devil and Antichrist. Also called the “Mark of the Beast”, wherein all humans who consent to have it on their forehead or hand will be eternally damned. Many people will avoid anything that contains 666, such as flights, hotel room numbers, or even phone numbers.
Friday the 13th (in Spain, Greece, and Georgia: Tuesday the 13th
When it comes to buying a home, many people pay close attention to house numbers, especially in cultures deeply rooted in Vastu and numerology. The unluckiest house number is often believed to bring negative energy, financial instability, or personal struggles to its residents. In simple terms, the unluckiest house number is a number that, based on numerological or Vastu principles, is thought to carry bad vibrations or inauspicious influences. In India and among NRIs, there is a growing interest in selecting the “right” number. As awareness increases, homebuyers are now more mindful of what their house number may mean for their future.
In numerology, there are no unlucky numbers generally speaking but some numerologist would argue that Karmic Numbers can be a problem an should be avoided in such instances as destination numbers, air travel numbers and even highway routes. Those numbers are 13, 14, 16, and 19.
List of Unluckiest House Numbers
Unluckiest house number vastu can bring negative house number vibrations and disrupt the energy alignment of house numbers, affecting the overall harmony and numerological impact on home and its occupants.
- Number 4: Considered a karmic house number, it often brings challenges by disrupting the energy alignment of house numbers in a home.
- Number 6: Generally positive, but can cause emotional burdens if energy is unbalanced.
- Number 8: Symbolizes material power, ambition, karmic intensity. Powerful but intense; in Indian numerology ruled by Saturn (Shani), it brings lessons and struggles.
- Number 9: Stands for endings, spiritual completion, transformation however, in East Asia, “9” can sound like suffering in Japanese—also linked to completions that may restrict new beginnings
- Number 13: Known for negative house number vibrations, this number can affect the house’s spiritual balance and emotional well-being.
- Number 14: According to Vastu Shastra house number analysis, this number may cause obstacles and hinder positive growth.
- Number 17: This number suggests struggles that can disturb the peace and success within a home.
- Number 19: Linked to superstitions in home buying, it may bring emotional stress and unpredictable outcomes.
- Number 22: This number’s spiritual energy is believed to cause instability, impacting harmony and happiness.
- Number 27: Known as a karmic house number, 27 can bring unresolved issues and emotional strain.
- Number 34: May lead to discomfort and restlessness, often considered inauspicious in traditional beliefs.
- Number 44: Can block prosperity and happiness, especially when not aligned with positive numerology principles.
- Number 49: Superstitions in home buying associate 49 with bad luck, causing difficulties in creating a peaceful living environment.
To calculate a house number –
Step 1: Identify the main house number: Use only the numbers in your street address (e.g., 256 or 47A – ignore letters for now).
Step 2: Add all digits together: For example, 2 + 5 + 6 = 13. If the result is double digits, continue reducing.
Step 3: Reduce to a single digit: Take 13 from the previous step: 1 + 3 = 4. Your house number is 4.
Step 4: Ignore apartment or unit numbers: Use only the building number, not the flat or unit number (e.g., in 12B/45 – use 45 only).
Step 5: Interpret the number: Use a numerology calculator for house number to explore its meaning and energy influence.
In the UK, top 10 unlucky house numbers: 88, 80, 68, 91, 96, 13, 73, 79, 77, 78, 83, 87 and 98. Number 88 could be the most unlucky, since this house number has the worst record in terms of burglaries, fires and flooding. According to https://www.akaclaims.co.uk/
In a world where the majority of people don’t identify themselves as particularly superstitious, it’s astounding just how much impact superstitions about numbers can have on the economy. It may be shocking to learn that businesses lose almost a billion dollars each time the 13th of the month just happens to fall on a Friday.
Coincidence or not?
Resources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Numerophobia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_bad_luck_signs
https://www.nobroker.in/blog/unluckiest-house-number/