Across cultures, certain dates and numbers are believed to attract bad luck or special favor. Beyond Friday the 13th, global traditions mark days like Tuesday the 13th, Friday the 17th, and 4/4 as unlucky, while others champion eights, palindromic dates, and auspicious lunar moments. These beliefs don’t just live in folklore—they influence wedding bookings, travel plans, product launches, and even the scheduling of public observances.

Below, we define the major “unlucky” and “lucky” dates around the world, explain where the beliefs come from, and show how modern planners adapt to them.

What Makes a Date “Unlucky” or “Auspicious”?

Superstitions arise from a blend of language, religion, numerology, and history. A number may sound like a troubling word, fall on a fast day or memorial, align with unfavorable astrological patterns, or recall a storied disaster. Conversely, auspicious dates can mirror words for “prosperity,” align with sacred calendars, or reference meaningful numerological sequences.

• Linguistic echoes: In Chinese, the number 4 sounds like “death,” while 8 sounds like “prosperity.”
• Religious/historical associations: Friday gained somber associations in parts of Christian Europe; some Jewish and Islamic dates are reserved for mourning or reflection.
• Numerological patterns: Palindromes (e.g., 2/22/22) and repeated digits (8/8/08) are treated as symbolically powerful.

Unlucky Dates Around the World (Beyond Friday the 13th)

Friday the 13th (Western Europe, North America)

“Friday the 13th” is the most famous unlucky date in the English-speaking world. Explanations vary—from medieval Christian symbolism (a somber Friday plus the number 13, tied to the Last Supper’s guest count) to much later popular culture—but the modern anxiety is real enough that some hotels skip the 13th floor and several airlines omit a 13th row. The term triskaidekaphobia refers to fear of 13; a more specific label for this date is paraskevidekatriaphobia.

Do people behave differently on these Fridays? Some avoid major purchases, surgeries, or long drives. Event planners often see softer demand for venues and ceremonies, while marketers either steer clear of big launches or turn the superstition into a playful campaign.

Tuesday the 13th in Spain, Latin America, and Greece

In Spain and much of Latin America, martes 13 (Tuesday the 13th) is the notorious date. The saying goes, “En martes, ni te cases, ni te embarques, ni de tu casa te apartes”—on Tuesday, don’t marry, don’t embark, and don’t stray from home. Why Tuesday? In Spanish, Tuesday (martes) is linked to Mars, the Roman god of war—a day of conflict and misfortune.

In Greece, Tuesday also carries an ominous tone, in part connected with the fall of Constantinople, which tradition holds occurred on a Tuesday. As a result, some Greek couples avoid Tuesday weddings and some businesses take care with major decisions on that day.

Friday the 17th in Italy

Italy’s most unlucky date is often Friday the 17th. The reason is delightfully cryptic: rearranging the Roman numeral XVII can spell VIXI—Latin for “I have lived,” a phrase associated with death or the end of life. This linguistic twist, paired with Friday’s wider European somberness, shapes a local superstition strong enough that some Italian aircraft and hotels skip row or room number 17. If you’re planning an event in Italy, it’s wise to check guest comfort with this date.

East Asia’s 4/4 (and the weight of the number 4)

In Chinese, Japanese, and Korean contexts, the number 4 can sound like “death,” creating tetraphobia—aversion to the number itself. As a result, dates like 4/4 and room, floor, or unit numbers containing 4 are often avoided. You’ll find buildings that skip floors 4, 14, and 24; hospitals and maternity wards in some areas avoid 4-based numbering; and gift givers steer clear of sets of four.

Japan adds a nuance: the number 9 can also sound like “suffering” (ku), which is why 9-based dates or hospital room numbers may feel inauspicious. Meanwhile, the six-day rokuyō calendar used in Japan classifies days as auspicious or not, with Taian considered the luckiest and Butsumetsu the unluckiest—powerful drivers of wedding date selection there.

Other culturally sensitive dates

• Chinese lunar “Ghost Month” (7th lunar month): Many families avoid weddings, moving house, and major investments during this period when spirits are believed to roam. Conversely, once Ghost Month ends, demand for weddings and moves can spike.
• South Asia (Hindu calendars): In India and Nepal, auspicious muhūrta (time windows) are chosen for weddings and new ventures, while certain lunar days and planetary hours are avoided. “Akshaya Tritiya,” for instance, is widely seen as a highly fortunate day for weddings and gold purchases.
• Jewish calendar: Days of communal mourning such as Tisha B’Av (9th of Av) are avoided for celebrations, including weddings. Conversely, Tu B’Av is often viewed as auspicious for love and marriage.
• Islamic calendar: While Friday is a sacred day for prayer, many communities avoid weddings during the month of Muharram (a time of mourning). Practice varies by region and tradition.

Auspicious Dates People Seek

The power of 8s (and other lucky numbers)

In many Chinese-speaking communities, 8 symbolizes prosperity because it sounds like “wealth” or “to prosper.” That’s why 8/8, 8:08 p.m. ceremonies, and addresses with multiple eights are prized. The 2008 Beijing Olympics famously began on 8/8/08 at 8:08 p.m., illustrating how far high-profile planners go to honor auspicious symbolism.

Other lucky numbers include 6 (smooth progress) and 9 (longevity) in Chinese culture. Combinations like 6/6 and 9/9 attract weddings, openings, and contract signings.

Japan’s rokuyō: Taian triumphs

Japanese wedding planners and shrines often post rokuyō calendars. Taian is the best day for vows and launches; Butsumetsu is usually avoided. Couples will shift entire timelines to secure a Taian Saturday, and prices can fluctuate with demand.

Western favorites: June Saturdays and date patterns

In Europe and North America, June Saturdays remain perennial wedding favorites, tied to pleasant weather and the “June bride” tradition. Patterned dates—like 7/7/07, 10/10/10, 2/22/22, and palindromes—also cause booking surges at city halls and venues. Even without mystical beliefs, these dates are memorable and aesthetically pleasing on invitations.

How Superstitions Shape Real-World Decisions

Weddings and private events

Auspicious and inauspicious dates reshape demand calendars:

• Booking spikes: Lucky-number days (e.g., 8/8, 9/9) and Taian Saturdays can sell out months in advance. Some registry offices and banquet halls extend hours to handle the waves.
• Booking dips: Friday the 13th, Tuesday the 13th (in Spanish- and Greek-speaking communities), Ghost Month, and solemn religious observances see fewer weddings. Budget-conscious couples sometimes leverage the discount opportunities on these dates.
• Contract details: Planners may avoid table numbers with 13 or 4, swap “Table 13” for “Table 12A,” and time ceremonies to start at 6:18 or 8:08 for symbolic luck.

Travel and hospitality

• Airlines and trains: Several carriers omit a 13th row; some European airlines also skip row 17 to accommodate Italian travelers’ preferences. Flight numbers featuring multiple 8s or “lucky” sequences are not uncommon.
• Hotels and real estate: Many hotels skip the 13th floor; in parts of Asia, developers avoid floor numbers with 4 and premium-price levels with 8 and 9. Property values can reflect numerology in address numbers.
• Tour patterns: On dates considered unlucky locally, tour operators may see softer bookings or increased last-minute changes, while “lucky” holiday weekends fill early.

Public events, launches, and observances

Event organizers, from city officials to corporate PR teams, often factor cultural calendars into timing:

• Launch timing: Companies avoid unveiling flagships or IPOs during Ghost Month in Chinese markets or on Friday the 13th in Western markets, unless leveraging the theme intentionally.
• Commemorations: Memorial days and fast days are respected for solemnity; celebratory open-air festivals avoid them to encourage attendance and prevent cultural friction.
• Global coordination: International events account for overlapping calendars—lunar holidays, Ramadan, Passover, and local election days—so key audiences aren’t inadvertently excluded.

Regional Snapshots: Quick Reference

• Spain/Latin America: Tuesday the 13th (avoid weddings, big trips).
• Greece: Tuesday as inauspicious; Tuesday the 13th noted specifically.
• Italy: Friday the 17th; some planes/hotels skip 17.
• United States/UK: Friday the 13th; buildings skip floor 13.
• China/Hong Kong/Taiwan/Singapore: 4 is unlucky; 8 is lucky; Ghost Month avoidance.
• Japan: 4 and sometimes 9 avoided; rokuyō guides wedding days; Taian sought.
• South Asia: Hindu muhūrta selection; Akshaya Tritiya is favorable for weddings and purchases.
• Jewish communities: Avoid weddings on fast days; Tu B’Av is auspicious.
• Muslim communities: Respect for Ramadan and Muharram; local customs vary for weddings and festivities.

Planning Tips: A Practical Checklist

• Ask early: During discovery calls, invite clients or stakeholders to share any dates they wish to avoid or prefer.
• Consult local calendars: Cross-check lunar calendars, religious observances, and community festivals in target regions.
• Offer options: Present two or three date clusters: one neutral, one explicitly auspicious, and one value-driven (off-peak or “unlucky” discount).
• Mind the numbers: For seating, room assignments, and start times, be ready to re-label 4 or 13 (e.g., 12A, 12B) or use auspicious timing like 8:08 p.m.
• Communicate inclusively: If leaning into a theme (e.g., lucky 8s), celebrate the symbolism without alienating guests who don’t share the belief.
• Document decisions: Record the rationale for your date selection to align vendors, venues, and marketing teams.

Beyond Friday the 13th: A Balanced Perspective

Unlucky dates and auspicious days tap into powerful cultural stories. Whether you treat them as practical planning signals, meaningful traditions, or lighthearted themes, the best approach is respectful awareness. By asking the right questions and offering flexible options, couples, travelers, and organizers can honor beliefs, avoid friction, and sometimes even unlock better pricing and availability.

FAQ

Which countries consider Tuesday the 13th unlucky?

Spain, much of Latin America, and Greece commonly view Tuesday the 13th as inauspicious. In Spanish there’s a popular saying: “En martes, ni te cases, ni te embarques.”

Why is 17 unlucky in Italy?

The Roman numeral XVII can be rearranged to form VIXI, Latin for “I have lived,” which implies life has ended. This, paired with Friday’s solemn reputation, makes Friday the 17th particularly unlucky in Italy.

Is 4/4 really avoided in East Asia?

Yes, in many Chinese, Japanese, and Korean contexts, the number 4 sounds like “death,” so 4/4 and other 4-laden numbers are often avoided for weddings, hospital rooms, or apartment floors. Practices vary by region and generation.

Do airlines and hotels skip certain numbers?

Many do. It’s common to find hotels without a 13th floor, and some airlines omit row 13. In parts of Europe, carriers also skip row 17 to respect Italian sensitivities. In Asia, properties may avoid floors with 4 and highlight floors with 8 or 9.

What are universally lucky dates?

There are no truly universal lucky dates. However, 8s are often favored in Chinese-speaking communities, Taian days in Japan, and patterned dates (like 2/22/22) in Western contexts. Always check the local calendar and your audience’s preferences.

How do these beliefs affect wedding bookings?

Auspicious days tend to sell out quickly and command premiums, while “unlucky” dates can be easier to book and more affordable. Some couples embrace inauspicious dates for budget or availability reasons, while others plan far ahead to secure lucky days.

Should businesses avoid launches on Friday the 13th?

If your key market is sensitive to the superstition, avoiding that date can reduce anxiety. Alternatively, some brands embrace it with themed campaigns. Consider your audience, narrative, and risk tolerance before choosing.