World of fortune

By James Tong and Anna Yue April 2, 2025

Whether through 4th century BCE Greek philosopher Aristotle’s description of luck—irregular, incidental, indeterminable, unstable and capable of having good or evil effects—or by the 20th century debate on moral luck, the concept of fortune has varied across different cultures and historical periods, encapsulating each region’s unique values and traditions. Officially, Merriam-Webster defines luck as “a force that brings good fortune or adversity” and “favoring chance.” Thus, the superstitions and interpretations surrounding the idea of luck being good or bad typically are not grounded in science or logical reasoning but instead serve as beliefs that offer comfort and optimism in times of uncertainty.

Many cultures around the world tie different fortunes to numbers and dates. In Western culture, the number 13 is often associated with bad luck; some even consider triskaidekaphobia, the irrational fear of the number 13, to be a psychological disorder. Folklore historian Donald Dossey estimates 17 to 21 million people suffer from triskaidekaphobia, per NBC News. Western hotels and offices occasionally even skip the 13th floor. Although impossible to precisely pinpoint, the source of this discomfort is hypothesized to have been shaped over time in various culturally significant pieces, such as in the Bible where Judas, the 13th guest at the dinner table, betrayed Jesus. Notably, while negativity surrounds Friday the 13th in America, Spain fears Tuesday the 13th.

“Many of my hockey team teammates have their own ‘lucky’ number that they gravitate to for their jersey selection; although not culturally based, their tradition also serves a form of superstition,” Freshman Lucas Sutijono said. 

Meanwhile, the number four is also associated with a negative connotation in China. Due to the phonetic resemblance of the word death (si) in most Chinese dialects, locations highly sensitive to the topic of death—like hospitals—avoid the number, often omitting the fourth floor. Additionally, the number eight (ba) is viewed favorably by the culture for its similarity in sound to the Chinese word for creating wealth (fa). Other phonetic superstitions embedded in languages include the Japanese word for nine (ku) for its resemblance to the pronunciation of suffering (ku), while Fridays in Thai (Wan Suk) are well-liked because they sound like the word for enjoyment.

Color is also among the superstitions that correlate to tradition. Time Magazine reports that green became recognized as a lucky color in Ireland after the Great Irish Rebellion of 1641, where the rebels used a green flag to bring good omen. In ancient China, red became an auspicious color and has since then represented prosperity, per Smithsonian.

Beyond symbols and colors, many cultures incorporate lucky rituals into daily life or celebrations. During Lunar New Year, families exchange red envelopes filled with money in hopes of bringing wealth. Additionally, according to Vogue, eating grapes at the beginning of the New Year started as a Spanish lucky tradition in the early 1900s but is now practiced in many countries, especially with the influence of TikTok creators. So, although ancient traditions for luck continue, superstitions also evolve and adapt to modern trends.  

"As a very superstitious sports fan, my family has a tradition of wearing certain clothes and eating specific foods when supporting our team. While watching the Superbowl this year, we made sure to order specific wings to eat," Junior Kirin Gruenhagen said.

Furthermore, originating in Italy during the Renaissance, the Met reports that tarot cards have been used to anticipate fortunes and remain today, even becoming popular among modern Western cultures. Thus, over time, different cultures and their beliefs have blended together, creating waves of shared traditions, and many continue to influence individual routines.

Superstitions regarding good and bad luck vary across different practices, each reflecting diverse cultures and stories. For serious faith or lighthearted fun, these customs serve as a way for different cultures to bond; withstanding traditions of luck are a reflection of the long-lived values and creative traditions across the globe, whether viewed as a supernatural force or a chance.

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About the Contributors

James Tong is a writer for journalism. He enjoys collaborating with others and this is his first year in journalism. His hobbies include swimming, biking, hanging out with friends and listening to music.

Anna Yue is a page editor for Entertainment and Lifestyle and is a second-year Journalism student who has greatly enjoyed the class's collaborative process. She enjoys all sorts of food and loves cute fluffy animals. She loves sleeping and hanging out with friends.