Friday the Thirteen

 Friday the Thirteen

     In the West, some people are superstitious on the number 13. In Myanmar some people of upper Myanmar from cities such as Meiktila, Kyatpadaung ---etc  are also superstitious on the number 9.

They never go out 9 people together in a group because they think they will face an accident and even death. There was a traditional belief that minor gods in that area never allow to go 9 people. That thinking has been spreading among Myanmar. I remembered one Myanmar delegation trip in Quanzho. They were 9 people.  When the plane was delayed at the Quanzho airport, one of them noticed that they were 9 people. One said; Quanzho - koe kyan . It sounds like rhyme in Myanmar language and it means 9 people were left in Quanzho. Their superstition made them had goose-bump. There were two among them had to go back for duty next day. They arranged to go back Myanmar in time by other plane. Then the rest of seven followed with two and came back. Anyway, they were happy escaping from the 9. I would like to share about our people how to make escape from number 9. In Myanmar if they have to go 9 people in a group they pick up one small gravel from the road to accompany with them and they named Mg Kyat Khe ( Mr.  Gravel).
So the group becomes 10 people.

     In the West, superstition on the number 13 was started since Jesus was crucified on the cross. I read in a book written by Ambassador U Pe Thein Tin.

When Judas became His disciple, there were 13 people in the group of Jesus and his disciples. At that time Jesus was crucified on the cross. From that time on, a number 13 became an unlucky number among western culture.

      All numbers are good if you look from the positive point of view. Here, I confess I am not always a positive thinker. In my point of view, I like number 13. If there were no number 13,  there will not be Easter Sunday.  It depends on the point of view and belief and conviction of the people.

     Friday the thirteen movie is famous around the world. Generations of these decades are influenced by this movie when they were young. When they grow up, they realized that it is just a movie story. But, they still loved to see it on T.V.

Enjoy your Friday the Thirteen.

jujulay.