“UNLUCKY” THIRTEEN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19364, 22 July 1925, Page 7

“UNLUCKY” THIRTEEN

REMARKABLE SEQUENCE. The superstitious significance of the number 13 is, of course, religious in its origin, the principal event which gave rise to it being the Last Supper, at which thirteen were present. The fact spread through Europe when the minds of the people were peculiarly receptive of superstitions. By many odd numbers arc believed to bring luck, but they make an exception of thirteen. This appears inconsistent. The number 13 played a curious part in the life of Richard Wagner. He was born in 1813. The numerals of the year of his birth added together make thirteen, and he was given a name, the letters of which, added to those of his family name, also make thirteen. The famous composer finished “The Flying Dutchman” on September 13th, 1841. and completed “Tannhauser” on April 13th, 1844. The scoring of “Das Rheingold” was concluded on May 13th, 1854, and that of “Parsifal” on January 13th, 1882. Wagner was exiled from Germany for thirteen veal’s, and realised his fondest ambition of giving his own operas in Paris with a production of “Tannhauser” on March 13th, 187(5, while the first performance of “The Ring” complete, at Bayreuth, was given on August. 13th, 1876. Thirteen was the number of complete' operas composed by Wagner, whose* death to complete the remarkable numerical sequence—occurred on February 13th, 1883.