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Number Symbolism for 3, 13, and 7, and 11:11

In horror, numbers can have different symbolic meanings. These meanings are often culturally

specific.

The number 3 in western culture can symbolize different things. 3 can symbolize the denial of

Christ or what Christ represents. In the Christian tradition, during the Last Supper, Christ turns to Peter

and says that Peter will deny Christ 3 times before the cock crows. Peter immediately denies that he

would ever deny his God. However, the Roman soldiers come later and arrest Christ. One of the soldiers

asks Peter if he knows Christ and Peter says no. Then, a bit later, another soldier comes back and asks

Peter if Peter knows the man (Christ) that the soldiers arrested. Peter again says no. Finally, a soldier

comes back one last time and asks Peter if he knew the man they arrested. As Peter says no for the final

(and third) time, he hears the rooster crow and Peter knows he has denied his God three times. Thus,

three becomes a bad omen or bad sign in western literature because 3 represents the denial of Christ.

For instance, since Christ represents love, goodness, mercy, humanity, grace, salvation, and a

connection to civilization, then if a character does something three times in literature, he or she could

be denying his/her connection to civilization, love, goodness, mercy etc. For instance, in The Descent,

Sarah stomps 3 times on the child monster’s face to kill it. Since 3 represents the denial of Christ or what

he represents, here Sarah can be seen as denying her connection to humanity or love or goodness etc.

This action could be seen then as Sarah’s first step towards becoming “other.”

Three is also associated with magic in western civilization. For instance, there is an expression in

English, “third time’s the charm.” It means, “third time and the spell is set.” Most people probably do

not know what it means when they say it. Often someone will try to do something once and fail. Then

they will try to do it a second time and fail. They will then try a third time and succeed. That’s when they

say, “Third time’s the charm.”

If you know the legend of Bloody Mary, one speaks into a mirror and says “Bloody Mary.” The

first time and second time they say her name, nothing happens. However, the third time they say her

name, Bloody Mary is called through the mirror and will kill them. The third calling of the name sets the

spell.

The final symbolic meaning of 3 can relate to the Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy

Ghost. In that context, 3 can symbolize something powerfully good or divine. However, in horror, three

is more likely to be connected to the idea of the denial of Christ than the Trinity.

So, pay attention to #3 in horror literature. Does a character do something 3 times? Does

something happen in 300 years or 3 hours or 3 minutes or 3 months? For instance, in “The Rats in the

Walls,” the narrator’s ancestor was the 3rd son; a tragedy happened 300 years before etc. In The

Descent, Sarah hits her head 3 times in the cave etc.

Also, pay attention to multiples of 3. For instance, 666 represents the Mark of the Beast which is

a symbol for Satan. In “The Rats in the Walls,” the narrator has 9 cats. Cats are already connected to the

power of the “other” and by using number symbolism, you can connect the cats to denial of civilization

etc. through denial of Christ.

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The number 13 in western culture is an unlucky or cursed number especially if it occurs on a

Friday. In general, 13 is seen as bad luck. The historical connection has to do with a massacre of Templar

knights across Europe that occurred on Friday, the 13. After that, Friday, the 13 became thought of an

unlucky day when bad things could happen.

The number 7 in western culture can also represent different things. 7 can be connected to

good luck re: lucky number 7. However, in horror, 7 is often connected to the idea of revelations. In the

Bible, the Book of Revelations, the number 7 is repeated a lot; therefore, 7 becomes connected to the

idea of revelation which means revealed truths or insights. So, if something happens 7 times, that could

be connected to the idea of revelations of supernatural knowledge etc. In “The Rats in the Walls,” the

narrator has seven servants; he goes down into the underground to explore with 6 other explorers – 7

explorers in total etc.

Jeremiah 11:11 – from the movie Us by Jordan Peele. It is a verse from the Bible: It is a message

from the Lord, “Therefore, thus, saith the Lord, “Behold, I will bring evil upon them which they shall not

be able to escape; and though they should cry unto me, I will not hearken unto them.” Basically, it

means that God will bring evil to people who will not be able to escape this evil. Then, when the people

cry out to God for help, God will not listen to them.” To see this number is to know that evil is coming

for you; there is no escape and God will not help you.

In Western culture, 11:11 is also connected to the idea of magic and good luck. People often

make a wish at 11:11 am or pm because 11:11 is considered a magical time. Seeing this number

everywhere can be considered a sign of spiritual awakening or that God is calling someone to some

higher purpose or that angels are nearby. 11 is a number associated with revelation as well as transition

– the 11th hour is the latest possible time you can do something before it is too late.