Fear of the number 17 (heptadekaphobia)

Heptadekaphobia is a fear of the number 17. Someone with this fear might avoid plans on the 17th, refuse room or seat 17, or feel uneasy whenever the number turns up. It works much like fear of 13 does in the UK, just centred on a different number.

About this phobia

The name comes from the Greek for seventeen, built from hepta, seven, and deka, ten. The fear is rooted in superstition and is best known in Italy, where 17 is traditionally seen as unlucky. It is a cultural belief rather than a clinical term, and is closely related to triskaidekaphobia, the fear of 13.

How it shows up

Many people have a lucky or unlucky number without it changing much. With heptadekaphobia, 17 can bring a real sense of dread, so a booking on the 17th, a seat in row 17 or a bill of 17 pounds might feel like a bad sign. Friday the 17th is a particular worry for some, in the same way Friday the 13th is for others. When it shapes choices and brings genuine anxiety, it has moved beyond a bit of fun.

Common triggers

• Friday the 17th
• Room, seat or house number 17
• Prices or totals of 17
• Dates in a month falling on the 17th
• Being 17th in a queue or list
• The Roman numeral XVII

Where it shows up

• Hotels and flights
• Calendars and diaries
• Shops and tills
• Travel in Italy, where 17 is sometimes skipped
• Exams or interviews booked on the 17th

Symptoms

In your body

• Uneasy stomach
• Restlessness
• Tight chest
• Sleeping badly before the date

In your mind

• Sense of looming bad luck
• Linking the number to past bad events
• Magical thinking

What you might do

• Moving plans away from the 17th
• Asking to change seats or rooms
• Adding items to avoid a total of 17
• Checking dates often

What may cause it

The fear is rooted in Italian tradition, where 17 has long been seen as unlucky. One explanation often given is that the Roman numeral XVII can be rearranged to spell VIXI, Latin for I have lived, which was linked with death. People raised with the superstition, or who had something bad happen on the 17th, may feel it more strongly. Avoiding the number brings relief, which helps the habit stick.

How it can affect your life

For most it is a mild nuisance, but for some it can mean reshuffling work, travel or family events. It may cause stress around certain dates each month. Living or working somewhere the number is common can be tiring.

Related fears

• Fear of the number 13 (triskaidekaphobia)
• Fear of Friday the 13th (paraskevidekatriaphobia)
• Fear of the number 4 (tetraphobia)
• Fear of the number 666 (hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia)

Things that can help day to day

• Keep a note of what actually happens on the 17th each month
• Say the number out loud a few times a day until it feels dull
• Let one small plan go ahead on the 17th
• Talk about the superstition with friends to take the sting out of it

When to get help

If avoiding the number is taking over daily choices or causing real distress, a GP can talk it through and refer you for support. Strong urges to check or avoid can sometimes link to OCD, for which good help is available.

Explore more unusual fears in the rare phobias A to Z, or browse the common phobias.

About me

Common questions

Why is 17 unlucky in Italy?

In Roman numerals 17 is XVII, which can be rearranged into VIXI, Latin for I have lived, a phrase that hints at death. Over time this became a widely shared superstition. For most people it is a mild habit, but for a few it can cause real anxiety.

How can you help?

I use hypnotherapy and NLP to change how your mind responds to the thing you fear, so the old alarm stops going off. Sessions are one to one over Zoom, and you get a recording of the hypnosis to listen to afterwards.

How many sessions will I need?

Many clients notice a real difference after one 90 minute session. If the fear goes back a long way, three sessions gives us room to make the change stick.

Further reading: Heptadecaphobia, Wikipedia

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