Il numero 17 (diciassette)

Cultura e curiosità

Did you know that the number 17 is considered unlucky in Italian, especially when it falls on a Friday?

There are a number of theories as to why:

• According to some, it is because 17 lacks the mathematical perfection of 16 and 18.

• Others argue that the number 17 in Latin means vixi, which translates to “I have lived,” which is considered back luck because it implies that one is now dead.

• The 17th is also considered an unlucky day because of the Bible since the great flood began on the 17th day of the 2nd month.

In the US, we have a superstition around Friday the 13th, but in Italy Friday the 17th is their equivalent (which, I just noticed, occurred on 17 January 2025).

Check out this post on Instragram that goes over the symbolism of 17, Friday, and 13.

The next Friday the 17th in 2025 occurs in October!