What is the fear of the number 666 called?
According to the Bible, the number 666 is considered the number of the Beast.
A phobia accompanied by fear of the number 666 is called hexakosiohexekontahexaphobia (ICD 10 code - F40.8). Just like the fear of the number 13, the disease is rooted in religion, and therefore by some experts it is classified as a group of far-fetched prejudices.
Triskaidekaphobia
The date Friday the 13th evokes superstitious horror among many people.
The fear of the “devil’s dozen”, characteristic of the peoples of Western culture, has recently begun to penetrate into our country. What are the origins of these superstitious fears? There are many possible explanations. Some associate it with facts from the Bible. According to some sources, the temptation in the Garden of Eden took place on Friday the 13th. The first fratricide on earth also happened on this unfortunate date. In addition, Judas, who betrayed Jesus, was his 13th disciple. According to popular beliefs, the number thirteen is called the “devil’s dozen” because twelve witches usually fly to the Sabbath, and the evil one himself appears after them. From a historical point of view, the phenomenon of Friday the thirteenth is explained by the mass arrests and executions of the Knights Templar, which took place on October 13, 1307. Thus, the origin of superstition is still unknown, but this does not stop it from existing. In the USA, Great Britain, Italy and Germany, people try not to undertake any important trips or business on such a Friday.
The number 13 is often abandoned in elementary numbering. For example, in America you most likely will not find the 13th room in a hotel, the 13th floor in a skyscraper, or the 13th gate at an airport. In addition, the inventors of computer viruses at one time often launched their programs on the thirteenth. However, psychologists consider fear of the number 13 and, in particular, of Friday the 13th, a separate type of phobia. It's called triskaidekaphobia.
This phobia is characterized mostly by self-hypnosis. A person who is sure that something unpleasant is bound to happen to him on Friday the 13th subconsciously programs himself for misfortune. Experts believe that if people did not focus on this particular date, it would pass more calmly.
www.skazka.com.ru
Reasons for the development of pathology
The fear of the number 666 originates in the Bible, the Revelation of St. John the Theologian (chapter 13). It was there that numbers that were completely harmless until that time were assigned an ominous meaning - they became the “number of the beast,” a harbinger of the apocalypse and the appearance of Satan. This was explained quite simply. Numbering in alphabetical order and subsequent addition of the letters included in the name Satan gave exactly this result.
A more rare interpretation of the number of the beast is the version of the triple renunciation of God. According to the information contained in the Bible, it took 6 days to create the world. People had to work six days and devote the seventh day to serving God. The number 666 in this context is interpreted as a threefold renunciation of God.
Patients suffering from the described disorder are sure that the number 666 symbolizes evil, and they do not perceive any arguments proving the opposite.
In China, the number 6 is a symbol of happiness, and therefore the number 666 is associated exclusively with benefits and pleasure.
It is worth noting that the fear of the number 666 does not always develop against the background of religious fanaticism. In some cases, the pathology may be a consequence of obsessive-compulsive disorder. This can be evidenced by:
- the habit of closely examining any numbers encountered - numbers in car license plates, travel coupons, receipts, documentation;
- the appearance of panic fear when the desired combination is discovered;
- carrying out “saving” rituals.
Moreover, an inexplicable fear of the number 666 may be part of a schizophrenic delusion, and therefore, when diagnosing a phobia, it is necessary to exclude more serious mental disorders.
Causes of the disease
The unpronounceable phobia got its name in Greece. Translated from this language, hexakosioyhexekontahexaphobia is “irrational fear of 666.” Like the fear of the “ominous” number 13, this pathological condition comes from religion, because three sixes are directly related to the devil. Pathological fear 666 arose as a result of Revelation from the bible, which mentions Satan.
The book says that a creature with satanic characteristics has a name associated with three sixes. The letters of the alphabet are folded in such a way as to create the universally recognizable hidden meaning of the three sixes, hinting at the devil.
In turn, the combination of these numbers gave rise to fear of failure, ominous events and even a meeting with Satan.
However, the reason is not always a purely religious aspect. There are often cases when this is due to improper parenting. People prone to superstitions often instill fear in their children of this number, just as they do of Friday the 13th and other absurd things. As a result, older offspring begin to avoid 666 and other numbers, and the phobia progresses.
Hexakosioyhexekontahexaphobia can be instilled in a child by parents
Symptoms
Systematic viewing of horror films with mysticism and demons can develop a fear of the number 666
Hexakosioyhexekontahexaphobia can manifest itself in different ways: causeless aggression, panic attacks, fainting. All this can be observed in people suffering from this phobia.
The trigger for the appearance of unpleasant symptoms can be anything - a movie watched, a book read, documentation with corresponding serial numbers, car license plates.
People suffering from hexakosiohexekontahexaphobia are in constant search of frightening numbers in order to prevent the dangers associated with them.
Under the influence of fear, patients try to limit their living space, stop leaving the house, narrow their social circle, work from home, avoid crowded places, ultimately ending up in complete isolation.
Against the background of hexakosiohexekontahexaphobia, other phobias can develop - fear of open space, social phobia, etc.
Particular fears are caused by the so-called messages from the Beast - a book opened to the corresponding page, a car encountered on the road with sixes in the license plate. There are known cases of suicide among those who received such a letter in order to avoid meeting the devil. Naturally, all this happened in the last stages of the disease.
Manifestations of phobia
A few days before date X, a person begins to experience anxiety and restlessness. The closer the date, the stronger the fear. Triskaidekaphobe flinches at any rustle, door slam, or phone call. He tries to become invisible, moves around the house as quietly as possible, and does not go outside. The patient refuses to prepare food (he is afraid that using electricity or gas will result in tragedy), tries not to move at all, not to touch anything.
Noticeable somatic manifestations of phobia:
- nausea;
- vomit;
- dizziness;
- feeling of a lump in the throat;
- throat spasm;
- dyspnea;
- shiver;
- chills;
- tremor of the limbs;
- cold sweat;
- gastrointestinal disorder;
- convulsions;
- tachycardia.
If it is necessary to leave the house, if the patient is forcibly removed, he may experience a panic attack or fainting. Other triskaidekaphobes become inadequate and can cause harm to others.
At the behavioral, emotional and psychological level, fear of the number 13 develops gradually. The first signs include the following:
- a person avoids buses with number 13, trams with the same number, houses, etc.;
- a person never chooses 13 seats in cinemas, airplanes, other halls and lounges;
- on this day a person refuses shopping, dating, going to new places;
- on this day the individual leaves all important matters for later, tries to be almost inactive;
- the person does not drive;
- The individual attributes any failures on this day to the machinations of the devil, a fatal number, and completely denies his responsibility and involvement.
If you notice such manifestations in yourself or someone you know, it is recommended to consult a psychologist. At an early stage, the disease can be cured quickly and easily.
How is the treatment carried out?
At appointments with a psychiatrist, the doctor teaches hexakosiohexekontahexaphobes to perceive numbers through logic and reason, and not through emotions
Psychiatrists and psychotherapists are involved in the treatment of hexacosiohexecontagexaphobia, as well as the diagnosis of this pathology. Patients are taught to step through frightening circumstances. Fear in this case is presented not as weakness, but as the body’s natural reaction to stimuli, which are numbers.
Pathological hexakosiohexekontahexaphobia, accompanied by constant fear and disruption of social interactions, requires immediate treatment within the walls of a medical institution. Self-medication in this case is unacceptable due to the fact that it can significantly aggravate the situation.
In general, treatment is aimed at developing immunity to numbers and developing the management of one’s own emotions through auto-training. This is explained by the fact that fear of numbers is considered an existential fear and is associated with a lack of knowledge in this area.
Doctors teach people to influence their own fears through reason and logic.
Causes of triskaidekaphobia
Most often, fear is associated with belief in mysticism. People are sure that on this day witches gather for a Sabbath, and evil spirits calmly walk around the cities. Patients believe that something bad will definitely happen on this day; failures follow them at every step.
The obsessive thoughts that haunt a person with a phobia are similar to manifestations of OCD. Often it is this disorder that develops as a complication. To protect themselves and relieve anxiety, patients come up with rituals, protective amulets, amulets, etc. Patients try not to leave the house on the 13th or do not get out of bed at all. Other people susceptible to pathology wear special clothing or perform actions that supposedly protect them.
Reasons for demonizing the number 13
Psychologists have still not come to a consensus on the reasons for the demonization of the number 13. It is assumed that this began in the 19th century due to a combination of several prejudices. According to another theory, it all began with the acts of King Philip IV the Fair. On Friday the 13th he started a war with the Templars. Representatives of the order were brutally tortured and then publicly burned in the square.
Religion and folk beliefs
There are other religious and non-religious prerequisites for the formation of a negative attitude towards this figure:
- Judas was the 13th apostle (in America they still believe that if 13 people gather at the dinner table, one of them will die within a year);
- in Tarot cards, 13 means death;
- Satan was the 13th angel before the fall;
- among the Vikings, the god of cunning and deceit was 13, he quarreled 12 other gods;
- ancient peoples considered the number 12 sacred, all numbers larger than it automatically became bad;
- 12 witches gather at the Sabbaths, Satan is the thirteenth participant.
This is interesting! Horror films, for example, the film “Friday the 13th,” made their contribution.
