The thirteenth floor refers to an imaginary or non-existent floor in a high-rise building, often omitted due to superstition or cultural beliefs. In many Western cultures, the number thirteen has long been considered unlucky or cursed. Consequently, some buildings choose to skip labeling or assigning the number thirteen to any actual floor, creating a lack of continuity between the twelfth and fourteenth floors.
The superstition surrounding the thirteenth floor can be traced back to various sources, including ancient folklore, religious beliefs, and societal customs. For instance, in Christianity, the Last Supper is oftentimes portrayed as having thirteen people (Jesus and his twelve disciples) and is associated with betrayal, as Judas Iscariot, who later betrayed Jesus, was the thirteenth person in attendance. Further reinforcing the negative perception of the number, many significant historical events, disasters, or accidents are rumored to have occurred on the thirteenth day of the month.
Due to these cultural and superstitious fears, labeling a floor as the thirteenth can be seen as bad luck or inauspicious. As a result, architects, building owners, or operators may choose to avoid using the number in elevators, signage, or directory listings, giving rise to the concept of the "missing" thirteenth floor. Consequently, visitors or occupants of buildings without a labeled thirteenth floor may find themselves transitioning directly from the twelfth to fourteenth floor, without any mention or acknowledgement of the seeming absence.
