numbers

   There is no systematic numerology in English folklore; the only numbers widely regarded as significant are *three, *seven, *nine, *thirteen. The latter only acquired importance over the last two or three centuries, but the good luck ascribed to odd numbers below ten is a regular feature of European folklore. Curiously, five has little role in folklore, except as the *pentacle. Twelve is the only even number occasionally regarded as significant; it presumably stands for completeness, by association with the twelve hours on a clock-face, the twelve months of the year, and the old way of reckoning by dozens.

   Occasionally, it is said there are 365 windows in a very large house (or trees in a copse, or steps in a long flight), 'one for each day of the year'. *Number 666 is regarded as Satanic and unlucky.