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Description
In East Asian cultures, 4 is a homophone of death. Special care may be taken to avoid occurrences or reminders of the number 4 during everyday life. Mentioning the number 4 around a sick relative may be insulting. Giving four of something is strongly discouraged. Elevators in Asia often skip the 4th floor. Military aircraft and ships also avoid the number 4. Maternity wards in Japan may not have a Room 43 because it sounds like shisan (死産 – stillbirth).

There are Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: Pestilence, War, Famine and Death; and the Four Last Things: Death, Judgment, Heaven and Hell.

In Norse mythology, Loki was 13th to arrive unattended at a feast in Valhalla, and arranged for Höðr to kill Baldur. In Christianity, Judas—the apostle who betrayed Jesus—was the 13th guest at the Last Supper.

Where East Asian and Western cultures blend, such as in Hong Kong, it is possible in some buildings that the 13th floor along with all the floors with 4s to be omitted.

4 = 1+3
413 = 死一生 (sǐ yī shēng) = death for a lifetime.

Description
In East Asian cultures, 4 is a homophone of death. Special care may be taken to avoid occurrences or reminders of the number 4 during everyday life. Mentioning the number 4 around a sick relative may be insulting. Giving four of something is strongly discouraged. Elevators in Asia often skip the 4th floor. Military aircraft and ships also avoid the number 4. Maternity wards in Japan may not have a Room 43 because it sounds like shisan (死産 – stillbirth).

There are Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: Pestilence, War, Famine and Death; and the Four Last Things: Death, Judgment, Heaven and Hell.

In Norse mythology, Loki was 13th to arrive unattended at a feast in Valhalla, and arranged for Höðr to kill Baldur. In Christianity, Judas—the apostle who betrayed Jesus—was the 13th guest at the Last Supper.

Where East Asian and Western cultures blend, such as in Hong Kong, it is possible in some buildings that the 13th floor along with all the floors with 4s to be omitted.

4 = 1+3
413 = 死一生 (sǐ yī shēng) = death for a lifetime.