Numbers: Symbolic Survival

Why do hotels skip the 13th floor?Why do millions of people avoid the number 4, fear 666, search for 11:11, trust lucky numbers, repeat sacred prayers a certain number of times, or pay more for an address that contains the number 8?At first glance, these seem like unrelated superstitions, religious traditions, cultural habits, or personal beliefs.But what if they all grow from the same ancient hum...