Number 17
The meaning of number 17 will vary around the world. Many will feel indifferent about the number, for some it is a lucky number.
In Italy number 17 is considered a very unlucky number by many.
In Roman numerals number 17 is written XVII.
Making an anagram with this number it turns out as VIXI which in Latin means “I have lived”, the past tense implies that one is therefore dead.
“VIXI” has been found engraved on some tombstones dating back to Ancient Rome.
“Heptadecaphobia” means fear of number 17. Some use the word “heptakaidekaphobia”, it has the same meaning; someone who fears number 17.
In the Tarot card number 17 is the card of the Stars.
It symbolizes wishes that will come true.
This is a card representing hope.
Upside down indicates low self-esteem or unfulfilled dreams.
Ohio became the 17th state in the United States in 1803.
The 17th President
Andrew Johnson was the 17th president of the United States (1865-1869). As Vice-President he became President when Lincoln was murdered.
Johnson grew up in poverty, never went to school and started his career as a tailor before entering politics.
Johnson was the first president to be impeached by congress for firing the Secretary of War from the Cabinet. His opponents in the Senate lacked one vote to have him removed.
The White House is located on 17th Street NW.
The Flood in the Bible
The flood described in the Bible started on the 17th day.
“In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the deep burst forth and the windows of the heavens were opened.” Genesis 7:11
Noah’s ark also came to rest on the seventeenth day. “and in the seventh month on the seventeenth day of the month the ark came to rest upon the mountains of Ararat.” Genesis 8:4
Floating on the Raft
In Greek mythology (according to Homer) Odysseus floated on a raft for seventeen days after leaving Calypso. Calypso was the beautiful nymph who had held him hostage (see number 7 in mythology).
Number 17 Miscellaneous
Chlorine has the atomic number 17.
A heptadecagon is a 17-sided figure.
Haiku Poems
A haiku poem has a total of 17 syllables.
It consists of three line; 5 syllables in the first line, 7 syllables in the second line and finally 5 syllables in the third line.
Haiku poems originated in Japan during the 16th century and have since then become popular worldwide.
There are seventeen different ways a wallpaper pattern can repeat itself.
The Secret Language of Birthdays
You need to use 17 muscles to make a smile.
On the 17th
March 17th is Saint Patrick Day. Saint Patrick is a patron Saint of Ireland. A common symbol is the three-leaved shamrock.
It is told that Saint Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity.
Green is the overwhelming color used on this day. March 17th is a public holiday in Ireland.
Saint Patrick’s Day has become an extremely popular day of celebration worldwide. This is a joyous and sociable celebration.
Norway celebrates Constitution Day on May 17th. On May 17, 1814 Norway declared independence from Denmark. Norway had been under Danish rule for 400 years.
South Korea celebrates Constitution Day on July 17th.
The Last Russian Tsar
Tsar Nicholas II (50 years old) of Russia, his wife and their five children were executed by the Bolsheviks on July 17, 1918.
His wife, Tsarina Alexandra (46 years old) was the granddaughter of Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom.
Their five children were: Olga (22 years old), Tatiana (21 years old), Maria (19 years old), Anastasia (17 years old) and Alexei (13 years old).
Their bodies were taken out into a forest and thrown down a mine shaft. The remains of their bodies were buried in the Peter and Paul Cathedral in St. Petersburg on July 17, 1998.
The Russian Orthodox Church has since then canonized all the seven members of the last Tsar family on the grounds that they were passion bearers. Their feast day is July 17.