Numbers date as far back as 20,000 years ago, when the earliest evidence of counting was discovered. Although they are generally associated with hard facts, the concept of “luck” or “unluckiness” is also a large part of the influence numbers hold in our everyday life, and throughout history.
In many cultures, the number 13 is considered to be a famously unlucky number, while the number 7 is associated with luck – and we’re talking way before slots or blackjack was even a thing! Why? What is so lucky about the number 7?
Just like 13’s bad reputation, there’s no proof that the number 7 provides any player or game with good fortune. But thanks to its association with many important situations and events – in nature, history, science, literature, films and even music – many have been left believing this digit holds a tremendous amount of luck.
If you’re a musician, you’ll be familiar with the 7 different notes in an octave. For those who are not, musical scales are written in octaves where the top (first) note is the same as the bottom (8th) but at an octave higher.
The famous scientist Isaac Newton must have been a great appreciator of music, as he defined rainbows by a 7 colour split to match the scales, introducing what would become the scientific concept of the colour spectrum.
And it isn’t just rainbows – the heavens are filled with sevens! If you look into our solar system on a clear night, you may catch a glimpse of the Big Dipper and Orion—both consisting of 7 stars in their constellations.
Back down on earth, the number 7 is sprinkled throughout our history, perhaps most famously with the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World. But there are some other significant sevens that you may be less familiar with:
The ancient Egyptians revered 7 as a lucky number, because it was the number of planets they could see in the sky. We know that the heavens played a big role in Egyptian life, and the significance of the 7 planets expressed itself in other important parts of their culture. In fact, the Great Pyramid of Meidium (Egypt’s 2nd oldest) was originally built with 7 steps to honour the skies above.
Moving forward in time, the great city of Rome is claimed to have been built on 7 hills, as have a surprising number of other cities including Athens, Moscow, Istanbul, Jerusalem, and closer to home, Albany in New York State!
More recently, Canada and United States each declared their nationhood in July, the 7th month – there are even 7 articles to the US constitution.
With so many positive associations throughout history, it’s no surprise that 7 was coined as the ‘lucky number’. Of course, perhaps the most famous setting connected to the lucky 7 is the casino, where everything from slots to table games create fun with this number in mind. There is even a unique version of Blackjack named after it called, Blazing 7s!
Learn all about Blazing 7s Blackjack and try your luck!
