Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia

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Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia (literally, "fear of the number six-hundred and sixty-six") is the fear that originates in the Biblical verse Revelation 13:18 which indicates that the number 666 is the Number of the Beast, linked to Satan or the Anti-Christ. However, this was originally written as 616, but was changed. Outside the Christian faith, the phobia has been further popularized as a motif in various horror films.

Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobes will strongly avoid things related to the number 666. A prominent example is of Nancy and Ronald Reagan who, in 1989, when moving to their home in the Bel-Air section of Los Angeles, had the address of 666 St. Cloud Road changed to 668 St. Cloud Road. One may notice, however, that Ronald Wilson Reagan has 6 letters in all three of his names.^[1] Some women also expressed concern on giving birth to a child on 6/6/2006.^[2]

Rarer is trying to avoid the number as it relates to other numbers. For example, the fraction 2/3 has a repeating decimal of .666…. A severe hexakosioihexekontahexaphobe may avoid all fractions that would include this recurring decimal. Those with hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia may consider it bad luck to get three sixes in a hand of poker, even though this is usually quite a good hand.

Many are afraid of the digits 666, rather than the quantitative number adding up to this amount.

In 2006, the BBC listed Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia and its definition as fact #64 in its "100 things we didn't know last year"^[3]

[edit] References

1. ^ "Apocalypse Tuesday?", Associated Press, June 5, 2006. Retrieved on January 20, 2007.
2. ^ Allen-Mills, Tony. "Mothers expect Damien on 6/6/06", The Sunday Times - Britain, April 30, 2006.
3. ^ 100 things we didn't know last year. BBC Magazine Monitor blog (December 28, 2006). Retrieved on January 20, 2007.