Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia (pronounced: hexa-koseeoi-hexe-konta-hexaphobia) (derived from Ancient Greek roots ἑξακόσιοι (six hundred), ἑξήκοντα (sixty), and ἕξ (six); literally meaning "fear of [the number] six hundred sixty-six") is the fear[3] that originated from 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.[4]

Examples

A prominent example is Nancy and Ronald Reagan who, in 1979, when moving to their home in the Bel-Air section of Los Angeles, had its address—666 St. Cloud Road—changed to 668 St. Cloud Road.[5][6]

The phobia has been a motif in various horror films such as The Omen and its 2006 remake. The number of the beast also appears in other films such as Pulp Fiction.

Some women also expressed concern about giving birth to a child on June 6, 2006 (06/06/06).[7]

Another example of hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia comes from the Dutch Christian organisation Stichting Opwekking ("Revival Foundation"). When their songbook would have reached the number 666 in May 2007 they decided to skip the number "because of the sensitivity amongst people".[8] Another reason for excluding this number was that it would be the last song of that year: they release new Christian songs in their Revival songbook every year around Pentecost and the number 666 would be on the front page of their songbook. As a result the Revival songbook skips from 665 to 667. Christian critics described this exclusion as a superstitious act.[9]

See also