Three Sixes (666) Is the Devil’s Number

Mark of the Beast and Modern Dread

Details

According to Christian-influenced superstition, the numerical sequence 666 embodies pure evil and maintains direct connections to Satan, the Antichrist, or demonic forces. This numerical taboo manifests in deliberate avoidance of the sequence in addresses, phone numbers, transaction amounts, and identification numbers. People experiencing genuine fear of this number suffer from hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia. Some traditions specify that approximations (e.g., 665, 667) or sequences containing multiple sixes (6666) also carry negative associations, while others believe the danger lies specifically in the three-digit sequence rather than the digit itself.

Historical Context

This specific numerical taboo has documented religious origins:

The Book of Revelation 13:18 explicitly identifies 666 as “the number of the beast” or Antichrist
Early Christian numerological interpretation connected the number to Emperor Nero through Hebrew gematria
Medieval Christian demonology expanded associations between 666 and Satan himself
Some Greek manuscripts record the number as 616, creating a variant tradition
Apocalyptic religious movements throughout history have used the number to identify contemporary figures as the Antichrist

This biblically-derived superstition represents one of the most specific and textually documented numerical taboos in Western culture.

Modern Relevance

This numerical avoidance remains remarkably prevalent in contemporary society across diverse Christian and post-Christian cultures. Businesses routinely adjust prices, room numbers, and addresses to avoid the sequence. Ronald Reagan famously changed his retirement home address from 666 to 668 St. Cloud Road. The number features prominently in horror films and literature as shorthand for evil. Some contemporary Christians interpret various technologies, organizations, or public figures as fulfilling prophetic associations with the number. This religious numerical taboo exemplifies how specific textual references can create enduring cultural avoidance patterns that persist far beyond their original historical contexts through religious education and popular culture reinforcement.

Sources

Pagels, E. (1995). The Origin of Satan. Random House.
Bauckham, R. (1993). The Climax of Prophecy: Studies on the Book of Revelation. T&T Clark.