Welcome to our superstition blog, where we uncover the origins and cultural impact of age-old belief. From the eerie reputation of Friday the 13th, its impact and real incidents which made us believe on its authenticity.
It might be possible that you consider black cats as bad luck, while in other cultures they are considered as sign of prosperity. Breaking a mirror is thought to bring seven years of bad luck, spilling salt is thought to be bad luck. In Mediterrian and Middle Eastern cultures, the “evil eye” is a curse believed to be cast by a malevolent glare. One big superstition in the United States is that Friday the 13th is an unlucky day.
In numerology, 12 is considered a number of completeness (e.g., 12 months in a year, 12 hours on a clock).
The superstition surrounding Friday the 13th combines two elements considered unlucky in various culture. It’s hard to know exactly when Friday the 13th became thought of as unlucky, but it likely comes from the Christian religion. According to biblical tradition, 13 guests attended the Last Supper, held on Maundy Thursday, including Jesus and his 12 apostles. One of whom was Judas, betrayed Jesus. The next day, of course, was Good Friday, the day of Jesus’ crucifixion.
The seating arrangement at the Last Supper is believed to have given rise to a longstanding Christian superstition that having 13 guests at a table was a bad omen-specifically, that it was courting death.
Big Events happened on Friday 13th
Arrest of the Knights Templar (October 13, 1307):
The mass arrest of the Knights Templar by king Philip IV of France is one of the most famous events associated with Friday the 13th. The Templars were accused of heresy and other crimes, leading to their dissolution and execution, which contributed to the date’s reputation for misfortune.
The Great Fire of Rome (July 13, 64 AD):
On Friday the 13th, this significant fire occurred on Friday. The event is often referencced in discussions about the superstitions surrounding this day, though it predates the modern association of the date with bad luck.
The Collapse of the Soviet Union (December 13, 1991):
The Soviet Union formally dissolved on Friday 13th. This event marked the end of the Cold War era and had profound geopolitical implications.
Tropical Storm Erika (August 13, 2015):
This storm caused significant damage in the Caribbean and the southeastern United States. Though not a hurricane, it brought heavy rains and flooding.
Apollo 13 mission:
The ill-fated Apollo 13 mission, which was intended to be the third manned moon landing, suffered a critical failure due to an oxygen tank explosion. The mission was famously marked by the phrase “Houston, we have a problem.”
The stock Market Crash (October 13, 1989):
On this day, the stock market experienced a significant downturn, which contributed to a broader global financial crisis. The crash is often cited in discussions of financial volatility.
The Death of William Shakespeare (April 13, 1616):
While Shakespeare’s death is traditionally recorded as April 23, 1616, in the Gregorian calendar, it is often cited as April 13 in the Julian calendar, which was in use in England at the time.
The assassination of King Charles I (January 13, 1649):
Which led to the temporary abolition of the monarchy in England.
The term for fear of Friday the 13th is “paraskevidekatriaphobia” from the Greek words “Paraskevi” for Friday and “dekatreis” for thirteen). This specific phobia is part of a boarder category known as triskaidekaphobia, which is the fear of the number 13 itself. Due to this phobia some businesses report a decrease in activity or sales on Friday the 13th, and some people avoid making significant decisions or travelling on this day. The Friday the 13th horror movie franchise, starting with the 1980s film of the same name, has contributed significantly to the day’s eerie reputation. The eerie features the infamous character Jason Voorhees and has become a cultural touchstone for the supernatural fear associated with the date.
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