Are you superstitious or just curious about the infamous Friday the 13th? Join us on a journey to explore the history and origins of this unlucky day, as well as the various superstitions and beliefs surrounding it.
From its ties to Norse mythology and Christianity to its impact on popular culture, we’ll uncover some surprising facts about Friday the 13th. Whether you’re a horror fan or just looking for something new to learn, this video has something for everyone. So, grab your lucky rabbit’s foot and join us on this fascinating exploration of Friday the 13th!
Friday the 13th is a superstitious belief that is associated with bad luck or misfortune that occurs on the 13th day of the month, particularly when it falls on a Friday. The origin of this belief is unclear, but it is believed to have ancient roots in various cultures and religions. In some countries, Friday the 13th is considered a day of bad luck, while in others it is not given much significance. It has also become popularized in modern culture through books, films, and other media that depict the day as ominous or frightening.
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History of Friday the 13th
The origins of the superstition surrounding Friday the 13th are uncertain, but there are several theories about how it came to be.
One theory suggests that the superstition dates back to the Middle Ages, when it was believed that the number 13 was unlucky because it was one more than the number of apostles at the Last Supper, where Jesus Christ was betrayed and crucified. Friday was also considered an unlucky day because it was the day on which Jesus was crucified, according to Christian tradition. Therefore, the combination of Friday and the number 13 was believed to be particularly unlucky.
Another theory links the superstition to the Knights Templar, a medieval Christian military order that was disbanded in the 14th century. On Friday, October 13, 1307, King Philip IV of France ordered the arrest of thousands of Templars, accusing them of heresy and other crimes. Many of the Templars were tortured and executed, and some people believe that the date of their arrest is the origin of the superstition.
Regardless of its origins, the superstition surrounding Friday the 13th has persisted throughout history and has been reinforced by various events. For example, in the 19th century, a book called “Friday the Thirteenth” was published, which was a novel about a stockbroker who chooses that date to crash the stock market. Additionally, the horror movie franchise “Friday the 13th” debuted in 1980 and featured a serial killer named Jason Voorhees who terrorized his victims on that date.
Today, many people around the world still view Friday the 13th as an unlucky day and take precautions to avoid bad luck, such as avoiding travel, making important decisions, or undertaking new endeavors.
Friday the 13th Fun Facts
Here are some fun facts about Friday the 13th:
- Fear of Friday the 13th is called Friggatriskaidekaphobia. This word is derived from Frigga, the Norse goddess for whom Friday is named, and triskaidekaphobia, which means fear of the number 13.
- The superstition surrounding Friday the 13th may have started in the Middle Ages, when it was believed that gathering 13 people for a meal would result in one of them dying within the year.
- The movie franchise “Friday the 13th” featuring the infamous killer Jason Voorhees has grossed over $465 million worldwide.
- Some hospitals and hotels skip the 13th floor and some airlines omit the 13th row on their planes.
- The last time a month started on a Sunday and had a Friday the 13th was in February 2022. The next time this will happen is in August 2027.
- In some Spanish-speaking countries and in Greece, Tuesday the 13th is considered unlucky instead of Friday the 13th.
- There is a village in England called Friday Street that celebrates Friday the 13th with a special festival every time it occurs.
- The stock market has historically performed worse on Friday the 13th, with an average drop of 0.14%, compared to an average gain of 0.05% on other Fridays.
- Some people believe that having 13 letters in their name is unlucky, while others believe that it is lucky.
- In Italy, Friday the 17th is considered unlucky instead of Friday the 13th. This superstition may be related to the fact that the Roman numeral for 17, XVII, can be rearranged to spell “VIXI,” which means “I have lived,” implying that the person is already dead.
Superstitions Friday the 13th
Here are some superstitions associated with Friday the 13th
- It is considered bad luck to walk under a ladder on Friday the 13th (as well as any other day).
- Many people avoid black cats on Friday the 13th, as they are believed to bring bad luck.
- Breaking a mirror on Friday the 13th is said to bring seven years of bad luck.
- Some people believe that if you spill salt on Friday the 13th, you should throw a pinch over your left shoulder to ward off bad luck.
- Carrying a rabbit’s foot is said to bring good luck on Friday the 13th (although this may not be so lucky for the rabbit).
- If you open an umbrella indoors on Friday the 13th, it is believed to bring bad luck.
- Many people believe that if you wear new clothes on Friday the 13th, you will invite bad luck into your life.
- Some people believe that if you see a single magpie on Friday the 13th, it is a sign of bad luck.
- Many people avoid making important decisions or signing contracts on Friday the 13th, as they believe that it is an unlucky day for such things.
- Some people believe that if you find a horseshoe on Friday the 13th, you will have good luck. However, it is important that the horseshoe is facing upwards so that the luck doesn’t run out.
Similar Dates
There are several other dates that are considered to be unlucky or ominous in various cultures, although they may not be as well-known as Friday the 13th. Here are a few examples:
- The number 4 is considered unlucky in some Asian cultures, particularly in China and Japan, because it sounds similar to the word for “death” in those languages.
- In Greece and some other countries, Tuesday the 13th is considered unlucky instead of Friday the 13th.
- In Spanish-speaking countries and cultures, the 15th of every month is considered an unlucky day, particularly for financial matters, because it is associated with the full moon.
- In some parts of Italy, Friday the 17th is considered unlucky instead of Friday the 13th.
- In the United States, some people consider April 15th to be an unlucky day because it is the deadline for filing income taxes.
These are just a few examples of similar dates that are considered unlucky or ominous in different cultures. Superstitions about unlucky dates can vary widely depending on the region and cultural background.
Friday the 13th Activities
Some people view Friday the 13th as an ominous or unlucky day, while others may see it as an opportunity to have some fun or engage in unusual activities. Here are a few examples of Friday the 13th activities:
- Watching Scary Movies: Many people enjoy watching horror movies on Friday the 13th to get into the spooky spirit of the day. The “Friday the 13th” film series is a popular choice, as are other classic horror films like “Halloween” or “Nightmare on Elm Street.”
- Hosting a Superstition Party: Some people enjoy hosting parties where guests can share their favorite superstitions, such as knocking on wood or avoiding black cats. You could also have games or activities that are based on superstitions, such as breaking a mirror (safely) or trying to walk under a ladder without getting “cursed.”
- Taking a Ghost Tour: If you live in a city with a haunted history, taking a ghost tour on Friday the 13th can be a fun way to learn more about local legends and folklore.
- Trying Something New: Some people see Friday the 13th as an opportunity to try something new or take a risk. You could try a new hobby or activity, or take on a challenge that you’ve been putting off.
- Donating to Charity: If you’re feeling particularly unlucky on Friday the 13th, you could turn it around by making a donation to charity or volunteering your time to help others. Helping those in need can be a great way to bring some positivity to an otherwise ominous day.
These are just a few examples of Friday the 13th activities. Whether you see the day as a time for superstition or an opportunity for fun, there are plenty of ways to make the most of it.
Social impact
The superstition surrounding Friday the 13th has had a significant social impact, particularly in terms of how people perceive and behave on this day. Here are a few examples:
- Fear and Anxiety: Many people experience fear and anxiety on Friday the 13th, even if they do not necessarily believe in the superstition. This can lead to increased stress and decreased productivity.
- Travel and Business: Some people avoid traveling or making important business decisions on Friday the 13th, which can disrupt travel plans and business operations.
- Pop Culture: The superstition surrounding Friday the 13th has also had a significant impact on pop culture, with many horror movies, books, and other media featuring this date as an ominous or frightening time.
- Profitability: On the flip side, some businesses capitalize on the superstition surrounding Friday the 13th by offering special promotions or discounts on this day, which can increase profitability.
Overall, the superstition surrounding Friday the 13th has had a complex social impact, influencing the way people behave and think on this day, as well as contributing to popular culture and commercial ventures.
Occurrence
Friday the 13th occurs at least once every year and can occur up to three times in a single year. The occurrence of Friday the 13th is determined by the combination of the Gregorian calendar and the 7-day week cycle.
The Gregorian calendar is a solar calendar that has 12 months of varying lengths, with each month having either 28, 30, or 31 days. Because a solar year is approximately 365.25 days, an additional day is added to February every 4 years in a leap year to keep the calendar synchronized with the Earth’s orbit around the sun.
The 7-day week cycle is a cultural convention that has been used in many cultures for thousands of years. The seven days of the week are named after celestial objects: Sunday (Sun), Monday (Moon), Tuesday (Mars), Wednesday (Mercury), Thursday (Jupiter), Friday (Venus), and Saturday (Saturn).
When a month begins on a Sunday, there will be a Friday the 13th in that month. In addition, if a leap year starts on a Thursday, there will be three Friday the 13ths that year, in February, March, and November.
Therefore, the occurrence of Friday the 13th is determined by the combination of the Gregorian calendar and the 7-day week cycle, and can occur at least once and up to three times in a year.
