Why is Friday the 13th so unlucky? Here's the shocking truth about this date

For many people around the world, Friday the 13th carries a strange sense of unease. The date has long been associated with bad luck, mysterious events and centuries-old superstition.

In 2026, the fear may feel even stronger for believers in the superstition, as the calendar brings three separate Friday the 13th dates, in February, March and November. But the question remains: why has this particular combination of day and date become so widely feared?

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Did the Last Supper influence the Friday the 13th superstition?

One of the most widely cited origins of the Friday the 13th superstition comes from Christian tradition.

At the Last Supper, 13 people sat together at the table — Jesus Christ and his 12 disciples. The gathering took place on Maundy Thursday, just one day before the crucifixion of Christ by Roman soldiers on Good Friday.

The number 13 became associated with betrayal because Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus, was present at that gathering, as per a report by The Independent.

Over time, the number itself came to be seen as imperfect. In contrast, the number 12 has traditionally been viewed as a symbol of order and completeness, representing things such as the months in a year.

This contrast between 12 and 13 helped shape the idea that the number 13 carried negative meaning.

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What happened on Friday the 13th in 1307?

Another event often linked to the superstition occurred centuries later in medieval Europe. On Friday, October 13, 1307, King Philip IV of France ordered the arrest of hundreds of members of the Knights Templar.

The religious order of Catholic crusaders had grown wealthy and influential. Under pressure from Pope Clement V, the knights were accused of a series of shocking acts during initiation rituals, as per a report by The Independent.

These accusations came from an excommunicated former member who claimed recruits were forced to spit on the cross, deny Christ and participate in inappropriate acts.

The claims were widely considered unfounded but served a convenient purpose for King Philip IV. The king owed the order large debts after his war with England, and persecuting them allowed him to remove that financial burden.

The arrested knights were charged with corruption and false worship. Many confessions were reportedly obtained through torture.

Eventually, several members of the order were burned at the stake in Paris. The Knights Templar’s Grand Master, Jacques de Molay, was executed near Notre Dame Cathedral. According to tradition, he issued a final curse against those responsible for their persecution, as per a report by The Independent.

“God knows who is wrong and has sinned. Soon a calamity will occur to those who have condemned us to death.”

The legend suggests this curse helped cement the idea that Friday the 13th would forever bring misfortune.



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Do other cultures fear different dates?

Interestingly, the fear surrounding Friday the 13th is not universal. In Spanish-speaking countries and in Greece, people are more likely to worry about Tuesday the 13th.

Italy has its own variation as well. There, the date considered unlucky is Friday the 17th. Across cultures, people have developed different signs believed to bring bad luck. Common examples include a black cat crossing someone’s path, breaking a mirror, walking under a ladder, opening an umbrella indoors or speaking the name of Shakespeare’s “Scottish play” while inside a theatre, as per a report by The Independent.

While many people today view these traditions as harmless superstition, the long history behind Friday the 13th shows how deeply certain beliefs can become rooted in culture over centuries.

FAQs

Why do people think Friday the 13th is unlucky?

Many believe the superstition comes from the Last Supper and later historical events involving the Knights Templar.

What is the fear of Friday the 13th called?

The irrational fear of the date is known as paraskevidekatriaphobia.