Friday the 13th: Why is the date considered unlucky, and why do Paraguayans fear Tuesday instead?

Today is Friday the 13th – the third and final time the date falls on a Friday this year. The date, which makes many people cringe, has a long history of superstition surrounding it. There are even dedicated terms for the fear of Friday the 13th: paraskevidekatriaphobia and friggatriskaidekaphobia.

However, like many superstitions, the fear is not shared by all cultures. In Paraguay, for instance, Tuesday is considered far more unlucky than Friday.

History and origin of Friday the 13th

Friday the 13th is widely believed to bring bad luck. Although its exact origins remain unclear, one popular explanation links the superstition to the Last Supper, where Jesus dined with his 12 disciples, making 13 people at the table.


According to History.com, this association is one of the explanations behind the date's reputation.

The Old Farmer's Almanac attributes the superstition to Norse mythology. According to the account, the Norse god Baldur was killed at a dinner attended by 12 guests, with Loki arriving as the uninvited 13th guest.

Notable incidents that happened on Friday the 13th

Over the years, several notable incidents have taken place on Friday the 13th, further strengthening the date's notoriety among believers.

For instance, US President Donald Trump declared a national emergency over the COVID-19 pandemic on March 13, 2020, which fell on a Friday.

The infamous plane crash involving a Uruguayan Air Force aircraft in the Andes occurred on October 13, 1972. Survivors were forced to resort to cannibalism to stay alive.

On September 13, 1940, German forces bombed Buckingham Palace during World War II.

And if you are among those who believe in Friday the 13th superstitions, here is another date that might catch your attention: asteroid 99942 Apophis is scheduled to make a close flyby of Earth on April 13, 2029. Although it is expected to pass at a safe distance of approximately 20,000 miles from Earth's surface, the date may still fuel speculation among superstition enthusiasts.

Why do Paraguayans fear Tuesday the 13th?

While Friday the 13th receives considerable attention internationally, Paraguay has a different unlucky day: Tuesday the 13th.

According to Asuncion Times, a popular saying in Paraguay goes: "Tuesday the 13th, neither marry nor travel."

"Although Friday receives greater international attention, Tuesday remains the traditional unlucky day across Paraguay and other Hispanic countries," the website says.