Friday the 13th Superstition: Why this date is considered unlucky and what fuels superstitions

Tomorrow is Friday the 13th, a date many people view with apprehension. This day is considered unlucky by many, and some even have a specific phobia of it, known as paraskavedekatriaphobia or friggatriskaidekaphobia. Reports suggest that the fear of Friday the 13th results in businesses losing an estimated $900 million every time it occurs because people avoid traveling, scheduling important events, or even going to work.

Friday The 13th History

The roots of this fear are not entirely clear. In Western culture, the number 13 is often seen as unlucky, contrasting with the number 12, which symbolizes completeness with examples like the 12 months of the year and the 12 zodiac signs. According to HISTORY, one myth traces the fear to an early version of the Code of Hammurabi, which supposedly omitted the 13th law. However, this was later found to be an error by a translator.

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Biblical Tradition and Norse Mythology on Friday the 13th

Biblical tradition also plays a role. There were 13 guests at the Last Supper, and Jesus was crucified the next day, which was a Friday. Charles Panati, in his book "Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things," links the superstition to Norse mythology. In one story, Loki, the god of mischief, crashed a banquet, causing chaos and resulting in the death of Balder, the god of light.

Not all cultures view Friday the 13th as unlucky. In Spain, people consider Tuesday the 13th to be more dangerous. Brian Handwerk for National Geographic writes, “In Spain, Friday the 13th is no cause for alarm, and instead, Tuesday the 13th is the year's most dangerous date." Similarly, Italians fear the 17th due to its association with the Roman numeral XVII, which can be rearranged to spell "VIXI," meaning "my life is over" in Latin.

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While the fear of this date causes significant disruptions, it is important to remember that these superstitions vary across cultures and are often historical in nature.