Friday the 13th Superstition: Interesting Facts and Myths

Many people around the world consider Friday the 13th unlucky. It is traditionally viewed as a cursed or unlucky day, and many cultures and religions consider the number 13 unlucky or evil.

The fear of Friday the 13th has been called “friggatriskaidekaphobia” or “paraskevidekatriaphobia.” The Friday The 13th Superstition is considered bad luck not only in the U.S. but it is estimated that over 21 million people are affected by this fear. This fear causes some people to stay home, avoid important meetings, avoid traveling, and hide from the world on this day. Symptoms can include shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, and hyperventilation.

Where do these Friday the 13th Bad Luck Superstitions come from? There are several theories about how Friday the 13th became a day where you had to be careful. One of the main reasons Friday the 13th is considered unlucky is because of the number 13 itself. One of the more popular theories is that it came from as far back as Biblical times when the 13th guest/apostle at the Last Supper, Judas, betrayed Jesus. Other theories on Why Friday the 13th? Cain is said to have killed his brother Abel on a Friday, the Temple of Solomon was said to have been destroyed on a Friday, Jesus was said to be crucified on Friday, and it is also said to be the day Eve gave Adam the fateful apple. Some biblical scholars have even said Eve tempted Adam with the “forbidden fruit” on Friday the 13th.

Another theory is that it originated in Norse mythology. The Norse gods had a party for 12, and Loki, the god of mischief, was the 13th and uninvited guest. Loki tricked someone into killing the god of light, joy, and reconciliation (Balder), which sent the gods into a dark mourning period.

Other theories include the fact that there are 12 months in the year, 12 hours on a clock, and 12 zodiac signs, so 13 was considered irregular and, therefore, unlucky. 13 also happens to be the number of witches needed to form a coven.

Friday the 13th Superstitions

Over the years, many things have happened on Friday the 13th or had the number 13 associated with it. Bad luck or just mere coincidences? You be the judge.

Origins of the Superstition

The origins of the superstition surrounding Friday the 13th are shrouded in mystery, but several compelling theories have emerged over time. One of the most enduring explanations dates back to the Last Supper. According to Christian tradition, Judas Iscariot, the 13th guest to sit at the dinner table, betrayed Jesus, leading to his crucifixion on Good Friday. This association of betrayal and misfortune with the number 13 and the day Friday has cemented their bad reputation in Western culture.

Another intriguing theory involves the Knights Templar, a powerful medieval military order. On Friday, October 13th, 1307, King Philip IV of France ordered the arrest and execution of many Templars, leading to the order’s eventual downfall. This event, popularized in modern times by books like “The Da Vinci Code,” has contributed to the ominous aura surrounding Friday the 13th.

The combination of Friday, a day already considered unlucky in Christian tradition, and the number 13, often seen as irregular and foreboding, creates a potent mix of superstition that has persisted through the ages.

The Fear of 13

The fear of the number 13, known as triskaidekaphobia, is a widespread phenomenon that transcends cultures and epochs. This irrational fear is often traced back to the Last Supper, where Judas Iscariot, the 13th person to sit at the dinner table, betrayed Jesus. In biblical tradition, the number 13 is seen as a symbol of imperfection and misfortune, a stark contrast to the completeness and harmony associated with the number 12.

Throughout history, this fear has been perpetuated in various ways. Many buildings skip the 13th floor, and some hotels avoid having room 13. The number 13 is often considered unlucky in many cultures, and this superstition is frequently linked to Friday the 13th, amplifying the sense of dread associated with this day.

Friday The 13th Considered Unlucky Superstitions List

• In 1307, King Philip IV of France arrested and imprisoned the Knights Templar, and many were killed, eventually leading to the demise of the order that had existed for nearly two centuries. This theory was popularized in the Da Vinci Code but has no documented history.
• 1521 is known as the fall of the Aztec Empire when Cortes captured the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan.
• There is an urban legend that the British Navy built a ship named Friday the 13th. According to the legend, the ship set sail on its maiden voyage but was never heard from again. The Royal Navy Museum has stated that this is a hoax, but many people still believe it.
• In 1939, a fire in Australia’s Victoria province killed 36 people.
• Germany bombed Buckingham Palace on September 13th, 1940. Both King George VI and Queen Elizabeth were almost killed.
• In 1951, an already flooded area in Kansas was hit with so much rain that the Kansas River rose to a record high of 40.8 ft. According to the National Weather Service, it was the worst day of flood destruction for the Midwest, causing over 935 million in damage, equivalent to over 6 billion dollars today.
• A Swedish military plane disappeared over the Baltic Sea on June 13th, 1952. In the 90’s Soviets admitted to shooting down the DC-3 plane.
• In New York City, Friday, March 13th, 1964, over 30 people witnessed a rape and murder without calling the policy.  The case became a popular topic in psychology classes to illustrate why people fail to act in a situation because they assume someone else will step in (also referred to as the “bystander effect.”
• Apollo 13, the famous spacecraft, launched on April 11th, 1970. If you add up all the digits of the date, 4-11-70 (4+1+1+7+0), it equals 13. The spacecraft exploded on April 13th, although it wasn’t a Friday.
• On November 13th, 1970, a terrible storm killed around 300,000 people in Bangladesh and created floods that are thought to have killed as many as one million more in the Ganges Delta.
• On October 13th, 1972, a plane crashed, leaving many dead and 16 other passengers stranded in the Andes Mountains for over 72 days. Survivors had to resort to cannibalism to prevent dying from starvation.  The book and movie “Alive” were released based on this true story.
• On Friday, January 13th, 1989, a Friday the 13th computer Virus spread through the U.K.  Hundreds of IBM computers were affected, and many files were permanently deleted.
• On October 13th, 1989, the stock market dropped 190 points, which back then was considered a “mini-crash” and was the second-largest drop in history. Now, that day doesn’t even make the list of the top 10 most significant drops in history.
• On August 13th, 2004, Category 4 Hurricane Charley (winds reached up to 150 mph) hit southwest Florida. It was the strongest hurricane to hit the state since Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and caused over 8 billion dollars in damage to the region.
• Friday, September 13th, 1996, Rapper Tupac Shakur died of wounds from a drive-by shooting.
• On October 13th, 2006, a blizzard hit Buffalo, NY, bringing over 24 inches of snow to the region.
• In 2010, at 13:13 military time, a 13-year-old boy was struck by lightning in Suffolk.
• The Costa Concordia cruise ship sank off the western coast of Italy on January 13th, 2012, killing 30 people.
• A terrorist attack that killed 130 people in Paris occurred in November 2015 on Friday the 13th.
• More bad luck in the future?  On April 13th, 2029, an asteroid named “99942 Apophis” is predicted to come dangerously close to Earth.
• In Spanish-speaking countries, Tuesday the 13th is considered a day of bad luck instead of Friday the 13th, highlighting regional variations in superstitions about luck.

Famous People Born on Friday the 13th

• Train and bank robber Butch Cassidy was born on Friday, April 13th, 1866.
• Dictator Fidel Castro was born on Friday, August 13th, 1926.
• Actress Julia Louis Dreyfus was born on Friday, January 13th, 1961.
• Actresses and fashion moguls Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen were born on Friday, June 13th, 1986.

Other Interesting Friday the 13th Facts, Myths & Superstitions

• Many tall buildings and hotels have no 13th floor, as they intentionally skip it.
• Some hospitals do not have a room 13.
• Throughout the years, some presidents have considered the number 13 to be lucky, while others have not. President Woodrow Wilson thought it was his lucky number, while President Franklin D. Roosevelt would not travel that day and would never have a meal with 13 guests attending.
• Many people refuse to fly or even go to work when there is a Friday the 13th.
• If you are superstitious about the number 13 or Friday the 13th, don’t carry any dollar bills. On the back of the bill, on the eagle’s claw, there are 13 arrows in its left talon (representing the 13 original states), and the olive branch has 13 leaves and 13 olives as well. The pyramid has 13 steps, and above the eagle’s head, there are 13 stars.
• Having a dinner party with only 13 people is considered bad luck because Judas, the disciple who was said to have betrayed Jesus, was the 13th guest at the Last Supper.
• Dan Marino wore the number 13 his entire career with the Dolphins and never won a Super Bowl. He has often been referred to as the best quarterback, never to win the Super Bowl. Ironically, a year later, a hurricane hit South Florida on the day they were retiring Marino’s jersey.
• The 13th card of the Tarot shows the Grim Reaper mounted on a horse, which stands for death.
• In 1997, the car that Princess Diana was in crashed into the 13th pillar of Pont de l’Alma, resulting in her death.
• DON’T cut your hair on Friday the 13th, as some believe it will result in a death in the family.
• DON’T change your bed linens on this day, or you will have bad dreams.
• DON’T cut your nails on a Friday the 13th. It is considered a bad omen and will bring someone a lot of bad luck.
• DON’T start a trip or end a vacation or trip on this day.

In recent years, Friday the 13th has also been embraced by pop culture and has been the subject of many books, movies, and T.V. shows. The most notable example is the “Friday the 13th” movie franchise, which began in 1980 and has since spawned multiple sequels and spin-offs. These movies have helped to popularize the idea of Friday the 13th as a day of bad luck and have reinforced many of the superstitions and beliefs surrounding the day.

Despite the many superstitions and myths surrounding Friday the 13th, it is important to remember that it is just another day on the calendar. The beliefs and superstitions associated with the day are largely based on old legends and cultural traditions and have no basis in fact. Therefore, it is important to approach Friday the 13th with a sense of perspective and not let superstitions and myths dictate how we live our lives.

Friday the 13th in Pop Culture

Friday the 13th has transcended its superstitious roots to become a cultural phenomenon, largely thanks to the iconic horror film franchise that shares its name. Launched in 1980, the “Friday the 13th” series has spawned numerous sequels, remakes, and spin-offs, cementing its place in horror cinema history. The franchise’s central figure, Jason Voorhees, with his hockey mask and relentless pursuit of victims, has become an enduring symbol of terror.

Beyond the silver screen, the franchise has expanded into comic books, novels, and video games, further embedding Friday the 13th into popular culture. This horror film franchise has entertained millions and reinforced the superstitions and myths surrounding this infamous day.

Debunking the Myth

Despite the widespread belief in the bad luck associated with Friday the 13th, scientific evidence suggests otherwise. Numerous studies have shown that the number of accidents, disasters, and unfortunate events on Friday the 13th is no higher than on any other day. This superstition is primarily a result of confirmation bias, where people remember the negative events that occur on this day and overlook those that happen on other days.

The media also plays a significant role in perpetuating this myth by highlighting incidents that occur on Friday the 13th, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. In reality, Friday the 13th is just another day on the Gregorian calendar, and the fears surrounding it are rooted in cultural traditions and old legends rather than factual evidence. So, the next time Friday the 13th rolls around, remember to approach it with a sense of perspective and not let superstitions dictate your actions.

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Related blogs posts about Superstitions:

Superbowl Traditions & Superstitions
New Years Superstitions to Travel More
Strange Superstitions from Around the World
Chinese New Years & Superstitions
New Years Traditions & Superstitions

New Year’s Lucky Foods

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