The eerie aura surrounding Friday the 13th has been part of cultural folklore for centuries. This notorious date is often associated with bad luck and superstitions, captivating the imaginations of many.
These five ‘Friday the 13th’ superstitions will definitely creep you out
Below are five superstitions associated with Friday the 13th that have managed to stand the test of time.
Unlucky Day
The superstition surrounding Friday the 13th as an unlucky day has roots going back many centuries and across different cultures.
The number 12 is historically considered a symbol of completeness as seen in 12 months in a year, 12 zodiac signs, 12 tribes of Israel, 12 apostles of Jesus, etc.
However, the number 13 is seen as an irregular number, disrupting this completeness. The fear of Friday the 13th is even recognized as a phobia known as Paraskevidekatriaphobia.
The negative connotation associated with this date is often amplified by popular culture, especially through movies and books which portray Friday the 13th as a day of bad luck and misfortune.
The superstition can affect people’s behaviour, causing them to avoid certain activities on this day, which in turn continues to fuel the myth of Friday the 13th being an unlucky day.
Avoidance of Travel
The avoidance of travel on Friday the 13th is one superstition that manifests out of the general belief in the day’s ill fortune.
Some individuals choose to stay indoors to avoid any accidents or misfortunes that might be more likely to occur on this infamous date. This superstition could be tied to several historical events that happened on Friday the 13th, although most of them have been embellished over time.
The avoidance of travel on this day is a testament to the stronghold that superstitions can have on human behaviour, often causing individuals to alter their plans based on a deeply ingrained cultural belief.
Fear of the Number 13 (Triskaidekaphobia)
The fear of the number 13, known as Triskaidekaphobia, is a superstition that transcends Friday the 13th but is certainly amplified by it. This fear has led to several architectural and design oddities, such as buildings omitting the 13th floor or rooms numbered 13.
The avoidance of the number 13 is so ingrained in some cultures that it affects not only architectural designs but also social arrangements and other aspects of daily life.
The superstition surrounding the number 13 is often said to originate from various historical and cultural contexts, where the number 12 is revered while 13 is feared for its supposed ability to bring bad luck.
Bad Luck in Business
The superstition surrounding Friday the 13th extends into the business world as well. Some business people believe that initiating a business or making significant business decisions on Friday the 13th can lead to failure or bad luck.
This superstition, like others, could have roots in historical events or merely be a product of cultural fear surrounding the date and the number 13.
Despite the lack of empirical evidence supporting these beliefs, they persist and influence decisions in modern-day business operations.
Thirteen at Dinner
The superstition of thirteen people at a dinner table being a bad omen predates the Friday the 13th superstition but is often associated with it.
This belief might have originated from historical or mythical events where a gathering of thirteen individuals led to unfortunate circumstances.
One famous example is the Last Supper in Christian tradition, where Jesus and his twelve apostles dined, and Judas, the supposed 13th member to join, later betrayed Jesus.
The ominous nature of having thirteen at dinner has become a popular trope in literature and other storytelling mediums, further engraining this superstition in the public consciousness.
The enigmatic nature of Friday the 13th continues to intrigue and mystify. While the origins of many of these superstitions are buried in the annals of history, the eerie allure of Friday the 13th lives on, capturing the curiosity of the superstitious and the sceptical alike.