Friday the 13th
About Friday the 13th
When is Friday the 13th? It is celebrated whenever Friday falls on the 13th of the month
When is Friday the 13th? This is an important question for many of us. Plain and simple, Friday the 13th is a day filled with bad luck. Without a doubt, misfortune will rule the day. So, it is very important to many people to know when it falls on the calendar. This allows those of us who are superstitious, to bury our heads in the sand for the day. I don’t know about you, but I’ve got Friggatriskaidekaphobia. That’s the fear of Friday the 13th. I don’t know how and where you will spend this day. As for me, you can find me in bed hiding under the covers until this day is over.
Are you superstitious? Then, Friday the 13th is a day you may look forward to with fear! Friday the 13th, is an unlucky day, a day when bad things can happen. Whatever you do, don’t walk under a ladder, and don’t let a black cat cross your path on this day. Historically, and perhaps a bit oddly in today’s world, Friday has been viewed as an unlucky day of the week. We find this hard to fathom. After all, Friday is TGIF!! However, in days gone by, when you put the unlucky day of Friday, together with the unlucky #13, many people believe only bad things can happen.
Interestingly, there is a sizable number of optimists, who embrace Friday the 13th and the number 13. They shrug off the superstition and go buy lottery tickets with the number 13 in them.
For many who never gave it a thought, Jason in the movie “Friday, the 13th” (1980) made believers in the fearfulness of this day.
Friday the 13th Trivia and Fun Facts
Here are some fund Friday the 13th Trivia and fun facts:
- Throughout most of recorded history, the number 13 has been seen as an unlucky number.
- If you live in fear of the number 13, you suffer from Triskaidekaphobia. More phobias of interest.
- Many buildings and skyscrapers do not have a 13th floor.
- Many people will not allow 13 people at the table. If there is exactly 13 people present, a second table is set up.
- Skippers would not go out to sea with a crew of 12. Including the captain, that made 13 people.
- Ancient Mayans of Central America were the most advanced culture in all of the Americas. They considered the number 13 sacred.
- Friggatriskaidekaphobia or paraskavedekatriaphobia is the fear of Friday the 13th.
- Allegedly, the 13th person at the Last Supper was Judas Iscariot. He was the apostle who betrayed Jesus.
- Superstitions originated in the Middle Ages. There is also speculation it originated in the bible.
Like any other special or wacky day, we encourage you to fully embrace the day and have fun with it. But, don’t cower in your room in fear of this day. You’d miss all of the fun and excitement!
Friday the 13th Superstitions
- Don’t let a black cat cross your path.
- Don’t walk under a ladder.
- Don’t use the nmber13. Better yet, don’t even look or hear the number.
- Many hotels do not have a floor named the 13th floor.
- In tarot cards, 13 is the death card.
- Biblical references suggest Cain killed Abel on Friday the 13th. We are not sure how this was determined, as calendars were unlikely to have been in existence back then.
- We do know with certainty, the ancient Babylonian Code of Hammurah omitted the #13 in its list of laws. Written in 1,700 B.C., it suggests ancient Babylonians considered the #13 to be unlucky. People don’t like to fly on planes on the 13th.
Conversely, carry your lucky rabbit’s foot today.
What to do on Friday the 13th
Here are some things you can do to successfully make it through this day:
- Consider staying in bed with your head under the covers.
- Pull out your lucky penny collection. Carry it with you wherever you go.
- Put your lucky rabbit’s foot into your pocket before you leave home.
- Go to the beach and bury your head in the sand until the stroke of midnight.
- Be a risk taker. Use the number 13 when you get a lottery ticket.
- Be brave. Face your Friggatriskaidekaphobia. Do daring things today.
Today's Quote
“There is a fifth dimension, beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition.” – – Rod Serling
History and Origin of Friday the 13th
In biblical references, it is believed that Cain killed Abel on Friday the 13th. We are not sure how this was determined, as calendars were unlikely to have been in existence back then. Others believe Eve bit the forbidden fruit on a Friday the 13th.
We do know with certainty, the ancient Babylonian Code of Hammurah omitted the #13 in its list of laws. Written in 1,700 B.C., it suggests ancient Babylonians considered the #13 to be unlucky.
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