Friday the 13th is a date you can’t avoid. At least once a year, this infamous day will appear on the calendar, and in 2024, we have two: the first on Friday, September 13th, and the second in December.
This seemingly ordinary day carries with it a heavy load of superstition, myths, and fear. But is there any truth behind these beliefs, or is it all just a case of mass hysteria? Whether fact or fiction, many people feel nervous and cautious when this date comes around. So, why all the anxiety surrounding Friday the 13th?
The Fear of Friday the 13th
Western culture has long held Friday the 13th in superstitious dread, while in many other cultures, it means nothing at all. Some of us might avoid walking under ladders or crossing paths with black cats on this day, but for some, the fear is extreme. This widespread superstition can have surprising economic impacts, as many people refuse to fly, dine out, buy a house, sign important documents, or even make major decisions, resulting in estimated losses of $800 to $900 million on this day alone.
Triskaidekaphobia: Fear of the Number 13
The fear of the number 13, known as triskaidekaphobia, is common enough that it affects many areas of daily life. For some, Friday the 13th combines two superstitions—Friday as an unlucky day and 13 as an unlucky number—creating a “double whammy” of misfortune. Even notable figures such as Napoleon and President Herbert Hoover reportedly had a fear of the number 13. When it comes specifically to Friday the 13th, the proper term is “friggatriskaidekaphobia” or “paraskevidekatriaphobia.” Henry Ford refused to conduct business on this day, and Franklin D. Roosevelt avoided travel on it.
How Does the Number 13 Affect Our Lives?
The number 13’s negative reputation has permeated many aspects of society:
- Many buildings skip labeling a 13th floor.
- Hospitals may avoid having a room number 13.
- Some airports exclude a gate 13.
- Cities may not have a 13th Street or Avenue.
- In Florence, Italy, house addresses between 12 and 14 are labeled as 12 1/2.
- The ancient Babylonian Code of Hammurabi skipped the number 13.
- The Knights Templar were arrested on Friday, October 13, 1307, further cementing the date’s ill-fated reputation.
People even modify their behavior around the number. For example, some hosts avoid seating 13 guests at a table, while in France, a 14th guest, called a “quatorzain,” would sometimes be invited to avoid an unlucky gathering of 13. At sea, skippers are known to avoid sailing with a crew of 12, which, including the captain, would total 13.
A History of Unlucky Events
There are plenty of events that seem to bolster the unlucky reputation of Friday the 13th:
- Stock Market: On Friday, October 13, 1989, Wall Street experienced the “Friday the 13th mini-crash.”
- Apollo 13: The ill-fated lunar mission suffered a catastrophic oxygen tank explosion.
- Natural Disasters: Australia’s biggest wildfire, Florida’s Hurricane Charley, and Kansas’s “Great Flood of 1951” all struck on Friday the 13th.
Is Friday the 13th Really That Bad?
Despite all the hype, Friday the 13th isn’t all doom and gloom. In fact, studies suggest it might be safer than you think. A 2008 insurance report from the Netherlands found that Friday the 13th had fewer car accidents, fires, and thefts compared to other days. The reasoning? People may be more cautious on this day, leading to fewer incidents.
For some, Friday the 13th can be a lucky day. For example, a British couple won $17 million in the lottery on Friday the 13th, the same day their mirror broke at home!
Turning Friday the 13th into a Good Day
Luck is often about perspective and preparation. Here are a few ways to make Friday the 13th your lucky day:
- Start your day on the right foot: Literally get out of bed on the right side.
- Carry a lucky charm: Keep something meaningful in your pocket.
- Embrace the number 13: Declare it your lucky number.
- Pet a black cat: Defy the superstition and enjoy the soothing purr.
- Avoid unnecessary risks: Stick to common sense.
- Try wearing clothes inside out: Maybe just your socks for fun!
Did You Know?
The iconic Hollywood sign, which originally read “HOLLYWOODLAND,” was unveiled on Friday, July 13, 1923, and has since become a global symbol of the entertainment industry.
By reframing our perspective, we can see that while Friday the 13th has a reputation for being unlucky, it’s up to us to decide how to approach the day—with dread or with a little lightheartedness.
If you have a few minutes to ‘kill’, have a look at these two videos.
Friday the 13th Legends, Myths and Superstitions
Ten Ways to Lift the Evil Eye
It is bad luck to fall out of a thirteenth story window on Friday.
~ American Proverb
After every Friday 13th, comes a Saturday 14th – it’s the weekend!