Today, as the world marks another Friday the 13th, many people are feeling a sense of unease or even fear. This superstition, which has been around for centuries, is rooted in a combination of historical, cultural, and psychological factors.
Friday the 13th is a date many people see as unlucky. The fear surrounding it has developed over hundreds of years, but in reality, it’s just another day on the calendar. The idea of Friday the 13th being unlucky comes from old stories and traditions, especially in Western culture.
Origins of the Superstition
The number 13 has often been seen as unlucky in Western culture. Some people believe this goes back to the Bible, where Judas, who betrayed Jesus, was the 13th guest at the Last Supper. Friday also has negative associations, as some believe it was the day Eve tempted Adam with the forbidden fruit and the day Jesus was crucified.
Other cultures view 13 differently. In some countries, the number 13 is lucky. For instance, Tuesday the 13th in Spain is considered the day to dread. And in Italy, people fear the 17th day of any month. Why? Because the Roman numeral XVII (17) can be rearranged to spell “VIXI,” which means “my life is over” in Latin. But, like in the United States, no one can prove that more terrible things occur on those days, either.
The Power of Fear
Over time, people started connecting Friday and the number 13, and the fear of this day called “paraskevidekatriaphobia,” became widespread. Some avoid travelling, cancel important plans, or act more cautiously when this day comes around. This fear can even affect businesses, as some people avoid spending money or going to work on Friday the 13th, costing the economy millions of dollars.
A Modern Myth
While many still believe Friday the 13th brings bad luck. Studies show no real increase in accidents or bad events on this day. In fact, fear of the day mostly comes from old stories and modern media, including horror movies like the Friday the 13th series, which made the day even scarier in popular culture.
Reclaiming the Day
People who are super afraid on Friday the 13th might have a condition called triskaidekaphobia (pronounced trihs-keye-dek-uh-FOE-bee-uh). It is a fear of the number 13. (Any extreme or irrational fear of something is called a phobia). The word comes from ancient Greek and translates to “fear of the number 13.”
So, next time Friday the 13th comes around, remember: there’s nothing to fear, except fear itself!
