History & Superstitions on Friday The 13th - Why is Friday the 13th Unlucky

"One of my neighbors was yelling at the security guards. Since they were my immediate neighbors, I asked him what was the matter. He told me that his laptop was missing. He had left it in his living room before going out for a walk in the morning; leaving the entrance door ajar. I also overhead his wife telling one of the neighbors that today is Friday the 13th and things can go wrong today. It is then I realized that the day was Friday and the date was 13th. Frankly speaking, it had sent a chill down my back. On the way to the office I told my husband the happenings and how I felt about it. He simply brushed it aside by telling me it is superstition. However, I could not get it out of my mind."

Friday the 13th Phobia

There is a lot of speculation about the day Friday the 13th globally. Many consider the number 13th and Friday the 6th day of the week to bring bad luck. Though many believe in Friday the 13th as an unlucky day, there are many groups who defy such thoughts and superstitions. Some activities like cutting your nails, shifting to a new house, commencing a new venture are avoided by many on Fridays. It may surprise you to know that some people avoid traveling on Fridays. There are many stories and myths attached with this date.

Do the terms "triskaidekaphobia"and paraskevidekatriaphobia" mean anything to you? Have you come across these terms?

• Triskaidekaphobia means fear of the number 13.
• Paraskevidekatriaphobia

is the fear of Friday the 13th. Dr. Donald Dossey, an American psychotherapist, coined these terms. There are many people who are treated for these phobias. It is believed that some people would completely paralyze their daily activities and reschedule their important business meetings and travel plans to another day. A loss of millions of dollars is recorded on this day. Friday the 13th is the day for many to laze around within the premises of one’s home because of the fear of bad luck striking them.

Psychotherapists are of the opinion that people who are insecure are the ones who are superstitious enough to believe that Friday the 13th is an unlucky day. However, it is the belief and the superstitions instilled in childhood that control his/her faith.

Legends of Friday the 13th

There are many legends connected with the ominous number 13 and why Friday was considered to be an unlucky day. Ancient Egyptians considered the number 13 as symbol of death. Remember that ancient Egyptians believed in life after death. There are many folklores connected with Friday the 13th being an unlucky day. The story given below will give you an idea why people consider the number 13 as a sinister number during the Medieval Age.

According to the Norse myths, once upon a time at Valhalla, the heaven of the Norse Gods, Gods were invited for a party by Balder - the God of Joy and Gladness. There were 12 Norse Gods, including Balder, partying. When the party was in full swing the God of Mischief Loki walked in. He was the uninvited 13th god. He showed his anger by arranging Hoder, the blind God of Darkness to kill Balder with a poisonous mistletoe arrow. It is believed that the Earth plunged into darkness and evil took over the reign. This could be one of the reasons why some people consider number 13 to be ominous and unlucky.

Friday is also considered to be unlucky by the believers of Christianity. Some believe Jesus Christ was crucified on this day. There is also another belief that Friday was the day that Eve tempted Adam to eat the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. Christians around the world believe that number 13 brings ill luck because there were 13 people at "The Last Supper" (also known as known as the Lord’s supper was the last meal Jesus had with his 12 Apostles). Another significant reason is it was on Friday the 13th that Cain was slain by Abel. According to the old testament of the bible, it was on a Friday that God tongue-tied the builders of the Tower of Babel; it is also believed that the Great flood of the Greek myth in which Noah is the hero began on a Friday; and the Temple of Solomon was demolished on a Friday. The above-mentioned facts and myths are more than enough to believe Friday coupled with 13th date of a month unleashes evil and brings ill luck.

Why is Friday the 13th Considered an Unlucky day - A Historical Fact

Beliefs and superstitions that Friday the 13th brings bad luck saw no bounds in the Middle Ages. The historical records say that Jaques de Molay Grand Master of the Templars was arrested on October 13th, 1307 AD - a Friday. Eventually he was executed in 1314 AD. Hence, Friday the 13th, is considered to be an unlucky day in Europe.

The superstitions about Friday the 13th of any month has been passed over from one generation to another. Hence, even today, many do not dare to venture outside their house, travel and launch new business. They prefer to bear the losses than be a victim of ill luck. The wedding dates will not be set on this day. Friday the 13th is called as the devils day. This day symbolizes death and is considered to be unlucky.

To sum up, the luck and ill-luck factor of Friday the 13th solely depends on the beliefs that were inculcated in a person during his growing up days.