Do you remember the famous Friday The 13th franchise movies that were released in 1980? Well, there’s a reason why people are so terrified by this day and consider it to be the unlucky and inauspicious day. Friday the 13th is considered to be an unlucky day in Western superstition. For those who are unaware of Friday the 13th, for them, it might just seem like any other day. But if you look at this year’s calendar, you would realize that today is Friday the 13th -- in fact, the last of the decade. Fun fact, (don’t if you consider this as fun) according to Wikipedia if you fear Friday the 13th then the term for that is said to be paraskevidekatriaphobia.
History:
The irrational fear of the number 13 has been given a scientific term such as, ‘triskaidekaphobia’ and from the Greek words Paraskeví meaning Friday, and dekatreís which means thirteen. The superstition surrounding this day may have arisen in the Middle Ages, originating from the story of Jesus' last supper. The idea treads back to the time when Judas, who was the 13th man to join the table at the Last Supper betrayed Jesus, the night before his death on Good Friday. Friday is also considered to be the day when Eve gave the apple from the Tree of Knowledge to Adam, unleashing the sins into the world. It is said that this is the day when Cain killed his brother, Abel.
Significance:
Since the day is considered to be unlucky, it is believed that accidents and unlucky mishaps usually and more frequently occur on this date. It is not necessary which month this date comes but Friday the 13th is considered to be cursed.
Friday The 13th Unlucky:
There are some cultures that have considered to be number 13 as an Oman. It is said that number 12 is associated with completeness as there are 12 days of Christmas, 12 months, 12 zodiac signs, 12 gods of Olympus but number 13 is associated with Judas, Christ’s betrayer. As number 13 is associated with Judas, Christ’s betrayer and bad things happen on that day, people have noticed big events that have shaken the nation. It is said that King Philip IV of France arrested hundreds of Knights Templar on Friday 13.
Image source: physics