Categories: History

Behind the Superstition: Friday the 13th

This year, April 13^th falls on a Friday. On this day, many people may believe their luck is in jeopardy. Friday the 13^th is said to be the most unlucky day, but have you ever thought where this superstition was started and why? The history behind the superstition has both Christian and pagan roots and is an extension of the phobia of the number 13, triskaidekaphobia. The phobia of Friday the 13^th is known as paraskavedekatriaphobia.

Biblical Roots

The Biblical roots of Friday the 13^th are often thought to come from three main events. The first event is when Eve tempted Adam to eat the apple. It is believed this incident happened on a Friday, making Fridays unlucky days. Another Biblical tradition believes the Great Flood and the confusion at the Tower of Babel both began on Fridays.

The main origin behind the superstition of Friday the 13th, in the Bible, comes from the last days of Jesus’ life on earth. There were 13 people present at the Last Supper. It is believed by many Christians that Jesus was crucified on a Friday, known as Good Friday. With the significance of both the number 13 and the day of the week, Friday, both had become viewed as unlucky. It is believed this superstition more than likely began in the medieval times.

Norse Legend

It is believed that Friday the 13^th superstition began as a Norse myth. The Norse myth was about twelve gods who were feasting in Valhalla, when an uninvited guest decided to crash the party. Loki, the uninvited guest, brought the total guest list to 13. Loki had made arrangements for the blind god of darkness, Hod, to shoot Baldur, the god of joy and gladness, with an arrow made of mistletoe. Baldur died and as a result of his death, the Earth was plunged into total darkness and mourning.

According to Norse legend, ‘Friday’ came from the goddess of marriage, Frigg or Frigga. Over the course of time, Frigg was confused with Freya, the goddess of love, thus identifying Friday with Freya. After the Norsemen and Germanic tribes turned to Christianity, Freya was banished to the mountains and declared a witch. After this banishment, Friday became known as the “witches” Sabbath. According to Norse legend, every Friday, there would be twelve witches who would meet with the Devil leaving a total of 13 evil spirits present.

Knights Templar

The Knights Templar holds an origin of the evil behind Friday the 13^th superstitions. According to the history of the Knights Templar, the Grand Master, Jaques de Molay, and about sixty of his high ranking knights were arrested on October 13, 1307, which happened to fall on a Friday, by King Philip IV of France. On this day, not only were Jaques de Molay and his high ranking knights arrested, but thousands of supporters of the Knights Templar were also arrested and tortured. The members of the Knights Templar, who were arrested, confessed and were executed. Since October 13, 1307, Friday the 13^th was deemed to be an evil and very unlucky day by those who supported the Knights Templar.

There you have it, the history of Friday the 13^th. It is pretty interesting how the superstition came to life. Below you will find some random facts about the superstition of Friday the 13^th and the number 13.

Random Facts

The HMS Friday was launched on Friday the 13^th during the 18^th century. The ship was never heard from again. Since this incident, ships are not launched very often on Friday the 13^th.

Most hospitals and hotels will skip over the number 13 when numbering rooms.

80 percent of all skyscrapers skip over the 13^th floor.

In the Bible, the number 12 is said to be a lucky number, thus the number which follows, 13, is considered evil.

Airplanes omit the 13^th aisle.

People who believe Friday the 13^th will bring bad luck or bad events, those events will become true because they have created their own bad luck.

Many cities do not have a 13^th Street, instead will use 12^th Place.

In Italy, the lottery has omitted the number 13 from all tickets.

Many airports skip the 13^th gate.