Friday the 13th — Fear, Facts, and Superstitions

Friday the 13th is often called an unlucky day. Many people believe that bad things are more likely to happen on this date. This idea is called a superstition. A superstition is a belief that something will happen even though there is no real proof.

The number 13 has been considered unlucky for hundreds of years. Some people connect it to stories from the Bible. For example, some believe Eve ate the forbidden fruit on the 13th day. Others point out that 13 people were present at the Last Supper before Good Friday. Because of this belief, some hotels and tall buildings were even built without a 13th floor.

However, Friday and the number 13 were not linked together until the 1900s. In 1907, author Thomas Lawson wrote a book called Friday, the Thirteenth. The story was about a stock broker who caused the stock market to crash on that day. Later, the idea became even more popular because of the Friday the 13th horror movies. First released in 1980, the films tell the story of Jason Voorhees, who wears a hockey mask and scares people at Crystal Lake.

Even though many people fear this day, there is no real evidence that Friday the 13th is more dangerous than any other day. In fact, some studies show it may actually be safer. People may drive more carefully or pay closer attention because they feel nervous. Some people even find it lucky. Flights and weddings may cost less on Friday the 13th because fewer people choose that date. In the future, the 13th will fall on a Friday more often than on any other day of the week.

Friday the 13th — Superstition, History, and Pop Culture

Friday the 13th is considered a day in which bad things occur. It is a superstition. A superstition is a belief of something ominous without actual reason. The origin of this superstition is unclear. Both Friday and the number 13 have been considered unlucky for hundreds of years. Bad luck associated with the number 13 may have biblical roots. Some believe Eve bit the apple from the Tree of Knowledge on the 13th day. Others point to the idea that there were 13 people present for Jesus’s Last Supper, the day before Good Friday. The number 13 was considered so unlucky, that many hotels and buildings were built without a 13th floor!

It wasn’t until the 20th century, however, that Friday and “13” were paired together in bad luck. In 1907, author Thomas Lawson wrote Friday, the Thirteenth. The book was about a stock broker who purposely caused the stock market to crash on that day. The Friday the 13th superstition, however, gained serious traction with the Friday the 13th horror film series. Originally released in 1980, the story centers around the “ghost” of Jason Voorhees. In the movie, Jason, with his iconic hockey mask, hunts the hapless characters who come to vacation at Crystal Lake – the lake he drowned in as a child. Twelve movies later, the Friday the 13th series remains one of the most successful horror film franchises in history.

Is Friday the 13th actually unlucky compared to other days? Not really. There is no actual evidence to suggest that events that have occurred on Friday the 13th throughout history are worse than events that have occurred on other days. Some studies have shown that Friday the 13th is actually safer than other days, because people are more anxious and attentive. People may actually find Friday the 13th to be lucky. It is thought that air travel is cheaper and booking a wedding is much cheaper on Friday the 13th than other days. It is clear, however, that Friday the 13th will be around for a long time. Over the next 4,800 months, the 13th will occur on Friday more than any other day!