Why is Friday, the 13th Considered to be Unlucky?

Friday the 13thIt’s Friday. Yeah! It’s Friday, the 13th! Oh no. Why do we fear Friday, the 13th?

Number 13

  • The number 13 is an unlucky number because it is an irregular and is the number of witches needed to form a coven.
  • The number 12 is considered a complete number (12 hours, 12 tribes of Israel, 12 apostles, 12 successors of Muhammed, 12 signs of the Zodiac, etc…) Thirteen upsets the basket!
  • Nordic legend says that 12 gods had a dinner party and that the 13th guest (a god of mischief) arranged for the god of joy to be shot, thus bringing the world into mourning.
  • Christians site that Judas was the 13th guest at the last supper.

Friday

  • Biblical references: Jesus Christ was crucified on a Friday. Cain killed Abel on a Friday.
  • Friday was the day people were hanged in Britain.
  • Sailors setting sail have historically avoided Fridays for their journeys.
  • Canterbury Tales (14th century) says: “And on a Friday fell all this mischance.”

Interesting Friday the 13th Facts

  • Less people travel on this day
  • Friggatriskaidekaphobia is the fear of Friday the 13th

Read more about Friday the 13th here.

Enjoy your Friday!