Friday the 13th is a day that many people in Western culture associate with bad luck and misfortune. There are different theories and myths about the origins of this superstition, but no definitive answer. Here are some of the possible explanations:
The superstition that Friday the 13th is unlucky may have originated from the Last Supper, a Christian tradition in which Jesus and his 12 disciples gathered for a meal. The 13th guest was Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus. This association has led to the belief that having 13 people at a table is unlucky.
Friday the 13th is considered an unlucky day, like other superstitions such as black cats crossing your path, broken mirrors, and eye twitching. In 2023, there are two Friday the 13ths, one in January and one today.
According to Wikipedia, 2015 had three Friday the 13ths, one in February, March, and November. This will happen again in 2026. 2017 had two Friday the 13ths, while 2016, 2021, and 2022 each had only one.
The number 13 and the date Friday the 13th have long been associated with bad luck, even before they were linked together. Many cultures have stories of dreadful events happening on this date or involving this number.
One of the most famous examples is the Last Supper, where Jesus Christ and his 12 disciples gathered for a meal. Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus, arrived as the 13th guest. The next day, Jesus was crucified on Good Friday.
According to CNN, the number 13 has been associated with bad luck in many cultures for centuries. In Norse mythology, the number of gods at a dinner in Valhalla increased to 13 when the mischievous god Loki barged in. Loki then tricked the blind god Hodr into killing his brother Balder, the god of light, joy, and kindness.
In the Bible, Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge on a Friday. Friday is also the day when Cain killed his brother Abel, the Temple of Solomon was destroyed, and Noah’s ark sailed during the Great Flood.
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Some people believe that having a name with 13 letters is unlucky. National Day Calendars reports that several notorious criminals, including Adolfus Hitler, Saddam Hussein, Osama bin Laden, and Charles Manson, all have names with 13 letters.
In Greece and Spanish-speaking countries, Tuesday the 13th is considered unlucky, while in Italy, Friday the 17th is considered unlucky. However, some people consider the number 13 to be lucky. For example, popular singer Taylor Swift was born on the 13th, turned 13 on Friday the 13th, and had her first album go gold in 13 weeks. She has also said that she has won awards while seated in the 13th seat, the 13th row, the 13th section, or row M, which is the 13th letter.
