Friday the 13th is considered unlucky in a number of cultures, including English, Portuguese, and German. Some people develop a phobia associated with Friday the 13th (paraskavedekatriaphobia). These people may be so paralyzed with fear that they are unable to get out of bed on that day. Where did the notion that Friday and/or the number 13 are unlucky come from?
Unlucky Friday
In the Christian faith, Jesus was crucified and died on Good Friday. This is not the only instance in which Friday was a day when tragic events occurred. Adam and Eve ate the apple from the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden on a Friday. The Great Flood that Noah and his family members survived by building an ark started on a Friday. The Temple of Solomon was also destroyed on a Friday.
Friday as a Holy Day
Another explanation for Friday being considered an unlucky day may be that some pre-Christian cultures considered Fridays to be holy days. The name "Friday" is a derivative of the name of a Norse god of marriage and fertility. For this reason, Friday was considered to be a good day for weddings.
As time went on, the Norse god was transformed into a witch. The witch was said to be accompanied by a sacred cat, which may explain the connection between witches and cats that exists in folklore to this day. The legend about black cats being a bringer of bad luck may have originated here as well.
In ancient Roman times, Friday was the day when executions took place. This custom carried forward into England, where Friday was known as "Hangman's Day."
The Number 13 as an Unlucky Number
Jesus and his 12 disciples sat down to eat together for the Last Supper. Shortly afterward, Judas betrayed Jesus to the Romans. A number of people believe that 13 people at the dinner table is unlucky.
The ancient Egyptians believed that a person's life on Earth had 12 stages and that death was the 13th stage. Death was accepted as a part of the journey and the number 13 did not have a negative connotation to these people. As human history has evolved and death became something to be feared, the number 13 has taken on a more sinister meaning.
An Unlucky Day?
Is Friday the 13th an unlucky day? Perhaps we are more likely to remember something negative that happens on that day because we are waiting for something to happen. On the other hand, there is nothing wrong with being careful, is there?
