10 Facts About The Unluckiest Day In The Calendar: Friday The 13th!

May 13, 2016

2 minutes read

Yet another Friday the 13th has arrived, bringing the usual superstitious chatter along with vows to avoid flying and other fear-inducing activities. Friday the 13th is considered an unlucky day in Western superstition. It occurs when the 13th day of the month in the Gregorian calendar falls on a Friday. Whether you think it’s unlucky or not, cross your fingers and check out these 10 facts about Friday the 13th.

1. The Superstition’s Origins Are Mysterious.

It’s unclear when Friday and number 13 became linked in the way we think of them today. There are no mentions of Friday the 13th before the 19th century.

2. Friday and 13 Are Associated With Jesus’ Crucifixion

While it is not proven, many historians believe that the origin of 13 being an unlucky number grew from the story of The Last Supper. Jesus had 13 guests at his last meal, and the 13th guest was Judas. Jesus was then crucified on a Friday. This is what has been pieced together over the years to explain where Friday the 13th got its bad rap.

3. It’s An Unlucky Day Only For Some

Friday the 13th is not universally seen as a day of misery. For example, in Italy, Friday the 17th and not Friday the 13th is considered to be a day that brings bad luck. In fact, the number 13 is considered to be a lucky number!

4. Frighteningly Entertaining

The 13th film in the “Friday the 13th” franchise is being developed by Paramount Pictures, with a 2017 release date. The CW network has a TV series inspired by the movies in the works. A new Friday the 13th video game is being funded via Kickstarter.

5. Calendar Fact.

Whenever January 1st falls on a Thursday (except in Leap Years), February, March, and November will all have a Friday the 13th. This will happen 11 times in the 21st century. If January 1st, of a Leap Year, falls on a Sunday, the months of January, April, and July will each have a Friday the 13th.

6. History Fact

In the year 1307, King Phillip IV of France commanded that hundreds of Templar Knights be arrested on, you guessed it, Friday the 13th. They were tortured and burned alive. Keep in mind that, prior to the decree that the Templars were “enemies of the faith,” they were strongly rooted in French support.

7. This Date Has Its Own Official Phobia.

Fear of Friday the 13th is paraskevidekatriaphobia, or friggatriskaidekaphobia, named for the Norse goddess Frigga, who gave her name to Friday in Norse myth. This phobia is a recognized phenomenon. Just don’t ask me how to say it.

8. Bad Things Can Happen.

The movie “Alive” is based on the true story of a plane crash in South America on Friday, October 13, 1972. Fourteen survivors were found in the mountains more than two months after the plane went down.

9. Tuesday Is Also Terrifying.

In some Spanish-speaking countries, Tuesday (Martes) the 13th is considered bad luck. Tuesday is feared because it is the day of the week associated with the Roman god of war, Mars. There is a cautionary saying: “On Tuesdays, don’t get married, don’t take a trip and don’t leave your home.”

10. Bonus Fact: 13 Is Taylor Swift’s Lucky Number.

“I was born on the 13th. I turned 13 on Friday the 13th. My first album went gold in 13 weeks. My first #1 song had a 13-second intro,” the singer told MTV in an interview in 2009.