Friday the 13th – Why Is It Considered Unlucky?
Friday the 13th is the most famous superstition in the Western world. Many people avoid traveling, signing contracts or making important decisions on this day, and the fear of Friday the 13th is so widespread that it even has its own name – paraskevidekatriaphobia. But where does the belief that this day brings bad luck actually come from?
The Origin of the Fear of Number 13
The fear of the number 13 (triskaidekaphobia) is older than the fear of Friday itself. In many cultures, the number 12 is considered a number of perfection and completeness – 12 months, 12 apostles, 12 zodiac signs – so the number 13 disturbs that harmony and is seen as an excess that brings disorder. Norse mythology tells of a feast in Valhalla where Loki arrived uninvited as the thirteenth guest, after which the beloved god Baldur was killed. At the Last Supper, the thirteenth person at the table was Judas, who betrayed Jesus.
Why Friday?
In Christian tradition, Friday is associated with the day of the crucifixion, and according to some accounts, with the day Adam and Eve were expelled from paradise. In the Middle Ages, Friday was considered an unfavorable day to begin a journey, hold a wedding or start new business. When these two separate beliefs – an unlucky number and an unlucky day – merged, the most powerful superstition of the modern age was born.
Friday, October 13th, 1307 is often mentioned as well – the day King Philip IV of France ordered the arrest of the Knights Templar – although historians believe this story was linked to the superstition only much later.
How Do People Protect Themselves on Friday the 13th?
Many protective rituals and amulets are connected with this day. Some carry a four-leaf clover or a horseshoe, others avoid black cats and walking under ladders, and many simply postpone important decisions to another day. Some buildings still have no 13th floor, and certain airlines have no 13th row of seats.
Interestingly, unlucky days look different in other cultures: in Spain and Greece it is Tuesday the 13th that causes fear, and in Italy Friday the 17th – proof that superstition always reflects the culture in which it was born.
Learn more about the symbolism of numbers in our Number Meaning section, and about protective objects in the Amulets section.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does paraskevidekatriaphobia mean?
Paraskevidekatriaphobia is the name for the fear of Friday the 13th. It comes from the Greek words paraskeví (Friday) and dekatreís (thirteen).
How often does Friday the 13th occur?
Friday the 13th occurs at least once and at most three times a year. The 13th day of the month actually falls on a Friday slightly more often than on any other day of the week.
Is Friday the 13th unlucky everywhere?
No. In Spain, Greece and Latin American countries, Tuesday the 13th is considered unlucky, and in Italy it is Friday the 17th. In China, for example, the unlucky number is 4, not 13.
