| The fear surrounding the number 13 actually does predate the Bible. However, it is believed that the Last Supper has inspired the widespread phobia that now surrounds the number 13 and Friday the 13th. Jesus Christ has 12 disciples, with Judas being the 13th person at the Last Supper. It was at this meal that Jesus revealed he would be betrayed and crucified. The meal was held on a Friday. The superstition surrounding the number 13 began to grow after the death of Jesus. Some scholars trace the fear of the number 13 to a Norse myth in which 12 gods were said to have shared a dinner. When an uninvited and evil 13th god arrived, a god named Loki, Loki ended up tricking one of the gods into killing another god. The fear of bad luck connected to the number 13 continues to this very day. For example, over 80% of all apartment buildings lack a 13th floor. A good number of airports do not have a gate 13. Most hotels and hospitals do not have a 13th floor or a room 13. These are all findings of the Phobia Institute of North Carolina. One of the more common fears surrounding the number 13 is that trips should not be started on Friday the 13th. That fear soared in the 18th century when the ship HMS departed from England on Friday the 13th and was never seen again. Ships generally do not set sail on Friday the 13th any longer. Indeed, some insurance companies have refused to insure a ship that was scheduled to depart on Friday the 13th. In more recent times, Apollo 13 was the ill fated space mission that almost didn't return to Earth from the Moon. 1 out of every 10 Americans states that they will alter their schedules and routines on Friday the 13th. Some experts maintain that about $1 billion in business is lost each every Friday the 13th.
In many cultures, Friday falling on 13th day of any month is considered unlucky, especially in English, German, Polish and Portuguese-speaking cultures. Similar superstition exists in some other traditions.
History of Friday the 13th:
There is no such historical date, which could be officially identified as an origin for the superstition. Long before the 20th century, there was evidence that the number 13 was considered an unlucky number and Friday was considered an unlucky day, however there was no connection between these two superstitions. In general, the first official mention of “Friday the 13th” belongs in the beginning of the 1900s.
However, many popular stories exist about the origination of the concept:
Friday the 13th in October 1066 was the last day of the supremacy of Saxon King Harold II. On this day, William suggested Harold to concede the crown, but Harold rejected the offer. A battle took place in Hastings on next day (Saturday 14th October, 1066). Harold was killed in the battle and William took control of England.
Many modern histories (including the Da Vinci Code) confirm that, King Phillip IV arrested and executed the majority of the Knights Templar. Their arrest was organized simultaneously on Friday, October 13, 1307. And this event gave rise to the legend about the unlucky Friday the 13th. |
Superstitions bring bad luck, so I personally don't believe in them. The bitch of it is - superstitions work either you believe in them or not. Still I am not superstitious except on the days ending with "y", and except on the dates fully divisible by 0.5 . As (bad) luck would have it today is such a day - Friday the 13. The day which I personally learned some of the superstitions work either you believe in them or not:
