The Real Reason Why Is Friday The 13th Considered Unlucky

In today’s discussion of ‘myth or reality’, we explore the infamous Friday the 13th. Its long-standing association with doom and misfortune had left many crippled with fear of ‘what might happen!’ Maybe not everyone but a large section of the Western population is convinced of the ominous nature of this day. So, why is Friday the 13th unlucky?

Well, the whys are a little vague although its impacts spread across countries and cultures. The 13th of the month and Fridays overlap rarely, once or twice every year, sometimes thrice. The basis of Friday the 13th is rooted in religious doctrine and word-of-mouth tales. Dig deeper and you may find traces of historical events at the end of the tunnel. Join us as we deconstruct the origin of the Friday 13th for our readers. 

Why Is Friday The 13th Considered Unlucky? 

Believers go to great lengths to ensure auspicious events don’t clash with this day. Research shows that the stock market takes a hit, with the economic setback of an estimated $900 in the USA every Friday the 13th. Some would delay major purchases, cancel their air tickets, and even avoid stepping outside the door altogether to ward off any ramifications. 

And for what? Is this merely widespread paranoia, or are there legitimate reasons for concern? Prepare to uncover the legend behind Friday the 13th through a lens of intriguing facts and trivia:

1. Friday the 13th and its Connection to Christianity

Some draw a parallel between the number 13 being eternally damned to The Last Supper. Biblical references elucidate that Jesus Christ shared one final meal with his 12 disciples on Maundy Thursday. Judas arrived last which made him the 13th person present at the table. Shortly after the supper, Jesus was deceived and taken captive, all because of Judas’ backstabbing, and crucified the following day—on a Friday. Ever since then, 13 has been tainted by the shadow of betrayal. 

Further associations date back to the Creation. In the Garden of Eden, Eve offered Adam that apple on a Friday. Their first child Cain killed his brother Abel on yet another Friday. Theologically speaking, Fridays never stood a chance before Lady Luck.

2. Influences of Nordic mythology on Fridays that fall on the 13th

Norse God Loki was an embodiment of trickery and mischief. In his quest to avenge Odin, he targeted Odin’s invincible son, Balder, who was susceptible only to mistletoe. 

Loki crashed a dinner party held in Asgard and tricked Balder’s blind brother, Hodor, into shooting him with an arrow crafted from mistletoe. Balder was cherished among the gods as a symbol of light, joy, and forgiveness. His death cast darkness and despair in the world, making a turning point in Norse mythology.

Here comes the twist in the story. That night there were 12 deities seated at that table. Loki’s intrusion made him the 13th. His treachery gave rise to another enduring taboo: the belief that 13 people gathered around a table for a meal brings bad luck.

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3. Fall of Knights Templars

The Knights Templars were an elite force of Catholic soldiers trained and equipped to protect Christian interests. French King Philip IV suspected the Templars of supporting a rebellion and other unwarranted activities and arrested them on Friday, 13th October, 1307. 

Many of them were subjected to brutal torture and, eventually, death. The date and year of this mass execution inevitably ignites the stigma behind 13 being one of the most unlucky numbers. 

4. Numerological impacts of the number 13

If you take numerological significance into account, you cannot overlook the value of number 12 as a hallmark of closure and fulfillment. The 12 Olympian Gods, 12 apostles of Jesus, 12 zodiac signs, 12 months of the Gregorian calendar, and 12 labors of Hercules—all carry a harmonious resonance. 

Number 13, unfortunately, is quite antithetical to 12’s wholesomeness. 13 is disruptive; 13 always ushers in the storm. 

5. Mention of unlucky Friday 13th in print 

The earliest written mention of Friday the 13th can be traced back to an 1834 play Les Finesses des Gribouilles. In it, a character blames the date for his life’s never-ending misery, “I was born on a Friday, December 13th, 1813 from which come all of my misfortunes”.

The speculation about this unlucky day again resurfaces in American poet John G. Saxe’s poem “The Good Dog of Brette”. A sweet dog had his tail cut off by a ruthless butcher on a Friday, or as Friday is described in Saxe’s exact words, “But  once,  on  a  Friday  (’tis  ever,  they say,/ A  day  when  misfortune  is  aptest  to fall)…”

The contemporary wave of negativity associated with Friday the 13th owes much to Thomas Lawson’s 1907 novel of the same name. The story centers on a financial broker from New York who exploits the widespread vulnerability around this day to collapse the stock market. No wonder the book sold like hotcakes!

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6. Pop culture origin 

In recent years, the slasher film Friday the 13th has refreshed the ill reputation of number 13 as a harbinger of misfortune. It depicts the horrific murders of a flock of young counselors camping by Crystal Lake. The mystery killer is revealed to be Pamela Voorhees, a local woman seeking revenge for the drowning of his son Jason. 

With 11 sequels, TV series, comic books, and video games, the entire franchise perpetuates the idea of why number 13 is considered unlucky.

What Actually Happened On Friday The 13th?

Following the trail of historical events, one can conclude that the conviction of Friday the 13th is standing on a fragile foundation. There’s no solid evidence or scientific explanation to justify why Friday the 13th is so feared. It’s sheer prejudice to label people unlucky for being born on this day. 

Now the question arises—do bad things happen on Friday the 13th at all? There is no denying that some scattered incidents have contributed to the stigma over the years. For instance:

• March 13, 2020: The official outbreak of coronavirus in USA
• August 13, 2013: A 13-year-old boy was hit by lightning at exactly 13:13 in Suffolk England, although he survived
• October 13, 1989: A huge crash in the stock market
• October 13, 1972: Double plane crash—the Andes crash and another in Russia

However, one can easily entertain the notion that all these incidents are pure coincidences. It’s just another irrational fear like the broken mirror superstition. 

Myth Busted—Not All Fridays On The 13th Are Unlucky

Fear of Friday the 13th is predominantly a Western superstition. In India or China, number 13 is often viewed in a positive, prosperous light. This discussion won’t be complete without mentioning the man who unmasked the reality of it some 150 years ago. 

Yes, we are talking about Captain William Fowler of the US Army. Throughout his schooling and adult life, number 13 remained a recurring motif yet it never stood in his way of leading a happy, successful life. 

Determined to defy the stigma, Fowler founded The Thirteen Club with 12 other associates. The club had their first meeting on Friday, January 13, 1882, at exactly 8:13 pm. To free society of superstitions, they fearlessly participated in dicey activities considered unlucky in Fowler’s time. Despite their rebellion, they never faced any dreadful consequences. 

Now that the myth behind ‘why is Friday the 13th unlucky?’ is debunked, do you think you will feel confident enough to travel overseas on the next Friday the 13th? After all, there’s a reason such crippling fears are called phobias; they are inherently irrational. This particular one comes with a rather fancy name, ‘Friggatriskaidekaphobia’. 

Stay with us as we continue to unravel more myths in this series. Sometimes, all it takes is a rational nudge to bring one out into the light of reason.