Most people think of Friday the 13th as just another day on the calendar. For others, it’s a day steeped in apprehension, a day to tread lightly, postpone major decisions, or even stay home. This often lighthearted dread has a formal name: paraskevidekatriaphobia, the fear of Friday the 13th. The roots of this superstition are a fascinating blend of ancient fears, historical events, and psychological tendencies.
We live with the Gregorian calendar, Introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582. It is a truly manmade construct. Without it, we wouldn’t have the cinematic behemoth that is the Friday the 13th franchise. There is at least one Friday the 13th each year, but it can occur up to three times in a single year.
For millennia, the number 13 has carried a negative connotation, leading to fear of it. At the Last Supper, Judas Iscariot, the betrayer of Jesus, was the 13th guest to arrive. Norse mythology tells a tale of 12 gods feasting in Valhalla when the mischievous god Loki, the 13th arrival, showed up to orchestrate the death of the beloved god Balder.
Once developers started building tall hotels and office complexes, they omitted the 13th floor entirely. You were elevated from the 12th to the 14th floor—all to accommodate the superstitious among us.
Although tragedies occur daily throughout the year, a few on a Friday the 13th are often remembered. On October 13, 1972, a Uruguayan Air Force flight crashed into the Andes mountains, and the survivors were forced to resort to cannibalism to stay alive until their rescue 72 days later.
On October 13, 1989, the stock market experienced a significant drop after a failed buyout of United Airlines, causing a ripple effect throughout the markets.
January 13, 2012, the Italian cruise ship Costa Concordia capsized off the coast of Giglio Island in Italy, leading to the deaths of 32 people.
On March 13, 2020, the Trump Administration declared a nationwide emergency in the US due to the growing COVID-19 pandemic.
Psychology plays a crucial role in perpetuating superstition. Suppose you believe Friday the 13th is unlucky. In that case, you’re more likely to notice and remember any adverse events on that day, subconsciously overlooking similar misfortunes on other dates.
The fear of Friday the 13th is a testament to the enduring power of human superstition. While rooted in historical events and ancient beliefs, its continued influence in modern society results from our psychological wiring and cultural conditioning.
For most, it remains quirky and harmless. Still, for a few, the shadow of Friday the 13th continues to loom large, reminding us how easily beliefs can shape our perception of reality.
We hope you have a positive day today.
