Friday the 13th is a superstition deeply ingrained in Western culture, with a fear of the date known as paraskevidekatriaphobia. While Friday the 13th may seem rare, the 13th of any month is actually slightly more likely to fall on a Friday than any other day of the week due to the Gregorian calendar. In some cultures, different days are considered unlucky, such as Tuesday the 13th in Greek and Spanish-speaking countries and Friday the 17th in Italy. This month, the only Friday the 13th falls on September 13th.
The origins of the superstition of Friday the 13th are difficult to pinpoint, but both Friday and the number 13 have been regarded as unlucky in various cultures throughout history. In Norse mythology, Loki’s mischief at a banquet in Valhalla involving 13 gods led to the death of the god of light, joy, and goodness. The story of the Last Supper also contributed to the negative connotations of the number 13, with Judas Iscariot betraying Jesus. Biblical traditions further associate Fridays with unfortunate events, such as Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit and the crucifixion of Jesus on Good Friday.
In the 19th century, Friday the 13th became synonymous with misfortune, with the combination of Friday and the number 13 being seen as unlucky. Popular culture further perpetuated this belief, with novels and movies like Thomas W. Lawson’s “Friday, the Thirteenth” and the “Friday the 13th” slasher franchise contributing to the superstition. However, the claim that the superstition originated from the arrest of the Knights Templar on Friday, October 13, 1307, as popularized by Dan Brown’s “The Da Vinci Code,” is erroneous.
Despite the negative associations with Friday the 13th, historical evidence suggests that both Fridays and the number 13 have also been considered lucky in some cultures. In pagan times, Friday was associated with the divine feminine, with Norse and Teutonic people regarding it as a lucky day for marriage. The number 13 was linked to lunar and menstrual cycles, symbolizing feminine power. Early artwork and carvings depicted this connection, such as the Venus of Laussel carrying a crescent-shaped horn with 13 notches.
As Christianity rose in the Middle Ages and clashed with pagan beliefs, the association with Friday the 13th as unlucky was solidified. Pagan goddesses were demonized, with women who worshiped them labeled as witches. This association with witchcraft further cemented the negative connotations of Friday the 13th. However, with modern conversations around misogyny and the silencing of powerful women, there may be a shift in the narrative surrounding this superstition. Figures like Taylor Swift, who considers the number 13 lucky, are changing the perception of Friday the 13th from one of fear to one of fortune.
