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Friday the 13th, is considered a day of bad luck and evil. In the Western world, a significant chunk of the population suspects bad things will happen whenever the 13th day of a month occurs on the day of the week called Friday. Like many human beliefs, the fear of Friday the 13th isn't exactly grounded in scientific logic. But the really strange thing is that most of the people who believe the day is unlucky offer no explanation at all, logical or illogical. Many people avoid travel and avoid signing contracts on Friday the 13th. Floors in tall buildings often skip from 12 to 14. The superstition does have deep, compelling roots, however, and the origins help explain why the belief is so widespread today. |
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The fear of Friday the 13th is called paraskavedekatriaphobia or Paraskevidekatriaphobia, a specialized form of triskaidekaphobia - fear of the number 13. It comes from the Greek words paraskevi (Friday), and dekatria (thirteen), with the suffix phobia.
The origins of the Friday the 13th superstition has been linked to the fact there were 13 people at the last supper of Jesus Christ, who was traditionally crucified on Good Friday. Another suggestion is that the belief originated in a Norse myth about twelve gods having a feast in Valhalla. The mischievous Loki gatecrashed the party as an uninvited 13th guest and arranged for Hod, the blind god of darkness, to shoot Baldur the god of joy and gladness, with a mistletoe-tipped arrow. Baldur was killed and the Earth was plunged into darkness and mourning as a result. Some also say that the arrest of Jaques de Molay, Grand Master of the Knights Templer, and and 60 of his senior knights on Friday, October 13, 1307 by King Philip IV of France is the origin of this superstition. From that day on, Friday the 13th was considered by followers of the Templars as an evil and unlucky day.
Belief in Friday the 13th is no different from belief in astrology, quack medicine, hauntings or UFOs and the crash at Roswell, New Mexico. None of these claims are grounded in sound scientific evidence. Television programs and films like the Unexplained, Friday the 13th, Psi Factor, Independence Day, Unsolved Mysteries, Dark Skies and the X-Files need to balance their content with scientific criticism. Otherwise, Hollywood producers, are contributing to a society of believers in superstition and the paranormal. It is when people make financial, political and personal decisions based on these kinds of superstitions that we witness the true darkside of Friday the 13th.
A healthy response to Friday the 13th comes from Paul Kurtz, chairman of the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal.
His message is, there's nothing to fear from superstition, & this organization routinely celebrates Friday the 13th with a party at which mirrors are broken, umbrellas are opened indoors, and other superstitious taboos are brashly challenged. So party hard and send Good Luck wishes to all!! |
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