Ah, Friday the 13th! The date that strikes fear into the hearts of many, making us second-guess stepping on sidewalk cracks, walking under ladders, and tempting fate in any way possible.
But what's the story behind this infamous day? Is it all just superstition and urban legend, or is there more to it than meets the eye? In this article, we'll take you through 13 fun facts about Friday the 13th.
The History of Friday the 13th:
1. Norse Mythology
The number 13 has an ancient connection with Norse mythology. There's a legend that involves a banquet of gods, where Loki, the trickster god, crashes the party uninvited and causes chaos. The party ended with dire consequences.
2. Christian Traditions
In Christianity, 13 is seen as an unlucky number, as it's believed that there were 13 individuals present at the Last Supper, including Judas Iscariot, who ultimately betrayed Jesus.
3. Templar Knights
The Knights Templar, a medieval Christian military order, faced their own bad luck on Friday the 13th, October 1307, when many of their members were arrested and later executed.
Unique References in Pop Culture:
4. "Friday the 13th" (1980)
No article about Friday the 13th would be complete without mentioning the iconic horror film series. The first film, directed by Sean S. Cunningham, introduced the world to Jason Voorhees, a hockey mask-wearing, machete-wielding killer. It spawned numerous sequels and a cultural icon.
5. Celebrities and the 13th
Many celebrities were born on Friday the 13th, including Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Steve Buscemi, and Peter Tork. Rapper Tupac Shakur also died on Friday, September 13, 1996, after a hail of bullets hit his car in Las Vegas.
6. Black Sabbath
The band Black Sabbath released its debut album on Friday, February 13, 1970.
7. Taylor Swift and 13:
Taylor Swift thinks of 13 as her lucky number and has some connections with Friday the 13th: “I was born on the 13th. I turned 13 on Friday the 13th. My first album went gold in 13 weeks. My first #1 song had a 13-second intro,” she told MTV in 2009. Swift also purposely released her Eras Concert Tour Movie on this Friday the 13th.
Other Fun Facts and Superstitions:
8. Even outer space isn’t safe
On Friday April 13, 2029, a large asteroid will fly close enough to the Earth to be visible without a telescope in Africa, Europe, and Asia, according to NASA.
9. The fear is real
The word for fear of Friday the 13th is “paraskavedekatriaphobia.” The word for fear of the number 13 is “triskaidekaphobia.” Located near Philadelphia is the Friggatriskaidekaphobia Treatment Center, an organization that hosts parties centred on confronting common phobias like walking under a ladder and opening an umbrella indoors. Fear of the number 13 is a genuine phenomenon, and it's not limited to just Fridays. Some buildings skip the 13th floor, and people avoid scheduling important events on the 13th of any month.
10. Bad luck in different cultures
While Friday the 13th is generally considered unlucky in Western cultures, Tuesday the 13th is considered far more ominous in Spanish and Greek cultures.
11. Lucky charms
Many people wear lucky charms or amulets on Friday the 13th to ward off bad luck, including four-leaf clovers, horseshoes, and evil eye pendants.
12. Friday the 13th can come in threes
All years will have at least one Friday the 13th. The good news is that there cannot be more than three Friday the 13ths in any given calendar year.
13. "I Do"
The Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel offers special zombie, vampire, and “Rocky Horror”-themed ceremonies on Friday the 13th.
Friday the 13th is more than just a date on the calendar; it's a rich tapestry of history, superstitions, and cultural references. Whether you view it as a day of dread or an opportunity to wear your favourite lucky socks, the myth and mystery of this infamous day continue to capture our imagination.
So, the next time Friday the 13th rolls around, enjoy the suspense and maybe have a movie night featuring Jason Voorhees – just be sure to avoid those creepy summer camps!
