Friday the 13th: unlucky superstitions and historical significance

Friday the 13th holds a unique and ominous reputation as a day of potential misfortune. This superstition surrounding the combination of Friday and the number 13 has captured the attention of secret societies, literary works, horror films, and even psychological terms. Let's delve into the origins and impact of this infamous day. SSP prepared.

Superstitions around the number 13

Throughout history, the number 13 has been regarded with a sense of foreboding in Western cultures. This stands in contrast to the symbolic completeness associated with the number 12. From the ancient Code of Hammurabi to more contemporary beliefs, the absence or misuse of a 13th element reinforces the negative associations tied to the number.

Fear of the number 13 even has a name: triskaidekaphobia. This term encapsulates the unease and anxiety some people experience when confronted with this numerical figure.

Why is Friday the 13th unlucky?

Religious traditions and biblical references contribute to the idea that Friday the 13th is ill-fated. The Last Supper, which occurred on Maundy Thursday, is said to have had 13 guests, including Jesus and his twelve apostles. The following day, known as Good Friday, marked the crucifixion of Jesus, adding to the perceived misfortune associated with this Friday.

Legend has it that seating arrangements at the Last Supper are responsible for a Christian superstition against having 13 guests at a table, an act seen as tempting destiny and impending doom. Additionally, various unfortunate events in Christian history, such as Cain killing his brother Abel or Adam and Eve's transgressions, are associated with this supposedly unlucky day of the week.

The Thirteen Club's effort to dispel the stigma

In the late 19th century, Captain William Fowler aimed to challenge the negative connotations surrounding the number 13 and the superstition about guests at dinner tables. Captain Fowler founded an exclusive society called the Thirteen Club, which met monthly on the 13th. Members would purposely gather in room 13 of the Knickerbocker Cottage and engage in a 13-course meal. To further defy the superstitions, they would cross under ladders and a banner bearing the Latin phrase "Morituri te Salutamus" meaning "Those of us who are about to die salute you." Even several former U.S. presidents joined the club's ranks.

Friday the 13th in popular culture

While the number 13 has its long-standing legacy of misfortune, the legend of Friday the 13th garnered significant attention with Thomas William Lawson's novel, "Friday, the Thirteenth" in 1907. The book tells the story of a stockbroker who manipulates superstitions surrounding the date to orchestrate chaos on Wall Street, profiting greatly from the resulting turmoil.

However, it was the horror movie "Friday the 13th" released in 1980 that magnified the cultural prominence of Friday the 13th. The film introduced the infamous hockey mask-wearing killer, Jason, and quickly gained traction with its sequels, impactful presence in pop culture, and associated merchandise.

Historical events on an unlucky day

Further fueling the superstition are notable incidents that occurred on Friday the 13th throughout history. While the unfortunate arrest of the Knights Templar – a religious and military order formed during the 12th century for the Holy Land's defense – on October 13, 1307, is often linked to this day, concrete evidence remains elusive.

In more contemporary times, various calamitous events marked Friday the 13th. These include the German bombing of Buckingham Palace in September 1940, the tragic death of Kitty Genovese in Queens, New York in March 1964, a devastating cyclone claiming numerous lives in Bangladesh in November 1970, the disappearance of a Chilean Air Force plane in the Andes in October 1972, the fatal shooting of Tupac Shakur in September 1996, and the Costa Concordia cruise ship's disastrous crash off Italy's coast, leading to numerous casualties in January 2012.