Friday is the day we look forward to relaxing at the end of the week. December is the month of festive cheer. Shall we combine the two? Sounds ideal! Unless... if Friday, December 13th is on the calendar. In this case, many people for some unknown reason begin to mysteriously look over their shoulder, avoid ladders and hold their breath at the sight of a black cat. Why does this combination still fascinate and frighten us?
Why Friday and why the 13th?
Although at first glance it seems like it's just a fun pop culture quirk, it does unlucky friday the 13th deep roots in history and symbolism.
Friday has always been associated with bad luck. In Christian tradition, Jesus is said to have been crucified on a Friday. Even famous disasters, such as the fatal arrest of the Templars on October 13, 1307 (which was a Friday), left their mark on the collective consciousness. So if Friday symbolizes the end, tragedy or fall, what does the number 13 add?
The unpopular number 13
Why is 13 so problematic? The matter is simple. The number 12 is considered perfect and harmonious: we have 12 months in the year, 12 hours on the clock, 12 signs of the zodiac, 12 Olympic gods... The number 13 is that unpredictable "intruder" that disrupts perfection. In Norse mythology, Loki—the unexpected 13th guest at the gods' dinner—caused the death of Baldr, the god of light. In Christianity, Judas was the 13th guest at the last supper.
And what happens when you combine the unlucky number with Friday's already malaise?
Global Paranoia, Modern Pop Culture
The history of superstition is one thing, but it's pop culture that has really catapulted Friday the 13th to among the most sinister of days.
The first thing that comes to mind? "Friday the 13th", the horror franchise that marked generations in the mid-80s with the masked psychopath Jason Voorhees. The first hit movie was released in 1980, and since then there have been more than 12 sequels (the irony of 12? Huh!).
But it's not just Hollywood. Different cultures superimposed their fears with purely local elements:
- Italy is more afraid of Friday the 17th than the 13th. For them, the number 17 is the one that brings bad luck.
- Spain and Greece count Tuesday the 13th as an unlucky day.
- In Chinese culture, superstition is tied more to the number 4 than 13, as the word for four (sì) sounds similar to the word for death (sǐ).
How far does the fear of Friday the 13th go?
No joke - this day also affects the economy. Psychologists even recognize a phenomenon called paraskevidekatriaphobia – this is the fear of Friday the 13th.
Some airlines report lower passenger numbers. Some hotels and buildings don't have a 13th floor (yes, jump from the 12th floor straight to the 14th). Businesses report fewer deals, fewer weddings, and fewer important decisions being made on this day.
Even more startling: It is estimated that the US economy loses about $800 to $900 million each year due to the fear of Friday the 13th.
Reality: Accident or Placebo Effect?
Science, of course, looks at all this with a raised eyebrow. Statistics do not show any particular increase in accidents on Friday the 13th. It is more about our expected paranoia: if we think we will have bad luck, we will focus more on unpleasant events and attribute them to this date.
The most famous events on Friday the 13th.
Nevertheless, some famous accidents remain:
- October 13, 1972 – Uruguayan team plane crash in the Andes (known as the survival story from the movie Alive).
- January 13, 2012 - sinking of the luxury cruise ship Costa Concordia off the coast of Italy.
- November 13, 2015 - terrorist attacks in Paris.
Happiness is a matter of perspective
In the end, Friday the 13th is primarily a day when we can take the opportunity to introspect, overcome fears, or simply to couch horror marathon. If a black cat scares you, don't forget: for some, this very cat is a symbol of good luck.
It all depends on how you choose to look at the world - and perhaps Friday the 13th offers an opportunity to take a step forward, not back.
