Beware, It’s Friday The 13th

It is said that the superstition about the Friday the 13th arose from the bad luck associated with the number 13, dating back in the time of Jesus Christ whose apostles totaled twelve. In the famous Last Supper, Judas, the betrayer of Jesus, was the 13th to arrive in the dinner. The fear of Friday was associated with Christ’s crucifixion which happened on what is now known as Black Friday.

How it developed into a superstition can only be explained by the build-up of  coincidences relative to the number 13  and Friday, most of which occurred separately.

Friday has evolved into an unlucky day since the Black Friday event, as writers and authors picked up the superstition innocently without meaning it. People now avoid engaging in travel or undertaking new projects on Fridays without any reason but “cautiousness.” In the stock market, even tough the market went down a number of times on weekdays other than a Friday, a major stock market crash on a Friday sometime in the past became the reference point.

Image via Wikipedia

The high-rise office building across the street does not have a 13th floor; the next floor after the 12th is the 14th. In one popular game sport, nobody is taking jersey number 13, and in most queue situations, where choice is available, the 13th slot is left untaken. You try to make a count-off of people in a group, and as soon as you reach the number 13, there is an unusual hesitation to take the number. In one first-class residential enclave, just to avoid the number 13, the first house was assigned number 100. Most hospitals and hotels have no room number 13.

It is said, and this is without basis, that most unsuccessful events and disasters – typhoons, earthquakes, fires — happen on Fridays. Even in relationships, the unreasonable association with Friday and the number 13 is observed as people avoid Fridays and 13 for weddings and other celebrations.

That is why, when these two occur together, and this month of November, we have a Friday the 13th, expect an energy build-up of the superstition from all sectors. Expect people to shun major travel plans and avoid scheduling events on this day to avoid accidents, which are commonly associated with this day and date.

Psychologists call this fear “paraskevidekatriaphobia.” The word alone is enough to induce the fear itself.

Friday the 13th, in the Gregorian calendar, will occur at least once and at most thrice in a year. For the year 2009, it will occur in February, March and November.

Superstition is defined as a belief or practice that is based on fear and ignorance and is against the known laws of science. Are you superstitious?

We’ve been through most of the negative superstitions about Friday the 13th? How about a dose of the positives?

-          If a child is born on Good Friday, he will have a gift of healing.

-          If you die on Good Friday, you will go straight to heaven.

-          If your right-hand palm itches, you will receive money.

-          If you have a haircut on Good Friday, you will no longer have headaches.

-          If you knock on wood, you will be protected against misfortune.

-          If you put on your clothes inside out, you will invite good luck.

Remember that being superstitious may either bring you luck or protect you from harm. Nothing is certain, but there is nothing to lose. Who cares if you wear your clothes inside-out?