It's Friday the 13th! Another "unlucky" day is upon us, which means fears and anxiety are bubbling, but there's no need to fret. A Friday (the 13th) is better than Monday, right?
Here are some spooky Friday the 13th superstitions, origin stories and more to keep you on your toes today.
Why is Friday the 13th considered unlucky?
The exact origin of how Friday the 13th became associated with bad luck is a bit, well, murky, with several ancient beliefs.
It could be associated with an 1834 article published in a French magazine where the author spoke of a Sicilian count who killed his daughter on Friday the 13th, according to Britannica. In it, the author wrote, "It is always Fridays and the number 13 that bring bad luck!"
There are also biblical connections to the day. In the Bible, Judas, who is believed to have betrayed Jesus, was the 13th guest at the Last Supper. The next day, Good Friday, Jesus was crucified. Friday is also associated with bad luck, as it was believed to be the day Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, the day Cain murdered Abel, the day the Temple of Solomon was destroyed, and the day the Great Flood began.
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Breaking a mirror is said to bring seven years of bad luck.
Friday the 13th superstitions, myths and facts
Don't let this list get you spooked, as it's all in good fun, but here are some superstitions and myths that have brewed over the years:
Julanne Ray, 19, a Cumberland College student, casts a wary eye at two of the traditional bad luck symbols of Friday the 13th, black cats and the ladder, on Nov. 11, 1964. The three-month-old kittens are named Samantha and Ringo.
Walking under a ladder: This superstition comes from the belief that a ladder forms a triangle with the wall and that by stepping through it, evil may befall you.
Breaking a mirror: It is said to bring seven years of bad luck.
Black cats: The black cat is associated with witches and bad omens, and it is considered bad luck if one crosses your path on Friday the 13th. Of course, we all know the furry feline is adorable no matter their color, and cats were even considered sacred by Egyptians.
Spilling salt: The superstition is that if you spill salt, tossing it over your left shoulder with your right hand will counteract any evil spirits.
Bad luck comes in "3s": Several theories behind the belief that when something bad happens, then another, you will always wait for the third "shoe to drop," so to say.
Knock on wood, or touch wood: This is a popular one; you say you "never get sick" or your "car has never broken down" and boom — you immediately search for wood to give it a few taps. It is believed this originated with the Druids, who believed divinity involved nature and the trees were their gods, according to the Farmers' Almanac.
Opening an umbrella indoors: There are several beliefs as to why this will bring bad luck, but some suggest opening one inside away from direct sunlight was offensive to the Sun god, whom many worshipped.
Crossing your fingers: Another popular one that stems from the belief that bad luck is trapped at the point where the two fingers meet when we cross our fingers. By crossing them, we prevent bad luck from escaping.
Where is Friday the 13th good luck?
In Italy, the number 17 — not the number 13 — is considered unlucky because the Roman number XVII reminds Italians of the Latin phrase "I have lived," meaning "My life is over," according to ThoughtCo.
Other cultures may have viewed the number 13 as lucky, including the ancient Egyptians, the Mayans and the Chinese, who believe the numbers 1 and 3 symbolize positivity.
What is the fear of Friday the 13th called?
Fear of Friday the 13th can cause some people anxiety and fear, a term psychologist Donald Dossey called paraskevidekatriaphobia — derived from the Greek words Paraskevi (Friday), triskaideka (thirteen) and phobos (fears), according to Britannica. It is sometimes called friggatriskaidekaphobia, which combines Frigg (the Norse goddess for whom Friday is named) and triskaidekaphobia (fear of the number 13).
