Why is Friday the 13th Unlucky? 3 Dark Theories May Point to the Sinister Origins of Its Superstitions
Friday the 13th is widely known for its association with bad luck and various superstitions. But, have you ever wondered about the origins of these beliefs?
The fear of Friday the 13th has a specific term: paraskevidekatriaphobia. This term describes a particular type of triskaidekaphobia, which is the fear of the number 13.
(There’s even another variation: friggatriskaidekaphobia – which includes the name of the Norse goddess of fertility, marriage, and the household. Also, she is associated with love, sexuality, wisdom, and prophecy. Frigg is the wife of Odin, king of the gods, and the mother of Balder. She is also known by the names Frigga, Fricka, and Saga.)
Why is Friday the 13th Unlucky? 3 Dark Theories May Point to the Sinister Origins of Its Superstitions
According to the Georgian calendar, the 13th day of any month is slightly more likely to be a Friday compared to any other day of the week. It’s important to note that this superstition is not universal, and beliefs about this day vary across cultures.
For instance, Tuesday, the 13th is a day of good luck in both Greece and Spanish-speaking countries. Meanwhile, Friday the 17th is associated with bad luck in Italy.
So, why is Friday the 13th unlucky in other locations? What are the superstitions of Friday the 13th? And when did its origins occur?
Well, there’s no simple explanation, but there are three prominent dark theories that point to the sinister beginnings of Friday the 13th.
1 – The Last Supper of Jesus Christ
The 13th day falls on Friday mostly once a year but can also occur up to three times. And, it could have gained its infamous reputation following the 3rd of April 33 AD – the very day Christ was put to death by crucifixion – which was known as hangman’s day – and occurred around 3:00 PM., a few hours before the beginning of Passover day and the Sabbath.
The association of Friday the 13th with the Last Supper of Jesus Christ comes from the fact that there were 13 people present at the meal, including Jesus and his 12 disciples. Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus, was the 13th person to be seated at the table.
The Last Supper is a significant event in Christian history, as it is the last meal that Jesus shared with his disciples before he was crucified. The meal is also significant because it is where Jesus established the Eucharist, the Christian sacrament of communion.
2 – The Brutal Execution of the Knights of the Templar
The Knights Templar, a military order founded in 1118 in Jerusalem, played a significant role for over two centuries. Tasked with safeguarding pilgrims traveling from Europe to Jerusalem, these knights introduced an innovative banking system to protect pilgrims’ finances, which later expanded across Europe.
However, their success bred envy, particularly from King Philip IV of France, who found himself heavily indebted to the Templars. Fueled by jealousy, Philip devised a sinister plan to annihilate the entire order in one fell swoop. The chosen date was Friday, October 13, 1307. A month before, Philip discreetly dispatched his orders to his men and Bailiffs throughout France, instructing them to act only at the crack of dawn on that fateful Friday.
With the backing of Pope Clement V, Philip accused the Templars of heinous crimes, including religious heresy such as desecrating religious symbols and engaging in acts considered taboo at the time. The plan unfolded meticulously; every Templar was arrested, their assets seized, and medieval torture methods were employed to extract confessions before they faced the ultimate punishment: burning at the stake.
In a bid to further humiliate the Templars, Philip orchestrated a public confession from Jacques De Molay, the Grandmaster of the Templars. Instead, De Molay used the platform to address the people, explaining the Templars’ plight and offering an apology.
As he faced the pyre, De Molay’s final words were a damning curse upon King Philip IV and Pope Clement V, predicting their deaths before the year’s end. Remarkably, both men met their demise before the year concluded, adding a chilling layer to the mystique of Friday the 13th.
3 – The Cruel Banishment of Frigg the Norse Goddess
Friday takes its name from Frigga, the Norse goddess of love and fertility. In the transition from Norse and Germanic traditions to Christianity, Frigga was cast out in disgrace – banished to a desolate mountain and branded as a witch. Legend has it that every Friday, this disgraced goddess gathered with eleven other witches and the devil himself — totaling thirteen — to scheme misfortunes for the week ahead. Consequently, in Scandinavia for many centuries, Friday was dreaded as the “Witches’ Sabbath.”
Other Ties Friday the 13th has with Bad Luck and Evil
According to Norse mythology, the number of gods present at a dinner in Valhalla increased to 13 when the god of mischief Loki barged in. Loki tricked the blind god Hodr into killing his brother Balder who was the god of light, joy, and kindness.
Even before the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, according to Biblical tradition, Friday held significant events. It was the day when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit from the Tree of Knowledge. Additionally, Friday marks the tragic incidents of Cain killing his brother Abel, the destruction of the Temple of Solomon, and the sailing of Noah’s ark during the Great Flood.
Additionally, the names Saddam Hussein, Osama bin Laden, and American Killer Charles Manson all have 13 letters.
Although it’s still unclear about the association of Friday the 13th with bad luck, it is thought to have arisen in the Middle Ages, and it has been popularized in recent times by the horror film franchise “Friday the 13th.”
While there is no scientific evidence to support the superstition that Friday the 13th is unlucky, many people still believe it. Some people avoid making important decisions or traveling on Friday the 13th. Others may experience anxiety or stress on this day.
