Shilo Stag
When you awoke this morning, and checked the calendar, did you notice it was Jan. 13 — more specifically, Friday the 13th?
This day inspired one of the highest-grossing film series ever. The commercially successful Friday the 13th enterprise features 12 horror movies, a television series, and several books which focus on curses and superstitions.
Although the films and television series consistently received negative reviews from critics, they have a considerable following. The mask worn by the key character in the movies, Jason Voorhees, is one of the most known images in popular culture.
At least once a year — sometimes more, the Gregorian calendar aligns to what is widely considered an unlucky date — perhaps especially among those who consider themselves to be a little superstitious.
Some avoid breaking a mirror, walking under a ladder, or crossing in front of a black cat on the sometimes freaky Fridays. Before heading off to school or work, or venturing outside, throw some salt over your left shoulder as a precaution today.
What are the origins of this day and when it became thought of as unlucky? Historians say it could stem from Christianity.
In the Bible, Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus Christ, was the 13th guest at the Last Supper. Also in the Bible, many unfortunate things happened on Fridays including Christ’s crucifiction.
The day has since been associated with “general ill omen,” according to Iowa State University history professor Michael Bailey, who specializes in the origins of superstitions.
Another account suggests this day has been associated with misfortune since 1307 when on a Friday the 13th, the French king gave the orders to arrest hundreds of Knights Templar in France. Most of them were executed.
Western cultures have historically associated the number 12 with completeness – with examples ranging from 12 months in the calendar or 12 days of Christmas, to the 12 gods of Olympus.
However, 13 has a long record of bad luck.
The fear of Friday the 13th is also called friggatriskaidekaphobia or paraskevidekatriaphobia.
Friggatriskaidekaphobia comes from Frigg, the Norse goddess of wisdom after whom Friday is named, and the Greek words triskaideka, meaning 13, and phobia, meaning fear. Paraskevidekatriaphobia is also derived from Greek. Paraskeví translates as Friday, and dekatria is another way of saying 13.
If you are afraid of Friday the 13th, you have a phobia known as Paraskavedekatriaphobia.
There’s also fancy word for fear of the number 13 being triskaidekaphobia.
Fittingly, Alfred Hitchcock Was Born on Friday the 13th, an August day in 1899. If he had lived longer, he would have celebrated his 100th birthday on Aug. 13, 1999. Of note, he made his directorial debut in 1922 with a movie called Number 13. Unfortunately, the film was doomed from the start and never got off the ground due to financial troubles.
Other celebrities and well-known personalities born on a Friday the 13th include actors Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen; novelist and playwright Samuel Beckett; and former President of Cuba Fidel Castro.
Friday the 13th is considered to be an unlucky day by some and lucky by others. But be weary if a black cat passes in front of you today. Before leaving the house, toss a handful of salt over your left shoulder for luck. Photos Jillian Driessen/Shilo Stag
