Friday the 13th has always instilled fear in people, associated with bad luck and misfortune. It’s not surprising that many people dread this day, as numerous terrible events have occurred on Friday the 13th, reinforcing this belief.
In 2022, the next Friday the 13th will fall on May 13, 2022. To better understand the truth behind Friday the 13th and what Friday the 13th signifies, as well as why so many fear this day, let’s explore this topic in depth.
What is Friday the 13th?
In Western belief, Friday the 13th is considered an extremely unlucky and ominous day. Many people avoid it due to the numerous unfortunate events that have happened on this day, instilling fear and anxiety.
The stories of misfortune on “Friday the 13th” are largely folklore or coincidental occurrences.
The fear surrounding Friday the 13th is known as paraskavedekatriaphobia, a term derived from Greek words: Παρασκευή (Friday), δεκατρείς (thirteen), and φοβία (phobia), meaning “Friday, the thirteenth, fear of each person.”
These terms can also combine into paraskevodekatriaphobia, paraskevidekatriaphobia, or friggatriskaidekaphobia, which are special forms of triskaidekaphobia (the fear of the number thirteen).
Historians believe that the number 13 has been considered “special” since around 1780 BC when the famous Code of Hammurabi from Babylon did not include a 13th law. Additionally, many ancient concepts were categorized into 12 distinct entities.
For example, there are the 12 zodiac signs, 12 months in a year, 12 hours in a day, 12 Greek gods, the 12 apostles of Jesus, the 12 labors of Hercules, and the 12 tribes of ancient Israel. Specifically, the number 13 represents a deviation from conventional human norms.
Moreover, in Norse mythology, the number 13 stems from the trickster god Loki secretly collaborating with the god of darkness Hoder to assassinate the god of happiness, Balder, during a banquet in Valhalla. At that time, only 12 gods were invited, and Loki attended as an “uninvited guest.”
Immediately after Balder’s death, the Earth was engulfed in darkness and mourning. It was a day of misfortune and despair. The fear of the number 13 is evident in today’s modern world; over 80% of high-rise buildings lack a 13th floor. Many airports skip gate 13, and hospitals and hotels often do not have a room 13.
But what about Friday? Why is it associated with the number 13 to create a “perfect pair” of misfortune in many people’s minds? Researchers have delved into the Christian Bible and discovered that Eve gave Adam the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden on a Friday, which led to their expulsion.
Christian believers consider Friday the 13th to be a tragic sinful day; it is the day Judas, the 13th apostle, betrayed Jesus for 30 silver coins, and Jesus was crucified on Friday the 13th.
Nevertheless, there have been efforts to prove that the number 13 and Friday are merely ordinary concepts among many others. In the 1880s, a group of influential residents in New York City established a club named the Club 13, chaired by Captain William Fowler, a veteran of the American Civil War.
Fowler himself had a life intertwined with numerous occurrences of the number 13, participating in 13 major battles and retiring on August 13, 1863. However, he believed that this number had no bearing on a person’s fate.
Terrifying Mysterious Events on Friday the 13th
1307: The Execution of the Knights Templar
On Friday, October 13, 1307, the King of France ordered the arrest and execution of the Knights Templar, who were considered holy figures in the Middle Ages, as the king believed they held too much power. This is one reason why Friday the 13th is believed to be cursed.
1521: The Fall of the Aztec Empire
Friday, August 13, 1521, marked a significant event when Cuauhtémoc, the last emperor of the Aztec Empire, was captured by the Spanish during their invasion of the capital city Tenochtitlan. This event signaled the end of the Aztec civilization. Indeed, it was an unfortunate Friday the 13th for Emperor Cuauhtémoc.
1940: Buckingham Palace Bombed
During World War II, Nazi Germany continuously bombed London, but fortunately, Buckingham Palace—an emblem of British royalty—remained unharmed. Unluckily, on Friday the 13th in 1940, German planes accurately bombed Buckingham Palace, causing significant damage.
1970: Floods in Bangladesh Kill Hundreds of Thousands
On Friday, November 13, 1970, the catastrophic Bhola Cyclone swept through Bangladesh, claiming nearly half a million lives. This is considered one of the worst Fridays the 13th in human history.
1972: Plane Crash
On Friday, October 13, 1972, a plane carrying the Montevideo Old Christians rugby team crashed while flying from Montevideo, Uruguay, to Santiago, Chile.
Two months later, rescuers found 14 survivors, with 31 confirmed dead following the disaster. However, public shock ensued after hearing the survivors’ story. The truth was that they survived by consuming the bodies of some of the deceased crew and passengers.
1989: Stock Market Losses in the Billions
This event is considered the second-highest loss in the history of the global stock market. Many companies went bankrupt, and the market fell into a state of stagnation, resulting in billions of dollars lost following the stock market crash.
1989: Nearly a Thousand Computers in the UK Crash
Also in 1989, nearly a thousand computers in the UK suddenly crashed due to a strange computer virus attack. The only solution was to wipe the hard drives and reinstall the systems. As a result, many companies, individuals, and organizations lost vital information and data on Friday the 13th, 1989.
March 13, 1992: Major Earthquake
On March 13, 1992, a major earthquake struck Turkey, claiming over 2,000 lives and leaving about 50,000 people homeless. This is regarded as one of the most devastating natural disasters in Turkey in recent decades.
August 13, 1993: Massive Building Collapse
The Royal Plaza Hotel was once a pride of Nakhon Ratchasima in Thailand, but everything changed due to an engineer’s oversight that led to the building’s complete collapse. Unable to support its own weight, the massive structure fell to the ground within seconds, resulting in the deaths of 137 people and injuring 227 others.
2012: Costa Concordia Capsized
The modern and advanced cruise ship Costa Concordia, carrying 4,000 passengers, capsized on Friday the 13th while departing from Italy, resulting in many deaths and injuries. This is considered one of the most unfortunate events in maritime history, as modern cruise ships like Costa Concordia rarely encounter such disasters.
The horrors of Friday the 13th have long been a source of fear and superstition. Researchers from the University of Connecticut in New London have noted that excessive trust and a certain lack of understanding from ancient times have led to an irrational fear and obsession with Friday the 13th, despite it being just an ordinary day like any other.
Psychology Professor Stuart Vyse from the University of Connecticut stated: “If no one talked to us about the superstitions and negative taboos surrounding Friday the 13th, many people would likely not feel anxious and would go about their business as usual. Moreover, this fear has been reinforced through movies, books, and stories, which only intensifies the obsession.”
Another researcher, Rebecca Borah from the University of Cincinnati, also commented: “The superstitions that have persisted for centuries have created a habit of fear among people. Even today, we continue to acknowledge and believe in the bad luck that may come on Friday the 13th.”
This habitual thinking has allowed the fear of Friday the 13th to linger in the minds of many, making it increasingly entrenched.”
