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One theory: 13 is an unlucky number and Friday an unlucky day (considered so since The Canterbury Tales, unlucky to start a journey on a Friday).
Note: Crazy to think of Friday as an unlucky day. I love Fridays! End of a school/work week, prepping for weekend, etc.
Another theory: 12 is considered the number of completeness (months, Zodiac, apostles), and therefore 13 is irregular. I found mention of a Norse Myth that 13 seated at a table would result in death... consider the Last Supper - the 13th guest, Judas, betrayed Jesus and was killed on a Friday. Christ's crucification day is also considered to be a Friday by many historians.
Interesting Facts About Friday the 13th
* The fear of Friday the 13th has been called friggatriskaidekaphobia (Frigga being the name of the Norse goddess for whom "Friday" is named and triskaidekaphobia meaning fear of the number thirteen). (From Wikipedia)
* In 2012, three unlucky Fridays are 13 weeks apart: January 13, April 13, July 13. Eek! (hasn't happened since 1984)
* Hotels and hospitals often skip floor 13, and some airports don't have a gate 13.
* President Franklin D. Roosevelt is said to have avoided travel on the 13th day of any month, and would never host 13 guests at a meal. (Source)
* Fidel Castro was born on Friday, August 13, 1926.
* Friday the 13th superstitions cost businesses between $800 and $900 billion. People choose not to buy houses, fly, or buy stocks (to name a few things) on this day. (Source)
I found several sites that listed unfortunate events that occurred on Friday the 13ths throughout history. This seemed particularly silly to me... take any day, and you could easily find bad things that happened. Research all Tuesday the 18ths, for example.
Are you wary of Friday the 13th?
7 comments:
I'm like you, Friday the 13th has never bothered me. I'm just glad it's FRIDAY! (: My mom on the other hand, will never seat 13 people at her table...
Friday the 13th never bothers me. Mainly because I was born on 13th so my birthday has to be on Friday the 13th some years.
Stopping by on the Post A To Z Road Trip :)
My sister had a brain aneurism last year on Friday the 13th. It was, consequently, also my mother's birthday. FT13 never bothered me before then. Now, I'm reminded of that tragedy every time one rolls around. Interesting facts, thanks for sharing!! WRITE ON!
Elise, I had never heard about 13 dinner guests until I researched this. Somewhere I saw that in Paris you can hire a 14th person to sit at your table in some finer dining places. Hmmm.
Chippy, Glad you stopped by. I still need to visit a lot of A to Z bloggers.
Jo, I'm so sorry to hear that. I'm sure it does affect your FT13 feelings.
Thanks for being such a support system!
How did your daughter's day go, Tia? Anything bad happen?
Hope you're well.
Lisa, You are so so sweet to ask. My daughter was just fine, and it was a wonderful lesson about irrational fears. There are plenty of rational ones to worry about, so putting aside these kind help. Thanks!
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