Shocking facts about Friday the 13th
Think Friday the 13th is a bad omen? You’re not alone. Here are some facts about the day that many consider to be the unluckiest day of the year.
Wochit, Wochit
Friday the 13th is just around the corner, but don’t let superstition discourage you.
Instead, embrace the unusual traditions and find ways to turn this so-called unlucky day into an opportunity for happiness and fun.
Where does Friday the 13th come from?
Friday the 13th’s reputation as an unlucky day has its origins largely in religious and cultural beliefs. In Christianity, it is associated with the Last Supper, where Judas, the 13th guest, betrayed Jesus, leading to his crucifixion on a Friday, according to USA TODAY.
Norse mythology also contributes to this, with the 13th god Loki bringing chaos and death.
This superstition deepened over time, especially after the mass arrest of the Knights Templar on Friday, October 13, 1307, which further cemented the day’s status as an unlucky day.
When is the next Friday the 13th?
There will be one more Friday the 13th in 2024, and it will fall in December. The next Friday after that will be in June 2025.
7 Friday the 13th Superstitions to Either Avoid or Follow
Avoid:
- Break a mirror: Breaking a mirror is said to seven years of bad luckso be careful with glass today.
- Walk under a ladder: This superstition comes from the idea that walking under a ladder destroys the triangle, a symbol of life, and brings bad luck.
- Spill salt: Accidentally spilling salt has been considered bad luck for centuries. To counteract this, throw a pinch of salt over your left shoulder to ward off evil.
- The path crosses with a black cat: Black cats are often associated with witches and bad omens and are considered to bring bad luck, especially if they cross your path on a Friday the 13th.
- Stepping on cracks: The rhyme “Step on a crack, break your mother’s back” comes from the idea that stepping on cracks invokes bad energy or harm.
To track:
- Wear a lucky charm: Articles like four-leaf clover, horseshoeor Rabbit feet are supposed to bring good luck and protect against bad vibrations.
- Knock on wood: This ancient superstition is said to prevent bad luck or misfortune. When you say something hopeful, knock on wood to “seal the deal” and keep luck on your side.
