Friday the 13th: The Unluckiest of Days

By Asa Burns

According to Britannica, superstition is the belief that certain events will bring either good or bad luck
based on the fear of the unknown. Many superstitious people believe walking under a ladder, opening an umbrella inside, or breaking a mirror can cause bad luck that may last up to seven years.

An entire day has even been stereotyped as unlucky, with origins going back thousands of years. This ill-fated day is Friday the 13th.

Although the origins of Friday the 13th are largely unknown, historians guess this superstition evolved from the Christian religion, specifically the Last Supper. The Last Supper is recorded in the Bible as the last meal Jesus Christ shared with his apostles before his crucifixion. Thirteen people were present at this dinner, including Judas
Iscariot, the thirteenth guest and ultimate traitor to Jesus Christ. Friday is also the supposed day that Adam and Eve ate the cursed fruit, Cain killed Abel, and Christ was crucified. All of these instances are evidence that Friday the 13th is cursed.

Friday the 13th has acquired oodles of fame through books, movie franchises, video games, and even one very famous high-society club. In the late 19th century, a club was founded specifically to combat the negative connotation around the number 13, boasting famous members including former U.S. presidents Chester A. Arthur, Grover Cleveland, Benjamin Harrison, and Theodore Roosevelt.

Thomas William Lawson later published “Friday, the Thirteenth,” in 1907, telling the story of a New York City stockbroker who uses the superstitions around Friday the Thirteenth to wreak havoc on Wall Street and get rich off the stock market. Finally, in 1980, the horror movie Friday the 13th was released, introducing the world to Jason, a killer best known for his iconic hockey mask. Following this film was a resurgence of the belief in Friday the 13th, resurrecting the ancient belief once again.

This year, Friday the 13th also happens to fall during the haunted month of October. USA Today suggests that steering clear of black cats, avoiding the number thirteen, and holding your breath when passing a cemetery, among other things, will ensure your safety and good luck on this hallowed day. This ill-fated belief has been plaguing superstitious people for centuries, so even if you don’t consider yourself a superstitious person, you might consider staying home sick this year just in case.

(Photo via PxHere)