What do a leap year, presidential election, the end of the Mayan calendar and three Friday the 13ths have in common? They all occur in the year 2012.
Next Friday marks the second of three Friday the 13ths this year, and for superstition enthusiasts, one of the more unlucky days on the calendar. Whether this may be a sign that the world is actually ending in December or just an odd coincidence, let us look at why this day has become so prominent.
The number 13 has been declared an unlucky number for years. Some historians peg the superstition to the 13 people who attended the Last Supper in the Bible, which did not end well for Jesus or Judas. Ancient Babylon codes omit the number 13 in their list of laws, so the superstition could even date back to at least 1700 B.C.
Another theory suggests that 13 is an unlucky number because it follows the number 12. Twelve is considered the number of completeness and is represented by the 12 months of the year, 12 hours on the clock, 12 gods of Olympus, 12 tribes of Israel, 12 disciples of Jesus, the 12 descendants of Muhammad and the list goes on and on. Because of this, the number 13 has been considered irregular.
In 1881, an organization called the Thirteen Club sought to improve the number’s reputation. At the first meeting, the 13 members walked under ladders to enter a room covered with spilled salt, which were all big no-no’s to superstitious groups. The club lasted for many years and grew to more than 400 members, which included five of our U.S. Presidents: Chester Arthur, Grover Cleveland, Benjamin Harrison, William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt.
Despite their efforts, triskaidekaphobia, the fear of the number 13, continued to grow. Even today, tall buildings and hotels do not have a 13th floor.
But why is Friday the 13th unlucky? Well, according to several studies, the 13th day of the month is slightly more likely to be on a Friday than any other day of the week. On average, there is a Friday the 13th every 212.35 days.
Fridays in general have not been considered lucky days. Since the 14th century, many professions and tales have regarded Friday as an unlucky day to undertake journeys or begin new projects. Black Friday has also been associated with stock market crashes and other disasters since the 1800s.
With the help of books, movies, and social crazes, this day has continued to grow into the phenomenon it is today. Some Friday the 13th myths include: if you cut your hair on this day, someone in your family will die; a child born on Friday the 13th will be unlucky for life; or if a funeral procession passes you by, you will be the next to die.
According to the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute, an estimated 17 to 21 million people are affected by a fear of this day, making it the most feared day and date in history.
Whether you are a believer of this superstition or not, practice a safe Friday the 13th this Spring Break.