Friday the 13th Home Calendar Holidays Worldwide Holidays Friday the 13th Friday the 13th Friday the 13th is believed to be an unlucky day in many countries, but a lucky one in others. Black cats and Friday the 13th are considered unlucky by many. Black cats and Friday the 13th are considered unlucky by many. ©iStockphoto.com/Seregraff What do People do? For most people who consider Friday 13th unlucky , it is more a question of what they avoid doing, rather than what they do on this day. The fear of Friday the 13th is called friggatriskaidekaphobia - "Frigg" is the Norse goddess whom Friday is named after and "triskaidekaphobia" means the fear of "13". It's also known as paraskevidekatriaphobia, partly from the Greek word for Friday. Truly Frightning It is a real fear - some people who have this disorder are even too afraid to say the words “Friday the 13th”. Others avoid flying on a plane, going to work, or even getting out of bed.

According to the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in Asheville, North Carolina, millions of Americans are afraid of Friday the 13th. Symptoms of this fear range from mild anxiety and a nagging sense of doom to full-blown panic attacks. August the Worst In Brazil , Friday 13 in August is considered unluckier than any other Friday 13, especially as agosto (August) rhymes with desgosto (sorrow). Some charities use Friday 13 for fund raising events. At Port Dover in Ontario, Canada, there is a big celebration for motorcyclistscalled PD13, which attracts large crowds. Other choose to have parties with unlucky or creepy themes similar to Halloween . Famous Horror Film “Friday the 13th” is also the name of a commercially successful Hollywood movie series. An image of a hockey mask donned by the film's character Jason is often associated with the film. In many Spanish speaking countries, Friday 13th is a lucky day. In fact, the Spanish edition of “Friday the 13th” was renamed “Tuesday the 13th” (“Martes 13”), because this is believed to be the unluckiest day of the year.

It is also a common belief that Friday 13 is a particularly lucky day for children to be born. Super Lucky Some people have won millions of dollars in lotteries on Friday 13. According to CNN.com, one British couple won $17 million after buying their lottery ticket on Friday 13. The same day, their mirror at home fell and broke, which according to superstition leads to seven years of bad luck. Judas – 13th guest at Last Supper Some say that the concept of Friday and the number 13 being unlucky may be linked to stories from the Bible. For example, Judas Iscariot, the apostle who betrayed Jesus, has been labelled "the 13th guest" at the Last Supper. Other biblical events that supposedly occurred on a Friday, include the great flood during the time of Noah, the confusion of languages at the Tower of Babel, the day Eve tempted Adam with the apple, and Good Friday , the day Jesus was crucified. On Friday 13, October 1307, a warrant was issued for the Knights Templar to be arrested. Masses of Templars were tortured or executed.

Loke – Norse Party Crasher The superstition surrounding Friday 13 could also be linked to Norse mythology. According to one legend, 12 gods were at a banquet at Valhalla when Loke, the demi god of mischief who was not invited, turned up, bringing the total number of guests to 13. He was responsible for the chaos that led to the death of one of the good gods – Balder – so all the gods grieved. Egyptian Afterlife The ancient Egyptians thought the number 13 was lucky because they believed that the 13th stage of life was related to the afterlife. After the decline of the ancient Egyptian civilization, the number 13 was still associated with death and fear. Symbols Some people believe that the number 13 and black cats, which are associated with Friday 13, are symbols of femininity. Friday the 13th Observances Friday 13th: The Most "Unlucky Day" in History | GreekReporter.com - Dec 13, 2013 Friday 13th is widely considered an ‘unlucky day’.

According to the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in Asheville, California, an estimated 17 to 21 million people in the United States are actively affected by a fear of Friday 13th, making it the most feared day in history. Some people refuse to fly, or close a business deal on this date, while others refuse to leave the house. “It’s been estimated that [US] $800 or 900 million is lost in business on this day because people will not fly or do business they would normally do,” said founder of the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute, Donald Dossey. According to Dossey, there is no ‘13th floor’ in more than 80 percent of high-rise buildings. Many airports choose to leave out the 13th gate and hospitals and hotels often do not have a room number 13. Why does this date strike fear into the hearts of so many people? Historical impact Despite being the most widespread superstition, the origins of Friggatriskaidekaphobia – as with most superstitions – are an inexact science.

Dossey traces fear of Friday 13 back to ancient, separate associations with bad luck surrounding Friday and the number 13, and references a myth dating back to Viking times. According to the myth, 12 gods were having a dinner party in their heaven, Valhalla. A 13th, uninvited guest known as Loki arrived, who arranged for Hoder – the blind god of darkness – to shoot Balder the Beautiful – the god of joy and gladness – with a mistletoe-tipped arrow: “Balder died and the whole Earth got dark. The whole Earth mourned. It was a bad, unlucky day,” Dossey explained. From that moment, the number 13 has been associated with sentiments of foreboding. According to Thomas Fernsler, an associate policy scientist at the University of Delaware, the number 13 suffers simply because it comes after the number 12. Numerologist consider 12 a “complete number”: there are 12 month in the year; 12 hours of the clock; and 12 signs of the Zodiac. The number 13 is irregular by comparison.

Friday is believed to have been considered an unlucky day since the 14th-century publication of Chaucer’s ‘The Canterbury Tales’: “And on a Friday fell all this mischance.” In Christianity, Friday is also the day on which Jesus was crucified and Eve tempted Adam with the forbidden fruit. More recent reasons for such a fear are said to stem from the Friday 13th series of films, or the ill-fated Apollo 13 moon mission. On April 13, two days after the start of the mission, an oxygen tank exploded leaving the astronauts fighting for survival. Phobia cures Phobia of Friday 13th is known as Friggatriskaidekaphobia, with ‘Frigga’ being the name of the Norse goddess after whom ‘Friday’ is named in English, and ‘triskaidekaphobia’ being a fear of the number 13. Cures for the phobia can be as simple as refocusing negative thoughts, as Professor Richard Wiseman, a psychologist at the University of Hertfordshire, explains: “They need to realise that they have the ability to create much of their own good and bad luck,” he said.

“And they should concentrate on being lucky by, for example, looking on the bright side of events in their lives.” Greece: Tuesday 13th Instead of Friday, Tuesday 13th is considered a particularly ‘unlucky day’ in Greece, as well as Spanish-speaking countries. For Greeks, Tuesday is said to be dominated by Ares, the god of war. The Greek name for ‘Tuesday’ is ‘Triti’, or ‘third’, heightening the superstition, since bad luck supposedly comes in groups of three. Lucky for some The 13th hasn’t always been considered an unlucky number. On the contrary, ancient Chinese and Egyptian civilizations, regarded it as lucky. Not one to give in to superstition, founding father of the United States, Benjamin Franklin, compiled a list of 13 virtues to strive for. In addition, many successful sports players have worn the number 13 shirt, including American and English footballers, and Olympic champions.

Notable people who died on Friday 13th Several notable people died on Friday 13th, including: Sam Patch (November 1829): A daredevil, Patch died during an attempt to jump over the 92-foot Genesee Falls in Rochester, US. His body was not found until the following spring. Sir Henry Segrave (June 1930): A world land speed record-holder, who died at the age of 33 while trying to set a water speed record on Lake Windermere in England. He survived just long enough to be told he’d broken the record. Benny Goodman (June 1986): Known as the ‘King of Swing’, the American jazz and swing musician died of a heart attack at the age of 77. Julia Child (August 2004): An American chef and television personality, Child died of kidney failure at the age of 91. Richard D Zanuck (July 2012): Hollywood producer and president of 20th Century Fox, Zanuck made his name with the film Jaws. He died of a heart attack, aged 77.

(source: euronews) Britain, Greece and Turkey Wrap up Security Talks on Cyprus Polycrates Until Obama became President the most feared day in the US was April 15th as it is the due date when all Federal taxes are due. Since he became president, it appears everyday is to be feared with some new tax, administrative calamity and government abuse. Many Americans are resigned to have lost their country forever as it is fast becoming a European socialist style of welfare state. Although their markets are up supported by printing play money, most citizens seem to be living paycheck to paycheck. Do not expect much from America in the future and that includes defense. LATEST Friday the 13th Friday the 13th Friday the 13th is a day full of superstitious beliefs in communities worldwide. Local names Friday the 13th is believed to be an unlucky day in many countries, but a lucky one in others. ©iStockphoto.com/Seregraff What do People do? For most people who consider Friday 13th unlucky , it is more a question of what they avoid doing, rather than what they do on this day.

The fear of Friday the 13th is called friggatriskaidekaphobia - "Frigg" is the Norse goddess whom Friday is named after and "triskaidekaphobia" means the fear of "13". It's also known as paraskevidekatriaphobia, partly from the Greek word for Friday. Truly Frightning It is a real fear - some people who have this disorder are even too afraid to say the words “Friday the 13th”. Others avoid flying on a plane, going to work, or even getting out of bed. According to the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in Asheville, North Carolina, millions of Americans are afraid of Friday the 13th. Symptoms of this fear range from mild anxiety and a nagging sense of doom to full-blown panic attacks. August the Worst In Brazil , Friday 13 in August is considered unluckier than any other Friday 13, especially as agosto (August) rhymes with desgosto (sorrow). Some charities use Friday 13 for fund raising events. At Port Dover in Ontario, Canada, there is a big celebration for motorcyclistscalled PD13, which attracts large crowds.

Other choose to have parties with unlucky or creepy themes similar to Halloween . Famous Horror Film “Friday the 13th” is also the name of a commercially successful Hollywood movie series. An image of a hockey mask donned by the film's character Jason is often associated with the film. In many Spanish speaking countries, Friday 13th is a lucky day. In fact, the Spanish edition of “Friday the 13th” was renamed “Tuesday the 13th” (“Martes 13”), because this is believed to be the unluckiest day of the year. It is also a common belief that Friday 13 is a particularly lucky day for children to be born. Super Lucky Some people have won millions of dollars in lotteries on Friday 13. According to CNN.com, one British couple won $17 million after buying their lottery ticket on Friday 13. The same day, their mirror at home fell and broke, which according to superstition leads to seven years of bad luck. Judas – 13th guest at Last Supper Some say that the concept of Friday and the number 13 being unlucky may be linked to stories from the Bible.

For example, Judas Iscariot, the apostle who betrayed Jesus, has been labelled "the 13th guest" at the Last Supper. Other biblical events that supposedly occurred on a Friday, include the great flood during the time of Noah, the confusion of languages at the Tower of Babel, the day Eve tempted Adam with the apple, and Good Friday , the day Jesus was crucified. On Friday 13, October 1307, a warrant was issued for the Knights Templar to be arrested. Masses of Templars were tortured or executed. Loke – Norse Party Crasher The superstition surrounding Friday 13 could also be linked to Norse mythology. According to one legend, 12 gods were at a banquet at Valhalla when Loke, the demi god of mischief who was not invited, turned up, bringing the total number of guests to 13. He was responsible for the chaos that led to the death of one of the good gods – Balder – so all the gods grieved. Egyptian Afterlife The ancient Egyptians thought the number 13 was lucky because they believed that the 13th stage of life was related to the afterlife.

After the decline of the ancient Egyptian civilization, the number 13 was still associated with death and fear. Symbols Some people believe that the number 13 and black cats, which are associated with Friday 13, are symbols of femininity. Friday the 13th Observances Friday the 13th Current location: Home page > Tools > Friday the 13th Friday the 13th Friday the 13th, also known as Friday 13 or Friday the thirteenth, has been considered as a day of bad luck in various countries for many years. However, contrary to popular belief that Friday 13 is an unlucky day, it is actually regarded as a lucky day by some people and in some cultures. Black cats are often associated with Friday the 13th. timeanddate.com The number of times Friday 13 occurs in the Gregorian calendar varies each year, from once a year to three times a year. Friday 13 occurs only once in 2010 – August 13. What do people do? Many parties, some with themes similar to Halloween , are celebrated on Friday 13 around the world.

Some charities and fundraising organizations use Friday 13 to hold functions and events to help raise funds for their causes. Other events may include wine tasting nights, art exhibitions, music evenings and dance nights. Friday 13 is a big celebration at Port Dover in Ontario, Canada. It is a day for motorcyclists to gather and it happens every Friday 13. The event attracts large crowds who gather at the town each year and is supported by PD13, a nonprofit organization that coordinates Friday the 13th events in Port Dover. For those born on Friday 13, it is their lucky day according to myth. Some people win large amounts of money through the lottery or buy lucky lottery tickets on Friday 13. According to CNN.com, one British couple bought their winning ticket on Friday 13 shortly after a mirror at their home fell off the living room wall and smashed. The lucky couple won $17 million. Public life Friday 13, as an event, is not a public holiday and public life is not affected. Background The fear of Friday the 13th, also known as paraskevidekatriaphobia, does not derive from scientific explanation.

It stems from mythology, superstition, old wives’ tales and stories of tragedy that are connected to this day. It is unclear as to where superstitions surrounding the day originated from. Some say that the concept of Friday 13 being an unlucky day is linked with events that occurred in the Christian Bible, and they interpret that these events occurred on a Friday. Examples include the great flood during the time of Noah, the confusion of languages at the Tower of Babel, the day Eve tempted Adam with the apple, and the day Jesus Christ died. The superstition surrounding Friday 13 could also be linked to Norse mythology. According to legend, 12 gods were at a banquet at Valhalla when Loki, the god of mischief who was not invited, turned up, bringing the total number of guests to 13. He was responsible for the chaos that led to the death of one of the gods so all the gods grieved. The name Friday was also derived from a Norse deity, known either as Frigg or Freya, who appeared before a group of 12 witches and gave one of them her cats, which comprised 13 in the group after that.

The events that occurred on October 13, 1307, which was on a Friday according to the Gregorian calendar (although the Gregorian calendar was not introduced until 1582) is also said to be linked to the Friday 13 superstition. It was a day when officers of King Philip IV of France arrested masses of Templar knights for heresy, blasphemy and other activities. It is believed that hundreds of Templars were tortured or executed by burning at the stake despite popular belief that none of the charges were proven. The fear of Friday 13 continues in many places around the world. According to Dr Donald Dossey, author and founder of the Stress Management Center/Phobia Institute, up to 21 million Americans fear Friday the 13th. He also said much money would be lost in business because people refused to shop, travel or take risks on this day. Moreover, symptoms of this fear range from mild anxiety and a nagging sense of doom to full-blown panic attacks. Friday 13 in August is considered unluckier than any other Friday 13 in Brazil, especially as agosto (so spelt) rhymes with desgosto (sorrow).

It is easy to blame Friday 13 for unfortunate events but this day was not always believed to be unlucky in history and in some cultures. The ancient Egyptians thought the number 13 was lucky because they believed that the 13th stage of life was related to the afterlife. After the decline of the ancient Egyptian civilization the number 13 was still associated with death but in a fearful manner. However, Friday is seen as the holiest day of the week in the Islamic world. It is set aside for communal worship where Muslims attend the Mosque. For people living in countries of the Arabian Peninsula, as well as Iraq, Friday is regarded as a day of rest. Symbols Some people believe that the number 13 and black cats, which are associated with Friday 13, are symbols of femininity. Friday the 13th has been commercialized by Hollywood movies such as American cult horror film “Friday the 13th” and its sequels. An image of a hockey mask is often associated with the film.

The movie was renamed to Tuesday the 13th ("Martes 13") in many Spanish speaking countries because the day of bad luck falls on Tuesday 13 instead of Friday 13, although some countries retain the original title in Spanish ("Viernes 13"). Advertising 13 Facts About Friday the 13th History of Friday the 13th 2. Yet, the Fear is Very Real... So real that one scientific name wasn't enough. The fear of Friday the 13th is also called friggatriskaidekaphobia or paraskevidekatriaphobia. Now say that 10 times really fast! Friggatriskaidekaphobia comes from Frigg, the Norse goddess of wisdom after whom Friday is named, and the Greek words triskaideka, meaning 13, and phobia, meaning fear. Paraskevidekatriaphobia is also derived from Greek: paraskeví translates as Friday, and dekatria is another way of saying 13. 3. ...And Very Common!

Experts say that friggatriskaidekaphobia affects millions of people and estimate that businesses, especially airlines suffer from severe losses on Friday the 13th. Triskaidekaphobia, or the fear of the number 13, is even more widespread. So much so that many high-rise buildings, hotels, and hospitals skip the 13th floor and many airports do not have gates numbered 13. In many parts of the world, having 13 people at the dinner table is considered bad luck. 4. Friday the 13th Can Come in Threes A bit of bad news for all of you who suffer from friggatriskaidekaphobia – all years will have at least one Friday the 13th. The good news is that there cannot be more than three Friday the 13ths in any given calendar year. The longest one can go without seeing a Friday the 13th is 14 months. When is the next Friday the 13th? 5. Blame Sunday For a month to have a Friday the 13th, the month must begin on a Sunday. Don't believe us? Check out our Calendars and test it for yourself. 6.

Friday the 13th Patterns Repeat in the Calendar There is a calendrical method to the madness of Friday the 13th. Whenever a common year begins on a Thursday, the months of February, March, and November will have a Friday the 13th. This will happen 11 times in the 21st century. The February-March-November pattern repeats in a 28-year cycle. In the 21st century, the cycle began in 2009. In 2015, 6 years later, Friday the 13th occurred in February, March, and November. This won't happen for 11 more years until 2026 and we'll have to wait again for 11 years until 2037 to see the February, March, and November trilogy. This pattern will repeat itself starting 2043, 6 years after 2037. About the months of the year 7. Even During Leap Years Three Friday the 13ths can occur in a leap year as well.

If January 1 of a leap year falls on a Sunday, the months of January, April, and July will each have a Friday the 13th. In the 20th century, this happened in 1928, 1956, and 1984. And in the 21st century this will happen four times in 2012, 2040, 2068, and 2096. Notice something interesting? Yes, it is the 28-year cycle again! 8. Fittingly, Alfred Hitchcock Was Born on the 13th The master of suspense was born on August 13, 1899 – so Friday, August 13, 1999 would have been his 100th birthday. He made his directorial debut in 1922 with a movie called Number 13. Unfortunately, the film was doomed from the start and never got off the ground due to financial troubles.

Other celebrities and well-known personalities born on a Friday the 13th include actors Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen; novelist and playwright, Samuel Beckett; and former President of Cuba, Fidel Castro. 9. It's an Unlucky Day Only For Some Friday the 13th is not universally seen as a day of misery. For example, in Italy, Friday the 17th and not Friday the 13th is considered to be a day that brings bad luck. In fact, the number 13 is thought to be a lucky number! In many Spanish speaking countries and in Greece, Tuesday the 13th is seen as a day of misfortune. 10. And Research Suggests That It May Not Be Unlucky After All There is very little evidence to show that Friday the 13th is indeed an unlucky day. Many studies have shown that Friday the 13th has little or no effect on events like accidents, hospital visits, and natural disasters. 11. The Day Inspired One of the Highest Grossing Film Series The commercially successful Friday the 13th enterprise includes 12 horror movies, a television series, and several books that focus on curses and superstitions.

Even though the films and the television series consistently received negative reviews from critics, they have a huge following. The mask worn by the key character in the films, Jason Voorhees, is one of the most known images in popular culture. 12. And a Country to Raise Safety and Accident Awareness Since 1995, Finland has dedicated one Friday the 13th in a year to observe National Accident Day. The day aims to raise awareness about safety – on the roads, at home, and at the workplace. 13. An Asteroid Will Safely Fly By the Earth in 2029 On a Friday the 13th! Friday, April the 13th, 2029 to be exact. When 99942 Apophis was discovered in 2004, it was thought to have a small chance of colliding with Earth. But you can rest easy because since then, scientists have revised their findings which show that there is absolutely no risk of the asteroid impacting the Earth or the Moon.

Tuesday the 13th in Mexico - Focus on Mexico Focus On Mexico Tuesday the 13th in Mexico By Karen McConnaughey In May this year, we have a Tuesday the 13th…Martes Trece! And, while it is a common day for most English speakers, if you live in a Spanish-speaking country, Martes 13 is día de la mala suerte or the equivalent to Friday the 13th…the “bad luck day.” And, some traditional superstitions about bad luck…black cats crossing your path, walking under a ladder, opening an umbrella in the house and breaking a mirror…seem to be universal—these things are just as avidly avoided here as they are North of the Border. There is a popular saying in Spanish…well-known in Latin America and inspired by this superstition…that goes Martes, ni te cases, ni te embarques (Tuesday, nor get married, nor embark) that means stay at home, don’t travel and even don’t get married on this day because it is bad luck. For some reason, thirteen has been afforded the superstition of being unlucky for both Friday and Tuesday and many other items.

In many countries, most buildings do not have a “thirteenth” floor so to speak…so I guess you don’t even want to be on the 14th floor either! In Mexico, the hotels do not have any rooms or buildings with the number 13! Friday is arguably considered unlucky because Christ was crucified on a Friday. On one blog, they state there are two different theories as to why in Spanish-speaking countries, Tuesday is considered a bad luck day over Friday. The first theory theorizes that Tuesday is tied to Mars, the Roman god of war. In many European languages with Latin origins, Tuesday is named after Mars. In Spanish, for example, martes is an evolution of the word Mars or Marte. The other theory contends Tuesday is considered the unluckiest day of the week because Constantinople fell during the Fourth Crusade on April 13, 1204, a Tuesday. And then the Ottoman Turks conquered Constantinople on a Tuesday – May 29, 1453 to be exact..! These attacks further strengthened the idea that Tuesday, Mars’ day, was bad news!

As Mexico Bob states, “The Turks overwhelmed the city and anyone caught out in the open or in the streets was killed by Muslim swords and the blood ran ankle deep in the streets and emptied into the sea, turning it red. For the people living there at the time it was the end of the world and it will forever be remembered as “Black Tuesday”. That is why the saying goes “Don’t even go out of your house” when Tuesday falls on the 13th because it is a very unlucky day.” There are a number of theories behind the cause of the association between 13 and bad luck, with the most prominent being that there were 13 people at the Last Supper. It’s said that Judas Iscariot — the one who betrayed Jesus — was the 13th man to take his place at the table. One web site contends that the reason 13 is bad is that kids officially become teenagers at the age of 13, and we all know that’s a scary phase, but I won’t go there! Did you also know that fear of the number 13 is a specifically recognized phobia, Triskaidekaphobia, a word coined in 1911.

The superstitious sufferers of triskaidekaphobia try to avoid bad luck by keeping away from anything numbered or labeled thirteen. S0, good luck on Martes Trece. I’ll be at home…in my bed…under my covers! Karen McConnaughey: Operations Manager for FocusOnMexico . Focus On Mexico offers Learning Adventures to Ajijic and Lake Chapala, Mexico (2nd Best Climate in the World). Join us on a Focus program and learn why thousands of Americans and Canadians chose to retire in Lake Chapala. Our expert speakers cover all topics: Health Care, Real Estate, Legal System, Immigration, Bringing Pets, Cost of Living, US Taxes for Americans, Non-Residency for Canadians, Living on the Lakeside, Investing in Mexico, Mexican Economy and much more... You’ll get everything you need to help you decide if Lake Chapala, Mexico is the place for you, plus have a lot of fun doing it. Retiring in Mexico couldn't be better. Sources: Why is Friday the 13th Considered Unlucky? | Mental Floss Why is Friday the 13th Considered Unlucky?

Thinkstock Like us on Facebook Today, people around the globe will feel uneasy about getting out of bed, leaving their homes, or going about their normal daily routines, all because of a superstition. These unfortunate folks suffer from “ paraskavedekatriaphobia ,” a common neurosis familiar to us all—the fear of Friday the 13th. But just where did this superstitious association come from, and how did it catch on? The truth is that no one is absolutely sure where the idea that Friday the 13th is unlucky originated. Donald Dossey , the founder of the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in Asheville, North Carolina suspects the fear can be traced back to a Norse myth about 12 gods who had a dinner at Valhalla—the fabled hall where legendary Norse heroes feasted for eternity after they died—that was interrupted by a 13th guest, the evil and mischievous god Loki.

According to legend, Loki tricked Höðr (the blind god of winter and son of Odin, the supreme god in Norse mythology) into shooting his brother Baldr (the benevolent god of summer who was also a son of Odin) with a magical spear tipped with mistletoe—the only substance that could defeat him. Thus the number 13 was branded as unlucky because of the ominous period of mourning following the loss of such powerful gods by this unwanted 13th guest. For whatever reason, among many cultures, the number 12 emerged throughout history as a "complete" number: There are 12 months in a year, 12 signs of the zodiac, 12 Gods of Olympus, 12 sons of Odin, 12 labors of Hercules, 12 Jyotirlingas or Hindu shrines where Shiva is worshipped, 12 successors of Muhammad in Shia Islam, and 12 tribes of Israel. In Christianity, Jesus was betrayed by one of his 12 Apostles— Judas —who was the 13th guest to arrive for the Last Supper.

Surpassing the number 12 ostensibly unbalances the ideal nature of things; because it is seen as irregular and disrespectful of a sense of perfection, the number 13 bears the stigma of misfortune and bad luck we know today. WHY FRIDAY? Friday joins in the mix mostly because all of the early accounts of Jesus’ crucifixion agree that it took place on Friday—the standard day for crucifixions in Rome. As Chaucer noted in The Canterbury Tales, "And on a Friday fell all this mischance." Yet perpetuating Friday as an unlucky day in America came from the late-19th century American tradition of holding all executions on Fridays; Friday the 13th became the unluckiest of days simply because it combined two distinct superstitions into one. According to the Oxford University Press Dictionary of Superstitions, the first reference to Friday the 13th itself wasn’t until 1913.

(So despite actually occurring on Friday, October 13, 1307, the popular notion that the Friday the 13th stigma comes from the date on which the famed order of the Knights Templar were wiped out by King Philip of France is just a coincidence.) The repercussions of these phobias reverberated through American culture, particularly in the 20th century. Most skyscrapers and hotels lack a 13th floor, which specifically comes from the tendency in the early 1900s for buildings in New York City to omit the unlucky number (though both the Empire State Building and the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel have 13th floors). Street addresses sometimes skip from 12 to 14, while airports may skip the 13th gate. Allegedly, the popular Friday the 13th films were so-named just to cash in on this menacing date recognition, not because the filmmakers actually believed the date to be unlucky. So, is Friday the 13th actually unlucky? Despite centuries of superstitious behavior, it largely seems like psychological mumbo jumbo.

( One 1993 study seemed to reveal that, statistically speaking, Friday the 13th is unlucky, but the study's authors told LiveScience that though the data was accurate, "the paper was just a bit of fun and not to be taken seriously." Other studies have shown no correlation between things like increased accidents or injuries and Friday the 13th.) And Friday the 13th isn't a big deal in other cultures, which have their own unlucky days: Greeks and Spanish-speaking countries consider Tuesday the 13th to be the unluckiest day, while Italians steer clear of Friday the 17th. So today, try to rest a little easy—Friday the 13th may not be so unlucky after all. Why is Friday 17th considered so unlucky by Italians? | Irish Examiner Why is Friday 17th considered so unlucky by Italians? Friday, April 17, 2015 It’s great to wake up and know it’s Friday, with all the hope and expectation of the weekend ahead. But if you happen to hail from a country shaped like a boot, there’s a good chance you will spend today gripped by fear.

That’s because in Italy Friday 17 is the most unlucky date of the calendar – much like Friday 13 in the Anglo-Saxon world. (If you count this as exciting trivia, you might also like to know that in Spanish-speaking countries Tuesday 13 is the unlucky date.) Spot anything unlucky in this quiet Italian town? (wlodi/ Flickr ) But is there any logic to this? Well sort of, and it’s actually quite beautiful in a macabre way. As successors to the Romans, Italians are well aware that 17 in Roman numerals is XVII. If this is rearranged as an anagram you can make: VIXI. In Latin, “vixi” means “I have lived” – the perfect tense that can also be taken to mean “my life is over”. As a result, Friday 17 is overburdened with brooding potents of death. (Anthony Majanlahti/ Flickr ) But today, Friday April 17, isn’t the worst possible day in the Italian calendar. No, that would fall in November.

As in other Catholic countries, November 2 is marked as a day for the deceased (Mexico’s Dia de los Muertos celebrations are perhaps the most famous example). When Friday 17 falls in November, it’s like all that impending doom gets multiplied. The phenomenon is known as “the month of the deceased”. But do Italians take all this seriously? Well there are a fair few examples suggesting they do. Here are a some of them: 1. Many hotels and other buildings in Italy will skip floor 17. 2. The Italian airline Alitalia doesn’t have a row 17 on any of its aircraft. (Luca Bruno/AP) 3. Renault chose to sell their R17 model in Italy as R177. (Niels de Wit/ Flickr ) 4. At the Cesana Pariol bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton track in Cesana, the 17th turn is called “Senza Nome” (“no name”). (Ed Stannard/ Flickr ) 5.

The 2000 parody film “Shriek If You Know What I Did Last Friday the Thirteenth” was sold in Italy as “Shriek - Hai impegni per venerdì 17?” (“Shriek - Do You Have Something to Do on Friday the 17th?”) The movie “starred” – among others – rapper Coolio (Eric Draper/AP)

Question: In many Spanish-speaking countries which day of the week is considered unlucky if it falls on the 13th of the month?
Answer: Tuesday