This is why Friday the 13th is considered unlucky

Friday the 13th has always been known as the spookiest, or rather the most unlucky day which occurs on the 13th day of the month which falls on a Friday. The reason why Friday the 13th is considered bad luck and the superstition thereof originate from the story of Jesus’ last supper and crucifixion attended by Jesus Christ and His 12 disciples on Maundy Thursday, which was the night before his crucifixion (death) by the Roman soldiers on Good Friday.

Did you also know that the fear regarding the number thirteen is called triskaidekaphobia, – yes, there is a name for it. Some hotels do not have the 13th floor and skip right to the 14th floor. The fear of Friday the 13th is also known as friggatriskaidekaphobia or paraskevidekatriaphobia, I cannot make this up.

Friday the 13th can occur up to 3 times in a year, and we can go up to 14 months without it.

If a month begins on Sunday, the 13th will fall on a Friday – sounds crazy but it’s true. Not everyone fears this day, to some, it is just an ordinary day for a nice cup of coffee. The day’s notoriety is believed to be biblical, however, the date also occurs in the biography of Italian composer Gioachino Rossini, who died on Friday the 13th, and there’s also a book by American businessman Thomas Lawson, called Friday the Thirteenth published in 1907 which may have perpetuated the superstition.

The idea and/or the fear of the day may have also been instilled by horror movies about Friday the 13th. In South Africa, not so many people are afraid of the day, it is just a normal day for normal activities.