Friday the 13th is here. Are you scared? Can’t wait for the day to get over? I bet if you knew the history behind Friday the 13th, you would have joined me in celebrating this day, not dreading it!
If you have a deep-seated fear about Friday the 13th and try to survive this day without making any big decisions or avoiding risks, know that you are not alone.
There is an air of trepidation and paranoia surrounding this infamous day, so much so that there is a legit phobia for this day, called friggatriskaidekaphobia (I am just scared of having to pronounce it).
Anyway, what if I tell you that this fear has been purposefully created and meticulously handed over to generations after generations to perpetuate a bias? For many this day is a day for caution. Some even avoid the number 13 altogether like a plague.
All these due to a medieval superstition, one that came into existence in the middle ages for a specific purpose. To move past the fear and reclaim this day as a day of empowerment and knowledge, we must dig deeper into the Friday the 13th superstition origin.
Read: 6 Friday The 13th Superstitions You Should Definitely Avoid (Or Not?)
History Behind Friday The 13th
The fear of Friday the 13th is deeply rooted in religious, cultural, and historical events. Here are some legends surrounding its origin:
1. The Arrests of the Order of the Knights Templar
According to some, its source can be traced back to the arrests of the order of the Knights Templar. On October 13, 1307, King Philip IV of France ordered the mass arrest of the Knights Templar, a powerful and wealthy military order originally founded to protect Christian pilgrims in the Holy Land.
Acting with secrecy and speed, Philip’s agents apprehended hundreds of Templars across France. They were accused of heresy, blasphemy, and other crimes; charges widely believed to be fabricated so Philip could seize their vast wealth and eliminate their political influence.
Under torture, many Templars confessed to false crimes. The crackdown ultimately led to the dissolution of the Order by Pope Clement V in 1312, under pressure from Philip.
Tainting the day with the theme of betrayal, this tragic event gave rise to legends and conspiracy theories, and it is often cited in tales of lost Templar treasure and secret knowledge.
2. The Last Supper
Others trace the roots of the myth of Friday the 13th to the Last Supper, where Judas, considered the 13th guest at the table, betrayed Jesus, setting the stage for His crucifixion, which tradition holds occurred on a Friday.
Over time, the convergence of the number 13 and the day Friday, each carrying its own ominous weight, fused into a single, unlucky symbol in the collective imagination.
3. Norse Mythology
In Norse legend, a similar tale exists: Loki, the trickster god, crashed a feast as the 13th guest, leading to chaos and the death of a beloved god, Balder.
4. Numerology
The number 12 is often seen as “complete” (12 months, 12 zodiac signs, 12 apostles), while 13 is viewed as irregular or disruptive, associated with imbalance and bad luck.
5. Pagan Traditions
The most devious origin story, however, is how organized religion used Friday the 13th to systematically villainize and stigmatize the ancient Pagan community, especially their women. In Paganism, the number 13 is considered sacred and powerful, often associated with the Divine Feminine, natural cycles, and moon magic.
This reverence stems from the fact that there are 13 lunar cycles in a year, and many ancient lunar calendars used by early agrarian and goddess-worshipping societies were based on these cycles.
Additionally, traditional covens often consist of 13 members, symbolizing unity and balance in magical practice. Far from being unlucky, 13 is seen as a number of transformation, renewal, and alignment with nature’s rhythms.
As patriarchal societies gained dominance, they devised a strategy to undermine these ancient beliefs by casting the number 13 as unlucky, a subtle yet impactful strategy to diminish women’s power and spiritual significance.
So, after knowing about the Friday the 13th superstition history, it’s time to change the game. We need to realize this ancient fear is just a narrative that we have been fed, one which we must challenge to change, to begin a new one.
Friday the 13th: A Self-Fulfilling Prophecy?
To flip the script on this inherited bias, we must first acknowledge our fear. After understanding the Friday the 13th superstition history, we need to accept how this fear can germinate its roots deep in our subconscious.
When we get consumed by this fear and let it influence our decisions, we miss out on opportunities. When we convince ourselves that something bad will inevitably happen, chances are, we will notice every little mishap, which will further reinforce our fear.
To counter this, you can embrace the following strategies:
- Be aware of the Friday the 13th superstition origin.
- Looking at the statistics, there is no proven record that says Friday the 13th is anymore dangerous than any other day.
- Mindfulness techniques like visualization or breathing exercises can keep you rooted firmly in reality.
- A walk or meditation can also help you shift your focus.
- Setting and meeting a personal or professional goal specifically for this day can enable you to believe that the power lies within you, not on any arbitrary date.
- Get inspired from stories like how Apple boldly chose Friday, October 13, 2006, to launch its 5th generation iPod—a move that proved visionary.
- Humor is a powerful way to ease fear. Share a funny Friday the 13th joke or meme. Laughter helps lighten even the heaviest worries.
By reclaiming the day, we can transmute fear into strength and Friday the 13th can become a day when we win, not hide in fear.
Read: If You Watch These Occult Movies On Friday The 13th… Don’t Say We Didn’t Warn You!
Rewrite the Story, Reclaim the Day
In the end, Friday the 13th is just another day, its power lies in what we choose to believe. By understanding the history behind Friday the 13th, acknowledging how fear influences us, and deciding to respond differently, we can transform superstition into strength. So this Friday the 13th, let’s make a quiet pact with ourselves: see it not as a curse, but as a chance to rewrite old beliefs, welcome fresh perspectives, and remind ourselves that we shape our own stories.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When is the next Friday the 13th?
The next Friday the 13th is coming up soon—it’s on June 13, 2025.
Why is Friday the 13th unlucky?
The superstition around Friday the 13th stems from a blend of religious tales, historical events, and cultural myths—like Judas being the 13th guest at the Last Supper before Jesus’s Friday crucifixion, Norse legends of chaos caused by a 13th guest, and the mass arrest of the Knights Templar on Friday, October 13, 1307. Over time, the number 13 came to symbolize disruption, and Friday gained a dark reputation—together forming a date long viewed as unlucky, though its real power lies in what we believe.
What is Friday the 13th?
Friday the 13th is a date considered unlucky in Western superstition, where the supposedly ill-fated number 13 coincides with Friday, a day historically associated with bad luck. This combination has long been viewed as ominous due to a mix of religious, mythological, and historical influences. Though rooted in myth more than fact, the superstition remains strong in pop culture, even inspiring horror films, jokes, and anxiety for some. Ultimately, it’s a symbol of how cultural beliefs can shape how we experience time and events.
Leave a Comment