Friday the 13th: Superstitious Day to Occur Three Times in 13 Weeks
Today is Friday the 13th but it’s only the first of three this year. The superstitious day will occur two more times in 2012. Once in April and once again in July. That’s three Friday the 131ths in 13 weeks.
Which is bad news for people who suffer from paraskevidekatriaphobia or triskaidekaphobia (fear of Friday the 13th). According to the Daily Mail, there are more than 60 million people worldwide who fear Friday the 13th.
And to make matters worse, it also 2012. Which may not mean much to you but doomsday sayers will undoubtedly use the numerous Friday the 13ths this year to backup their end of the world claims.
Most people trace fears of Friday the 13th back to the crucifixion of Jesus. There were 13 people at the last supper and Jesus was crucified on a Friday. Some people still believe that dining with 13 people is bad luck. According to the International Business Times, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt refused to dine with 13 people and refused to travel on the 13th day of any month.
Other experts trace back the evil origins of 13 to the Code of Hammurabi which was enacted without a 13th law. Friday, according to History.com, was also the day that Eve offered Adam the forbidden fruit. Others point to the demise of the Knights Templar, who were arrested on October 13th, 1307. It was a Friday.
The superstition has crept into modern culture. Many tall buildings are built without a 13th floor. The ill-fated Apollo 13 mission gave triskaidekaphobes “proof” that the number 13 was unlucky.
Fears of Friday the 13th also have an affect on the economy. Donald Dossey, founder of the Phobia institute, told National Geographic:
“It’s been estimated that $800 or $900 million is lost in business on this day, because people will not fly or do business they would normally do.”
Are you afraid of Friday the 13th? Do you think it’s extra unlucky that 2012 will have three Friday the 13ths? According to the Delaware Online, it isn’t that peculiar. The same thing happened in 2009 and it will happen again in 2015.
