It’s that time again—Friday the 13th—the day that strikes fear into the hearts of the superstitious. Some folks refuse to leave the house, while others are crossing their fingers that their black cat stays out of sight. But why is this seemingly ordinary day drenched in bad vibes and spooky superstitions? Why do some people still take the number 13 so seriously that it affects everything from travel plans to buying a house?
Grab your lucky charms, because we’re diving into why Friday the 13th has stuck around as a day full of eerie energy—and why some people just can’t shake the superstition.
The Origins of the Friday the 13th Myth
Before we get into why people still avoid doing just about anything on Friday the 13th, let’s rewind and take a look at how this day became so... cursed.
The fear of the number 13—triskaidekaphobia—dates back centuries. In many cultures, the number 12 is seen as a symbol of completeness (think 12 months in a year, 12 signs of the zodiac), so anything beyond that feels... a little off. 13 is like that extra slice of cake you know you shouldn’t have—something about it feels wrong.
As for Friday? In the Christian tradition, Friday is considered an unlucky day because it’s believed to be the day Jesus was crucified. Combine that with an unlucky number, and voilà ! You’ve got a recipe for one spooky day.
The modern obsession with Friday the 13th really took off with the publication of Thomas Lawson’s 1907 novel "Friday the 13th", in which a stockbroker uses the day’s bad luck vibes to crash the market. Then, of course, there’s the Friday the 13th slasher franchise, which brought Jason Voorhees and his hockey mask to iconic status and solidified the day as a pop culture symbol of bad luck.
Why Do People Still Believe in Superstitions?
You might be thinking, “Surely, no one really believes this stuff anymore, right?” But superstitions are deeply ingrained in human nature, and plenty of people still get a little jumpy when Friday the 13th rolls around. So why do some of us hold onto these old beliefs in our modern, science-based world?
1. Comfort in Control
Superstitions often provide a sense of control in an unpredictable world. If you believe avoiding certain actions (like walking under a ladder or stepping on cracks) can prevent bad things from happening, you feel like you’ve got a little more power over your fate. On Friday the 13th, people are more likely to steer clear of risky behaviors—not because they’re really convinced something bad will happen, but because why tempt fate?
2. It’s Cultural
Superstitions are often passed down from generation to generation. If you grew up hearing your grandmother talk about the dangers of breaking a mirror or spilling salt, you might carry those beliefs into adulthood without even realizing it. For many people, these rituals and superstitions are tied to cultural traditions and folklore, which keeps them alive and well in modern times.
3. The Power of Suggestion
Our minds are pretty powerful when it comes to expectations. If you wake up on Friday the 13th expecting bad things to happen, you’re more likely to notice when things go wrong. That stubbed toe? Must be because it’s Friday the 13th! The idea that this day is “unlucky” can become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
4. Confirmation Bias
Ever notice how people love to tell stories about the weird or unlucky things that happen on Friday the 13th? That’s because we tend to remember the things that confirm our beliefs. If something strange happens on a regular Tuesday, you’ll probably forget about it. But if it happens on Friday the 13th, you’re likely to think, “I knew this day was cursed!”
Superstitions Beyond Friday the 13th
Of course, Friday the 13th isn’t the only day that’s wrapped in superstition. From avoiding the number 13 on elevators (look at most hotels and you’ll see they skip from floor 12 to 14) to tossing salt over your shoulder, humans have created all sorts of little rituals to ward off bad luck.
1. Black Cats
If you’re superstitious, crossing paths with a black cat is a big no-no. In the Middle Ages, black cats were associated with witches, and that bad reputation has followed them ever since. But don’t worry—your black cat is probably just plotting their next nap, not your demise.
2. Knocking on Wood
Need to avoid jinxing yourself? Knock on wood! This superstition goes way back to the belief that spirits lived in trees. By knocking on wood, people thought they could call on those spirits for protection. Today, it’s still common to see people knock on a wooden surface after saying something they don’t want to jinx.
3. Breaking a Mirror
According to superstition, breaking a mirror brings seven years of bad luck. Why? In ancient times, mirrors were thought to reflect a person’s soul. If the mirror broke, so did the soul—ouch! Luckily, most people now see this as a fun myth (unless you’ve got a streak of bad luck, in which case... maybe grab some glue).
Do Bad Things Really Happen on Friday the 13th?
Okay, but let’s be real—has anything truly terrible happened on Friday the 13th, or is it just one big coincidence?
Here’s the thing: bad things happen all the time, but Friday the 13th gives them a creepy backdrop. For instance, on Friday, October 13, 1972, a plane crashed in the Andes, and the survivors had to resort to cannibalism to stay alive (talk about unlucky). But disasters and mishaps can (and do) happen any day of the week. We just tend to remember the ones that line up with a superstitious date.
Breaking the Spell of Superstition
If you’re still feeling a little freaked out about Friday the 13th, fear not—there are plenty of ways to break the cycle of superstition:
- Rational thinking: Remind yourself that Friday the 13th is just another day. Your odds of something bad happening are no different from any other Friday.
- Good luck charms: If superstitions give you comfort, there’s nothing wrong with keeping a lucky coin or rabbit’s foot nearby.
- Focus on the positive: Instead of dreading Friday the 13th, turn it into a day of celebration. Host a "Lucky Friday the 13th" party or treat yourself to something special.
Final Thoughts: Embrace the Spookiness (or Not)
Whether you’re a full-on triskaidekaphobe or just a casual believer in good vibes, Friday the 13th is one of those days that will always come with a little extra drama. But hey, if you can survive another workweek, what’s a little superstition in the grand scheme of things?
So, go ahead and step on that crack (your mom’s back will be fine). Break the mirror (it’s time for a new one anyway). And if a black cat crosses your path? Give it a scratch behind the ears—it’s just trying to help you conquer your fears, one superstition at a time.