The Friday the 13th superstition has undergone a fascinating evolution over the centuries, reflecting the changing attitudes and beliefs of our society.
Roots in Ancient Religious and Cultural Traditions
The association between Friday and the number 13 with bad luck is primarily rooted in Christian tradition. According to the Gospels, Jesus Christ was crucified on a Friday. At his last meal, known as the Last Supper, he was surrounded by twelve apostles, making a total of thirteen guests, with Judas often identified as the traitor who betrayed Jesus to the Romans. This betrayal reinforced the idea that the thirteenth guest was a symbol of misfortune.
There are also roots in Norse mythology. In one legend, Odin invited twelve gods to a banquet, but Loki, considered an evil god, invited himself and became the thirteenth guest. Its arrival led to the death of the god Balder, thus reinforcing the idea that the number thirteen is associated with disaster.
In the Middle Ages, this superstition was reinforced, particularly with significant historical events such as the arrest of the Knights Templar by King Philip the Fair on Friday, October 13, 1307. This event deeply anchored this belief in the collective imagination.
The number 13 is therefore often perceived as disruptive, an imbalance, unlike the number 12 in Western culture, which is associated with order and completeness (12 months in a year, 12 hours on a clock).
Less unfortunate today?
However, over time, the perception of Friday the 13th has evolved considerably. A significant turning point occurred in the 1930s, when a campaign by the French National Lottery began to transform Friday the 13th into a lucky day. This symbolic inversion has gradually changed popular perception. Today, nearly one in three French people consider Friday the 13th to have a “positive impact,” almost twice as many as ten years ago. Gambling games, such as the lottery, now hold special draws on this day, attracting many players.
Currently, attitudes toward Friday the 13th are varied. Some continue to perceive it as an unlucky day, avoiding making important decisions or traveling. Others see it as an opportunity to try their luck, particularly at games of chance. A portion of the population remains indifferent or regards this superstition with amusement. And you?
Paraskevidekatriaphobia
The psychological impact of this superstition nevertheless persists. “Paraskevidekatriaphobia,” or fear of Friday the 13th, continues to affect some people, influencing their behavior on this day. Additionally, the nocebo effect can lead some people to interpret minor events occurring on Friday the 13th negatively, reinforcing their belief.
The Friday the 13th superstition has thus evolved from a primarily negative belief to a more complex and nuanced perception. Today, it ranges from an unlucky day, an opportunity for good fortune, to simple cultural curiosity.
What about other countries?
In Spain and many Latin American countries, such as Argentina and Mexico, Tuesday the 13th is considered an unlucky day. This belief is linked to Tuesday's association with Mars, the Roman god of war, symbolizing destruction and chaos. The Spanish expression “En martes, ni te cases ni te embarques” (On Tuesdays, don’t get married or get married) illustrates this superstition well.
In Italy, Friday the 17th is feared more than Friday the 13th. This fear stems from the fact that the Roman numeral XVII can be rearranged to form the Latin word “VIXI,” meaning “my life is over.” Oddly enough, the number 13 is generally considered lucky in Italy.
In Asian cultures, particularly China, Japan, and Korea, it is the number 4 that is considered unlucky. The reason for this is that the pronunciation of the word “four” is very similar to that of the word “death” in many Asian languages. This superstition is so strong that many buildings in Asia do not have a fourth story.
In Thailand, the perception is completely different. Friday is generally considered a lucky day, associated with the color blue, which symbolizes good fortune. Additionally, Thais consider it unlucky to cut their hair on Wednesday, a day considered sacred.
What are the next Friday the 13ths?
There will be 16 Friday the 13ths in the coming years starting today:
- 2025: June 13
- 2026: February 13, March 13, November 13
- 2027: August 13, October 13
- 2028: October 13, December 13
- 2029: April 13, July 13
- 2030: September 13, December 13
- 2031: June 13
- 2032: February 13, August 13
- 2033: May 13
It is interesting to note that the number of Friday the 13ths varies from year to year. Some years have as many as three, such as 2026, while others have only one, such as 2025, 2031, and 2033. Most years have two. This variation is due to the structure of the Gregorian calendar and how the days of the week align with the dates of the month over the years.
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