Fridaythe13th

Friday the 13th refers to the occurrence of the 13th day of a month falling on a Friday, which happens approximately once every 212 days in the Gregorian calendar. This date combination has become widely associated with superstition and bad luck in Western culture, despite having no inherent ominous properties.

The fear of Friday the 13th, known as paraskevidekatriaphobia or friggatriskaidekaphobia, affects an estimated 17 to 21 million Americans. The superstition likely stems from the combination of two separate cultural fears: the number 13 and Friday as an unlucky day. In Christian tradition, 13 guests attended the Last Supper, with Judas being the 13th to arrive, while Friday is associated with the crucifixion of Jesus. Additionally, the number 12 is often seen as representing completeness in various religious and cultural contexts, making 13 an unsettling excess.

The modern association of Friday the 13th with bad luck gained significant traction following the publication of Thomas W. Lawson's 1907 novel "Friday, the Thirteenth" and was further popularized by the horror film franchise beginning in 1980. The films centered around the fictional character Jason Voorhees and used the date as a plot device for supernatural events.

Statistical analysis shows no significant increase in accidents, deaths, or other negative events occurring on Friday the 13th compared to other dates. However, the superstition persists in popular culture, affecting business decisions, travel plans, and personal behavior. Some buildings omit the 13th floor, and some airlines avoid having a 13th row. Despite its lack of factual basis, Friday the 13th remains one of the most recognized superstitious dates in contemporary Western society.