Friday the 13th: superstition explained

The belief

In Western countries Friday the 13th is thought to be an unlucky day. Some people avoid travelling, signing contracts or starting a job on it, and some hotels and airlines omit the number 13. The fear is called paraskevidekatriaphobia or friggatriskaidekaphobia.

Where it comes from

The two beliefs, that Friday is unlucky and that 13 is unlucky, are old, and joined only in modern times. Friday was the day of the Crucifixion in the Christian tradition, and thirteen guests were at the Last Supper. Historians do not agree on exactly when the two beliefs combined; one popular book of 1907 ("Friday, the Thirteenth") is often credited with spreading it.

What is really going on

Studies of insurance and accident data have found no clear rise in accidents on Friday the 13th. If the date makes you anxious, remember that it is one of the most thoroughly examined days.

See also

• The number 13 In some countries buildings have no 13th floor and hotels no room 13; the belief
• The number 4 in East Asia In Chinese, Japanese and Korean the word for four sounds like the word for death
• The number 8 in China Eight sounds like the word for prosperity in Chinese, so phone numbers, car plat
• The number 7 Seven is lucky in many Western cultures, perhaps from the seven days of Creation
• Friday the 17th in Italy In Italy and some Spanish-speaking countries the unlucky day is Tuesday the 13th
• Number 666 The number of the beast in the Book of Revelation, avoided by some as an address

Questions people ask

This page reports popular beliefs for interest. Superstitions do not predict or cause anything, and nothing here is advice.