Top 13 Superstitions for Friday the 13th

Superstitions for Friday the 13^th

A superstition is defined as a widely held but unjustified belief in supernatural causation leading to certain consequences of an action or event, or a practice based on such a belief. By its very definition, no superstition has any basis in fact, but belief in them may affect you deeply enough to affect your choices in life.

Superstitions can be found in every culture throughout history and many have roots deep in tradition and history.

In honor of Friday the 13^th, here are our favorite 13 superstitions:

OMTimes Top 13 Superstitions
Superstition #13 – The Number 13 (of course)

It is just a number, yet many people dread it. Many big buildings do not have the number 13 on the elevator button. Instead they name it as 12A or something of that sort but not 13. Many architects refused to design stairs that ended with 13 steps.

People also have a religious belief attached to this superstition. It is said that Judas, the bad disciple was the 13th man to sit down for the Last Supper.

The fear of the number 13 is so real to many people, that an actual phobia has been created to describe it: Triskaidekaphobia.

Superstition #12 – Walking Under a Ladder

There have been many suggestions for the origin of this superstition. One explanation points to the triangular shape a ladder will take when erected or leaned up against a wall. The triangle is considered the symbol representing the Holy Trinity and to walk through a triangle violates the Trinity and desecrates God; leaving you prey to Satan.

Another is that in medieval times, a leaning ladder was thought to resemble the gallows and so by walking underneath a ladder, you are playing out your own execution.

Or, the answer might be simply have come from a desire to avoid having something dropped on your head.

Superstition #11 – Opening an Umbrella Indoors

Many believe that opening an umbrella indoors will result in bad luck “raining” down on you. One source for the superstition comes from ancient Egypt, where the umbrella was primarily used for protection from the hot rays of the sun. Legend has it that ancient Egyptians believed that opening an umbrella indoors — away from the sun — was a disrespectful act that would anger the sun god, who would then take out his anger on everyone in the house.