Fear of Friday the 13th (a/k/a friggatriskaidekaphobia)

The fear of Friday the 13th has been called “friggatriskaidekaphobia.”  The superstition that Friday the 13^th is bad luck, is only in the U.S., but  it is estimated that over 21 million people are affected by the fear of this day.

There are several theories as to how Friday the 13^th became a day to where you had to be careful.  One of the more popular theories is that it came from as far back as Biblical times when the 13^th guest at the Last Supper, Judas, betrayed Jesus. Why Friday? Cain is said to have killed his brother Abel on a Friday, the Temple of Solomon was said to have been destroyed on a Friday and Jesus was said to be crucified on Friday.  Some biblical scholars have even said that Eve tempted Adam with the “forbidden fruit” on a Friday as well.

Another theory is that it originated in Norse mythology. The Norse gods had a party for 12, and Loki, the god of mischief showed up as the 13th, and uninvited guest.  Loki tricked someone into killing the god of light, joy and reconciliation (Balder) which sent the gods into a dark period of mourning.

Other theories include the fact that there are 12 months in the year, 12 hours on a clock and 12 zodiac signs, so 13 was considered to be irregular and therefore unlucky. 13 also happens to be the number of witches needed to form a coven.

Over the years many things have happened on Friday the 13^th or had the number 13 associated with it. Bad luck or just mere coincidences? You be the judge.

• In 1307 the Knights Templar were arrested, imprisoned and many were killed by King Philip IV of France which eventually led to the demise of the order that had existed for nearly two centuries. This theory was popularised in the Da Vinci Code, but with no documented history.
• 1521 is known as the fall of the Aztec Empire when Cortes captured the Aztec capitol of Tenochtitlan.
• There is an urban legend that the British Navy built a ship that they named Friday the 13^th. According to the legend the ship set sail on its maiden voyage, but was never heard from again. The Royal Navy Museum has stated that this is a hoax, but many people still believe it.
• Germany bombed Buckingham Palace on September 13th, 1940. Both King George VI and Queen Elizabeth were almost killed.
• A Swedish military plane disappeared over the Baltic Sea on June 13, 1952. In the 90’s Soviets admitted to shooting down the DC-3 plane.
• The famous spacecraft, Apollo 13 launched on April 11, 1970. If you add up all the digits of the date, 4-11-70 (4+1+1+7+0) it equals 13. The spacecraft actually exploded on April 13th, although it wasn’t a Friday.
• On November 13, 1970, a terrible storm killed around 300,000 people in Bangladesh and created floods that are thought to have killed as many as one million more in the Ganges Delta.
• October 13, 1972 a plane crashed leaving many dead, and other 16 passengers stranded in the Andes Mountains for over 72 days. Survivors had to resort to cannibalism to prevent dying from starvation.  The book and movie “Alive” were later released based on this true story.
• October 13, 1989 the stock market dropped 190 points which back then was considered a “mini-crash” and was the 2nd largest drop in history. Now that day doesn’t even make the list of the top 10 largest drops in history.
• August 13th, 2004 the Category 4 Hurricane Charley (winds reached up to 150 mph,)  hit south west Florida. It was the strongest hurricane to hit the state since Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and caused over 8 billion dollars in damage to the region.
• The Costa Concordia cruise ship sank off of the western coast of Italy on January 13, 2012, killing 30 people.
• More bad luck in the future?  On April 13th, 2029 an asteroid named “99942 Apophis” is predicted to come dangerously close to Earth.

Famous People Born on Friday the 13^th

• Train and bank robber Butch Cassidy was born on Friday, April 13, 1866.
• Dictator Fidel Castro was born on Friday, August 13, 1926.
• Actress Julia Louis Dreyfus was born on Friday, January 13, 1961.
• Actresses and fashion moguls Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen were born on Friday, June 13, 1986.

Other Interesting Friday the 13^th Facts

• Many tall buildings and hotels have no 13^th floor, as they intentionally skip it.
• Some hospitals do not have a room 13.
• Throughout the years some presidents have considered the number 13 to be lucky, while others have not. President Woodrow Wilson thought that it was his lucky number while President Franklin D. Roosevelt would not travel on that day and would never have a meal that had 13 guests attending.
• Many people refuse to fly or even go into work when there is a Friday the 13th.
• If you are very superstitious about the number 13 or Friday the 13^th, don’t carry any dollar bills with you. On the back of the bill on the eagle’s claw there are 13 arrows in its left talon (representing the 13 original states) and the olive branch has 13 leaves & 13 olives as well. The pyramid has 13 steps and above the eagle’s head there are 13 stars.

If Friday the 13^th really freaks you out, then you’re in luck because the next time that it will occur until November 13^th, 2015.  If you are staying home today, why not take the time to plan your next escorted tour of cruise vacation?

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