Happy Friday the 13th, everyone! Or should I say… spooky Friday the 13th? (Cue ominous music.)
The date that sends chills down the spines of the superstitious, and maybe gives a few of us the perfect excuse to stay in bed all day, is finally here.
But what’s the deal with Friday the 13th, really?
I mean, shouldn’t we have bigger things to worry about, like Wi-Fi dropping during a Zoom call or running out of coffee on Monday morning?
Let’s dive into the weird world of Friday the 13th, where black cats get a bad rap, and walking under ladders could allegedly ruin your whole week.
Why Friday? Why 13?
First things first: why is Friday the 13th so unlucky? Turns out, we’ve got two heavy hitters in the world of bad vibes here. Fridays, for whatever reason, have long been considered unlucky. (Sorry, TGIF.) It might stem from Christian lore that Jesus was crucified on a Friday and it used to be the designated day to hang criminals in Britain.
Then there’s the number 13, which is like the bad boy of numbers, showing up uninvited to dinner parties and freaking everyone out.
Thirteen has been hated for centuries. In fact, some buildings don’t even have a 13th floor. You just go from 12 to 14, like no one will notice. Fun fact: in Italy, it’s actually 17 that’s unlucky. So if you're ever feeling cursed, just book a flight to Rome on Friday the 13th. You’ll be fine.
Blame the Knights Templar… or the Movies
One popular theory says that Friday the 13th’s reputation for bad luck comes from the demise of the Knights Templar.
On—you guessed it—Friday, October 13, 1307, King Philip IV of France decided to arrest all the Templars because he was in debt to them. (Nothing says “I'm broke” quite like imprisoning your creditors.) It didn’t end well for the Templars, and the date has been shady ever since.
Of course, we can’t forget the role Hollywood played in making Friday the 13th extra creepy. Jason Voorhees and his iconic hockey mask definitely didn’t help improve the day’s reputation. Who would’ve thought that one little slasher flick would spawn a franchise with 12 sequels? Jason, pal, just one more and you’ll hit 13!
Weirdly Fun Friday the 13th Facts (That Won’t Scare You Too Much)
1. Paraskevidekatriaphobia: That’s a real word for fear of Friday the 13th. It was created by Dr. Donald Dossey, who reportedly told his patients, "...when you learn to pronounce it, you're cured!"
2. 13 Isn’t Always Bad: In some cultures, the number 13 is actually lucky. In ancient Egypt, they believed life had 12 stages, and the 13th stage was a glorious afterlife. So, in a way, 13 is a VIP ticket to the next level! Egyptians clearly knew how to look on the bright side.
3. Friggatriskaidekaphobia: If you thought Paraskevidekatriaphobia was a mouthful, wait till you meet this one! It’s another term for fear of Friday the 13th, but this time it's inspired by Frigga, the Norse goddess for whom Friday is named. How does one cure this? Asking for a friend...
4. Planes and Elevators Aren’t Scared: Despite our fear, statistically speaking, air travel is just as safe on Friday the 13th as any other day. And guess what? Elevators don’t skip floor 13 either—sorry, hotels, your secret’s out. No sneaky skipping in the skies!
How to Survive Friday the 13th
- Avoid Mirrors and Ladders: Even if you aren’t superstitious, do you really want to take your chances today? You’ll avoid seven years of bad luck and won’t have to explain why you’re wearing a neck brace after walking under a ladder.
- Adopt a Black Cat: I have a big black cat named Mike, and I’d call myself pretty lucky to have him around. Sure, I tripped over him in the middle of the night and broke my toe, but that’s not his fault. It just means I should probably install a few more nightlights.
- Don’t Watch Horror Movies Alone: Unless you enjoy staying up until 3 a.m. questioning every noise your house makes, save the horror binge for tomorrow. Your future well-rested self will thank you.
- Have Fun With It: Instead of cowering in fear, why not make Friday the 13th your lucky day? Buy a lottery ticket, face your fears, or finally ask out that person you’ve been eyeing. If it goes wrong, you can always blame it on the date.
The Real Horror? It's Just Another Day
Friday the 13th might have a reputation for being unlucky, but if you really think about it, it’s all just smoke and mirrors. The biggest danger today? Giving in to the hype.
So, whether you’re staying indoors with a cup of tea and your favorite thriller (ahem, like one of mine) or heading out to tempt fate, remember: the true terror is the fact that Monday is just around the corner.
But hey, at least today’s a Friday! So, relax, maybe even lean into the chaos. And if Jason Voorhees shows up at your door? Just offer him a nice hot cup of coffee. It’s been a long day for all of us.
Stay spooky, stay lucky, and happy Friday the 13th!
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