TODAY is the first Friday the 13th of the year, and while many view it as just another date, there are still some who are particularly superstitious about this particular day. Whether you’re just celebrating the end of 2023’s second working week (or first for many lucky ones), or are watching out for black cats and ladders today, here are a few fun facts about Friday the 13th.
1. Frequency of Friday the 13th
There is generally at least one Friday the 13th per calendar year, but you can wait up to 14 months between these events, or as little as a single calendar month. In 2023, we will experience two Friday the 13ths, with the next one set for October – the month of Halloween to make it even spookier!
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2. Fear of Friday the 13th
There is actually a name for those who fear this date – it’s called friggatriskaidekaphobia or paraskevidekatriaphobia. Friggatriskaidekaphobia comes from ‘Frigga’, the Norse goddess of wisdom, after whom Friday is named. ‘Triskaideka’ is Greek for 13, and ‘phobia’ is more universally understood as meaning ‘fear’. Paraskevidekatriaphobia is another Greek word where ‘paraskeví’ translates to ‘Friday’, and ‘dekatria’ also means 13. There are also those who have a general fear for the number ‘13’ – hence them being left out of many elevators and hotel floors – which is known as triskaidekaphobia.
3. Friday the 13th fables
So where did it all begin? Superstitions generally have quite insubstantial origins, with many suppositions and surmising – and so it is with Friday the 13th. One belief is that it has biblical origins, where 13 sat down at the Last Supper, only for Jesus to be betrayed by one of the number. He was also crucified on Friday, connecting the number with that day of the week. There is also some belief that it dates back to 1307 in France when King Philip IV ordered the arrest of hundreds of Knights Templar, thereby diminishing the power of this order. The arrests were made on Friday the 13th.
4. Friday the 13th films
In 1980, we were introduced to the horrific hockey-mask wearing Jason Voorhees in the first Friday the 13th film. This franchise has continued to grow over the years, scaring generations of horror film lovers with its 12 slasher films. But this isn’t the only film connected to this superstitious date. Famed film director Alfred Hitchcock was born on Friday, 13 August 1899, making his directorial debut with the film Number 13. As luck would have it, financial difficulties prevented the film from being made. He’s also renowned for other horror movies, Psycho and The Birds. Had he lived to 100, he’d have celebrated his birthday on Friday the 13th!
Superstitious or not, remember to be fearless this Friday the 13th!
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