The superstition that Friday the 13th is an unlucky day persists even among those who consider themselves rational. Activities such as moving to a new home, starting a new job, or getting married on this date are often avoided, reflecting a deep-seated belief in its ill-fated nature. While many assume this superstition has ancient roots, historical evidence suggests it is a relatively modern construct, formed from the convergence of two much older beliefs.
The association of Friday with bad luck can be traced back to at least the 14th century. References appear in print, including Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, published around 1390. The origin of this belief is widely attributed to the Christian narrative of the Crucifixion of Jesus, which is believed to have occurred on a Friday. From the early days of the Christian Church, Good Friday has been observed with fasting and prayer to commemorate Jesus’s death, preceding the celebration of his resurrection on Easter Sunday. Consequently, Friday became regarded as an unfavorable day, with the belief that undertaking any significant task, household chore, or journey on a Friday would invite misfortune.
The superstition surrounding the 13th day of the month has a less direct, but nonetheless influential, origin. The distrust of the number thirteen appears to stem from the biblical story of the Last Supper. Jesus and his twelve disciples comprised a group of thirteen, and Judas Iscariot’s subsequent betrayal of Jesus cast a negative light on the number. A related, though distinct, superstition holds that it is unlucky for thirteen people to dine together. Although this specific belief has diminished in prevalence, the number thirteen has retained its negative associations, contributing to the modern-day fear of Friday the 13th.
The combination of these two long-standing superstitions – Friday as an unlucky day and thirteen as an unlucky number – appears to have coalesced into the specific Friday the 13th superstition relatively recently. While the precise origins of the combined superstition are difficult to pinpoint, it gained traction during the 20th century, solidifying its place in popular culture.
Today, Friday the 13th remains a prominent superstition, influencing behavior and sparking conversation. Despite the lack of concrete evidence to support its claims, the fear and avoidance associated with Friday the 13th highlight the enduring power of superstition in modern society. The confluence of historical religious beliefs and folklore concerning numerical symbolism continue to shape our perception of this particular date.