It’s Friday the 13th! Another “unlucky” day is upon us, which means fears and anxiety are bubbling, but there’s no need to fret. A Friday (the 13th) is better than Monday, right?
Here’s some spooky Friday the 13th superstitions, origin stories and more to keep you on your toes today.
The exact origin of how Friday the 13th became associated with bad luck is a bit, well, murky, with several ancient beliefs. For one, it could be associated with an 1834 article published in a French magazine where the author spoke of a Sicilian count who killed his daughter on Friday the 13th, according to Britannica. In it, the author wrote, “It is always Fridays and the number 13 that bring bad luck!”
There are also biblical connections to the day. In the Bible, Judas, who is believed to have betrayed Jesus, was the 13th guest at the Last Supper. The next day, Good Friday, Jesus was crucified. Friday is also associated with bad luck, which was believed to be the day Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, the day Cain murdered Abel, the day the Temple of Solomon was destroyed and the day the Great Flood began.
Here’s some Friday the 13th superstitions, myths, facts, more
Don’t let this list get you spooked, as it’s all in good fun, but here are some superstitions and myths that have brewed over the years:
Walking under a ladder: This superstition comes from the belief that a ladder forms a triangle with the wall and that by stepping through it, evil may befall you.
Breaking a mirror: Breaking a mirror is said to bring seven years of bad luck.
Black cats: The black cat is associated with witches and bad omens, and it is considered bad luck if one crosses your path on Friday the 13th. Of course, we all know the furry feline is adorable no matter their color and cats were even considered sacred by Egyptians.
Spilling salt: The superstition is that if you spill salt, tossing it over your left shoulder with your right hand will counteract any evil spirits.
Bad luck comes in “3s”: Several theories behind the belief that when something bad happens, then another, you will always wait for the third “shoe to drop,” so to say.
Knock on wood, or touch wood: This is a popular one; you say you “never get sick” or you’re “car has never broken down” and boom: you immediately search for wood to give it a few taps. It is believed this originated with the Druids, who believed divinity involved nature and the trees were their gods, according to the Farmers’ Almanac.
Opening an umbrella indoors: There are several beliefs as to why this will bring bad luck, but some suggest opening one inside away from direct sunlight was offensive to the Sun god, whom many worshipped.
Crossing your fingers: Another popular one that stems from the belief bad luck is trapped at the point where the two fingers meet when we cross our fingers. By crossing them, we prevent bad luck from escaping.
