Friday the 13th Trivia, Superstitions Explained
The second Friday the 13th of the year has arrived today sparking many superstitious people to express fear.
This year will see a total of three Friday the 13ths, each arriving 13 weeks after the other. In fact, any month that starts on a Sunday will have a Friday the 13th.
Friday the 13th remains the most prevalent superstition in the Western world. Some people have even been diagnosed with triskaidaphobia: an irrational fear of Friday the 13th. Many notable historical figures suffered from the phobia. Winston Churchill, J. Paul Getty, and President Franklin D. Roosevelt all experienced the irrational fear of 13.
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Additionally, Napoleon regarded Friday the 13th with fear, and evidence suggests that Christopher Columbus also suffered from triskaidekaphobia.
The most common superstition and fear surrounding the special event is that Friday the 13th brings on bad luck.
The reason behind the lore surrounding Friday the 13th could have to do with Scripture. In Christianity, Good Friday was a day filled with guilt, pain, and the death of Jesus.
Friday the 13th carries so much weight with those who are superstitious that businesses have reported a decrease in sales on the day, according to the National Geographic.
"It's been estimated that in the U.S. $800 or $900 million is lost in business on this day because people will not fly or do business they would normally do," said Donald Dossey, founder of the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in Asheville N.C.
Many users on Twitter are commenting on the special event, with #FridayThe13th becoming a trending topic on the site. Some regard the day with trepidation, but others consider the day the opposite: lucky.
"When I was a kid #Fridaythe13th was the scariest day of my life," wrote Henry.
"My #Fridaythe13th isn't bad," posted Dianne. "It's actually a happy day for me!"
Ricki wrote, "I have 2 '13' tattoos, one on my wrist and one on the front of my neck, this day is the luckiest day of the year for me #Fridaythe13th."
"Today is your lucky day. #Fridaythe13th," wrote Loree.
