When is the next Friday 13th and why is it unlucky?
Uncover why Friday 13th is so feared, learn about its dark history and mark your calendar for upcoming dates.
Image: stock.adobe.com
Ever noticed people getting extra jumpy on Friday 13th? There’s a reason for that. Between medieval execution Fridays, Nordic gods crashing parties and a cult Hollywood franchise fanning the flames, the day’s got a real PR problem.
Is it all superstition, or is Friday 13th just a really misunderstood day?
Keep reading to learn about the origins of Friday 13th, flashback to events that reinforced its unlucky reputation and discover why it continues to hold us captive.
The origins of Friday 13th
Both Friday and the number 13 were already carrying some serious baggage before they became a superstition double act. Like other numerical superstitions, the number 13 has roots in Norse mythology. Legend goes that Loki (the shapeshifting Nordic god of mischief, trickery and deception) showed up as the 13th guest to a divine banquet in Valhalla. It was a party-crashing move that ended in disaster and death.
The Christian faith also takes a dim view of the number 13. Judas, one of the original Twelve Apostles, was the 13th guest at the Last Supper. This led to the number being tied to betrayal.
Fridays weren’t looking too lucky either. In medieval Europe, Fridays were execution days. Bonus points if the execution was scheduled for Good Friday, a nod to the crucifixion of Jesus. Traditional Catholics stoked Friday’s unlucky reputation with the believe that Friday was a day of penance.
Together, Friday and 13 were the unholy pairing no one wanted to see on the calendar. Over time, the combination made Friday the 13th a beacon for bad luck. It’s a superstition that’s somehow survived, adapted and gone global.
Historically dark events on Friday 13th
The origins of Friday 13th might be rooted in mythology and religious history, but real-life events have bolstered its reputation.
The Knights Templar massacre of 1307
In the early 1300s, King Philip IV of France was desperate to cancel his massive debt to the Knights Templar. Why pay it off when you could simply order their mass arrest? The massacre that saw hundreds of Knights tortured and executed on Friday 13th went down in history.
The Andes flight disaster in 1972
Disaster struck in 1972 when Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 crashed in the Andes mountains. The date? Friday, 13th October. There were 40 passengers and five crew onboard. 29 died and 16 survived, but only after enduring more than 70 days of sub-zero temperatures before being rescued.
The bombing of Buckingham Palace in 1940
Not even the British royal family can escape the wrath of Friday 13th. Buckingham Palace took a direct hit during the London Blitz of 1940, an event that saw King George VI and Queen Elizabeth narrowly escape injury.
Why do we still fear Friday 13th?
Fear of Friday 13th is a very real thing. In fact, there’s even an official term for the condition — 'paraskevidekatriaphobia'.
Millions of people worldwide avoid major decisions, travel and medical procedures on this day. There’s a measurable impact for businesses as economic activity tends to dip, especially for airlines and hotels.
Hollywood has had a hand in stoking the fire, with cult horror films like Friday the 13th helping to establish the day as a cultural marker of fear. Not to mention making Jason Voorhees’s hockey mask one of the most popular Halloween costumes of all time. The franchise now includes more than 10 films and they’re still coming. It’s the horror phenomenon that just won’t quit!
The psychology behind superstition
What keeps us clinging to the fears surrounding Friday 13th? Psychologists theorise that superstitions offer humans a way to feel control. So, when something goes wrong on Friday 13th, it’s tempting to chalk it up to bad luck rather than random misfortune.
When’s the next Friday 13th?
There’s always at least one Friday 13th a year, sometimes up to three. The next one falls on 13th December 2024. In 2025, the only Friday 13th is in June.
Whether you make a point to hunker down at home or laugh it off and deliberately walk under a ladder or pet a black cat, Friday 13th is a date that’s proven it has lasting power as a cultural superstition.
