The Friday the 13th superstitions that carry on to this day
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The scary period of the year becomes even more frightening due to the coincidence of October 13th - considered an unlucky day - falling on a Friday.
While the 13th day of certain months does fall on a Friday up to three times annually, we have already experienced this occurrence in January 2021. Nevertheless, the apprehension associated with Friday the 13th in October has been exacerbated in the past due to various factors, such as the classic horror franchise "Friday the 13th." Oddly enough, the superstitions linked to this eerie date have been in existence for centuries.
The roots of the superstition surrounding the number 13 can be attributed to a tale from Norse mythology. The story goes that twelve gods were gathered for a feast in Valhalla, but the troublemaker god, Loki, snuck in as a thirteenth guest. In an act of vengeance, he convinced the god of winter and darkness, Höðr, to use a mistletoe-tipped arrow to shoot the god of war, Balder, causing his demise.
It has been discovered that the combination of a specific day and date can be attributed to the actions of King Philip IV of France who detained numerous members of the Knights Templar on October 13, 1307, which happened to fall on a Friday.
The Catholic soldiers who fought in the crusades were caught because Pope Clement V put pressure on them. He accused them of making new members of the group spit on the cross, say they didn't believe in Christ, and participate in homosexual activities during their initiation ceremonies.
Philip used baseless claims as an excuse to oppress the wealthy class and avoid paying off his debts to them due to a past conflict with England. He accused the knights of being immoral, financially corrupt, and practicing false beliefs. These allegations were often obtained through torture, leading to the execution of many knights through burning at the stake in Paris.
Dr Phil Stevens, a former professor of anthropology from SUNY at Buffalo, suggests that the superstition surrounding Friday the 13th actually has religious roots. He points to the Last Supper, which took place on a Thursday evening and consisted of a gathering of 13 individuals, including Jesus Christ. As we all know, Christ was subsequently betrayed by Judas and ultimately crucified on Good Friday. Given these historical occurrences, Dr Stevens believes that the superstition surrounding Friday the 13th has come to embody a sense of bad luck.
According to Dr. Stevens, when Friday the 13th occurs, two negative aspects coincide. Firstly, there is the cultural belief that 13 is an unlucky number, and secondly, the historical event of crucifixion on a Friday adds to the superstition. This causes a double effect, making the day even more ominous.
Since ancient times, individuals have believed in various superstitions related to Friday the 13th. These include refraining from crossing the path of a black cat, avoiding stepping on cracks in the pavement, and tossing a little salt over one's shoulder to ward off bad luck.
During the Middle Ages, there were superstitions surrounding black cats that linked them to witchcraft. The Pope Gregory IX had issued a papal bull called "Vox in Rama" in 1233, stating that the black cats were the devil's vessel. Scholars suggest that black cats were usually employed to discredit people who posed a threat to the church's authority and credibility, usually labeling them as witches or heretics.
Although cracks on the pavement do not have a background of satanic terror, it is believed that stepping on them can anger the spirits of deceased individuals. According to ancient European and American traditions, fractures in any surface, be it the ground, walls, flooring, or sidewalks, represented a separation between the physical world and the spiritual world. Even the tiniest crack could supposedly cause bad luck for you or your relatives if you stepped on it.
According to the Mahayana Buddhist tradition, it is believed that throwing a small amount of salt behind your shoulder can protect you from any evil entities you may have caused offense to.
Jane Risen, a scientist who studies behavior, discovered that even people who don't believe in superstitions can be influenced by them. For example, avoiding black cats or stepping on sidewalk cracks may still have an impact on skeptics.
Risen shared with National Geographic that he may not believe in Friday the 13th, but the fact that it is well-known in culture makes him consider it as a potential reality. This strengthens his belief, even though he acknowledges that it is not actually true.
She said: "Our observation shows that individuals who bring bad luck onto themselves don't think that the negative consequences will happen after they tap on wood. Hence, the custom appears to assist in controlling their fear."
