Happy Friday the 13th!! Is this a good luck day for you or is it filled with bad luck??
The fear of Friday the 13th (known as paraskekatriaphobia) isn’t exactly founded in scientific logic. Most people who believe the day is unlucky offer no explanation at all. As with most superstitions, people fear Friday the 13th for its own sake. They do not need any background information.
The fear of Friday the 13th stems from two separate fears; the fear of the number 13 and the fear of Fridays. Both fears have deep roots and theories range from Norse Gods to Christianity.
Sailors have a history of Friday the 13th superstitions. They often refused to ship out on a Friday. There is a legend that says the British Navy commissioned a ship in the 1800s called the H.M.S. Friday, in order to quell the superstition. The crew was selected on a Friday, and the ship set off on its maiden voyage on a Friday……and the ship disappeared forever. A more up to date story is the harrowing flight of Apollo 13.
Today, the history of Friday the 13th doesn’t have much to do with people’s fear today. Their fear has to do with their personal experience.
Are you immune to superstition? If given the choice, would you get married, start a new job or close on a house on Friday the 13th? Most Americans would not.
The year 2009 will have 3 Friday the 13ths; February, March and November. This will not happen again until 2015.
Stay safe today and whatever your beliefs about Friday the 13th, be sure to wish the best to Clay Aiken and his family.