Friday the 13th. A date etched in our collective consciousness as a harbinger of bad luck. A day when evil is said to lerk. Where did this superstition originate? Why do we fear this particular combination of day and date? Let’s go through some of the origin tales that surround Friday the 13th.
The Number 13 As An Ancient Omen
The superstition surrounding the number 13 has roots that trace back to ancient civilizations and societies. In many cultures, 12 was considered a number of completeness, often representing months in a year or gods in a pantheon. The number 13, in contrast, was seen as irregular, disrupting this harmony. The ancient Babylonians, for example, considered 12 to be a sacred number, and they had a 13th zodiac sign that was believed to bring misfortune.
Biblical Connection In The Last Supper
Christianity offers another connection to the fear of Friday the 13th. The Last Supper, where Jesus and his 12 disciples gathered to break bread, is a significant event in Christian tradition. It is believed that Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus, was the 13th to take his place at the table. This association with betrayal and crucifixion has added to the superstition surrounding the number 13.
Norse Mythology: The Dinner Party Disaster
One theory linking Friday and the number 13 dates back to Norse mythology. In the legend of Valhalla, there’s a fateful dinner party where 12 gods were invited, but Loki, the shape shifting trickster, crashed the event without invitation and chaos ensued. This resulted in a beloved god, Balder, meeting his tragic end. This story is said to have contributed to the superstition surrounding the number 13.
The Merging of Friday and 13
The fusion of Friday and the number 13 into one superstitious day is a relatively more recent development. On Friday, October 13, 1307, King Philip IV of France ordered the mass arrest of the Knights Templar. This event marked a turning point in the history of the Templars, a medieval Christian military order. The arrests, led to a significant downfall for the Knights Templar. Many of its members were subjected to torture and execution, and the order itself was eventually disbanded. The events of Friday the 13th, 1307, have since contributed to the superstition surrounding this particular date. In the Middle Ages, Friday was considered an unlucky day, often associated with bad events. Combining the unlucky day with the ominous number created a perfect storm of superstition.
Modern Pop Culture Influence
The fear of Friday the 13th gained significant traction in the 20th century, thanks in part to popular culture. Movies like the “Friday the 13th” franchise, featuring the infamous character Jason Voorhees, added to the mystique and dread surrounding this day.
In summary, the origins of Friday the 13th can be traced back to ancient superstitions, Norse mythology, Christian beliefs, and the amalgamation of an “unlucky day” with an “unlucky number”. While the fear associated with this date may seem irrational, it has been perpetuated through centuries and continues to captivate our imagination. Whether you believe in its ominous power or dismiss it as mere superstition, Friday the 13th remains a fascinating part of our cultural history.