Paraskevidekatriaphobia, also known as friggatriskaidekaphobia or simply "fear of Friday the 13th," is a specific phobia that affects a small percentage of the population. People with paraskevidekatriaphobia experience intense fear and anxiety on Friday the 13th, and may go to great lengths to avoid potential danger or misfortune on this day.
The origins of the fear of Friday the 13th are unclear, but it is thought to have originated in the Middle Ages. Some believe that it is related to the Last Supper, where 13 people were present, including Jesus and his 12 apostles. One of the apostles, Judas, betrayed Jesus, leading to the belief that the number 13 is unlucky.
Another theory is that the number 13 was originally seen as unlucky due to the association with the planet Venus, which was believed to be unlucky by the ancient Romans. Friday was also traditionally seen as an unlucky day because it was the day that Jesus was crucified.
Despite the lack of scientific evidence to support the belief that Friday the 13th is an unlucky day, the fear of this day remains widespread. People with paraskevidekatriaphobia may experience anxiety and avoidance behaviours on this day, and may even alter their daily routine to avoid potential danger.
Businesses and the number 13
There are many businesses that avoid using the number 13 due to the superstition surrounding it. Here are a few examples:
Some hotels and office buildings do not have a 13th floor, and will instead label it as the 14th floor and skip the 13th.
Some airlines do not have a row 13 on their planes, and will instead label it as row 14.
Some hospitals do not have a room number 13, and will instead label it as room 12a.
Some restaurants and cafes do not have a table 13, and will instead label it as table 12b.
Some sports teams do not have a player or team member with the number 13 on their jerseys.
It is important to note that not all businesses avoid using the number 13, and this practice is becoming less common in recent years. However, there are still many businesses that continue to avoid using the number due to the superstition surrounding it.
Why is 13 seen as bad-luck number?
The superstition surrounding the number 13 being unlucky is thought to have originated in the Middle Ages. One theory is that it is related to the Last Supper, where 13 people were present, including Jesus and his 12 apostles. One of the apostles, Judas, betrayed Jesus, leading to the belief that the number 13 is unlucky.
Another theory is that the number 13 was originally seen as unlucky due to the association with the planet Venus, which was believed to be unlucky by the ancient Romans. Friday was also traditionally seen as an unlucky day because it was the day that Jesus was crucified.
Despite the long-held belief that the number 13 is unlucky, there is no scientific evidence to support this superstition. However, it has persisted over time and is still widely believed by many people today.
What other numbers are considered unlucky?
In addition to the number 13, there are several other numbers that are considered unlucky by various cultures around the world. Here are a few examples:
The number 4 is considered unlucky in many East Asian countries, such as China and Japan, because the pronunciation of the word "four" sounds similar to the word for "death" in these languages.
The number 9 is considered unlucky in Japan because it is associated with agony and suffering. This is because the word for "pain" and "suffering" in Japanese is "ku," which is pronounced similarly to the number 9.
The number 17 is considered unlucky in Italy because it is believed to bring bad luck and death. This is because the Roman numeral for 17, XVII, can be rearranged to spell the word "vixi," which means "I am dead."
The number 666 is considered unlucky in many Western cultures because it is often associated with the devil and evil. In the Bible, 666 is referred to as the "number of the beast" and is believed to be a symbol of the devil.
Why are we so superstitious?
There are several theories as to why humans may be prone to superstitions. One theory is that superstitions are a result of our natural tendency to try to find patterns and explanations for events that we do not understand. When we encounter something that we cannot easily explain, we may look for patterns or connections in an effort to make sense of it. This can lead to the development of superstitions as we try to find a way to control or predict the outcome of events.
Another theory is that superstitions are a way for people to cope with anxiety or fear. When we are faced with uncertainty or a lack of control, we may turn to superstitions as a way to feel more secure. Believing in a superstition can give us a sense of comfort and a feeling that we have some control over the outcome of a situation.
Additionally, superstitions may be passed down through cultural or social groups, and people may adopt certain superstitions simply because they have been exposed to them.
It is important to note that superstitions are not based on scientific evidence and do not have any real impact on the outcome of events. While it is natural to have some superstitions, it is important to not let them control our actions or decisions.
What numbers are considered lucky?
There are several numbers that are considered lucky by various cultures around the world. Here are a few examples:
The number 7 is considered lucky in many Western cultures because it is believed to bring good fortune and blessings. This may be due to the fact that the number 7 is often associated with spirituality and the divine, as it is mentioned several times in the Bible.
The number 8 is considered lucky in many East Asian cultures because the pronunciation of the word "eight" sounds similar to the word for "prosper" or "wealth" in these languages. As a result, the number 8 is often considered a symbol of good fortune and prosperity.
The number 9 is considered lucky in many cultures because it is associated with the divine and spirituality. In ancient Egyptian mythology, the number 9 was associated with the god of the sky and the ennead, a group of nine gods.
The number 11 is considered lucky in many cultures because it is associated with positive energy and good fortune. In numerology, the number 11 is considered a "master number" and is believed to bring spiritual enlightenment and enlightenment.
The number 13 is considered lucky in some cultures because it is believed to bring good luck, prosperity, and abundance. This is in contrast to the belief in many Western cultures that the number 13 is unlucky.
What is your view on lucky numbers, unlucky numbers and Friday the 13th?