Friday the 13th – Stay Lucky with Stikii!

Today is the day to avoid walking under a ladder, breaking a mirror or allowing a black cat to cross your path – or so they say! To many a superstitious person, Friday the 13th is considered to be the unluckiest day of the calendar year.  In the western world, a large portion of the population suspects that bad things will happen whenever the 13th day of a month happens to fall on a Friday. This fear, known as paraskevidekatriaphobia, is not based particularly on sound and scientific logic. Perhaps understanding the superstitions roots and origins will help you to further understand why this day is feared by so many.

The fear of Friday the 13th is thought to have stemmed from two different fears – that of Fridays and that of the number 13 (we are sure you have all heard that one before). Each of these fears can trace their roots back to Christian theology. Thirteen is significant to Christians because it is the number of people who were present at the Last Supper. The apostle who deceived Jesus (Judas) was actually the 13th member to arrive.

Christians dread Fridays because Jesus was crucified on a Friday.  Some also believe that Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit on a Friday and that the Great Flood began on a Friday as well. In the past, many Christians would not even begin a new project or plan a trip on a Friday for fear of a dreadful outcome.

Thus, when one puts the number 13 together with a Friday, many believe that this day is EXTREMELY unlucky. This is one of the most relevant reasons why people fear the date today. There are many other circumstances involving the number and the weekday that would lead one to believe in the superstition as well.

Ultimately, much of this fear has to do with one’s personal experience. People learn at a young age that Friday the 13th is unlucky, and that sticks with them. Today is actually the first of three Friday the 13ths on the calendar in 2012: January, April and July all start on Sunday, which means the 13th day falls on a Friday.

 

The following are some interesting facts about the number 13, Friday, and Friday the 13:                             

  • According to Smithsonian Magazine “fear of the #13 costs American a billion dollars per year in absenteeism, train and plane cancellations, and reduced commerce on the 13th of the month.”
  • A witches coven consists of 13 members.
  • There are 13 steps leading to the gallows.
  • Both Friday and the number 13 were once closely associated with capital punishment. In British tradition, Friday was the conventional day for public hangings, and there were supposedly 13 steps leading up to the noose
  • On a Friday the 13th in 1306, King Philip of France arrested the revered Knights Templar and began torturing them, marking the occasion as a day of evil
  • NASA was almost tragically unlucky with its Apollo 13 mission. The capsule was launched at 13:13 on April 11, 1970. The explosion that ultimately destroyed the craft took place on April 13, which was a Monday.
  • President Franklin D. Roosevelt apparently suffered from triskaidekaphobia: According to The Huffington Post, he refused to travel on the 13th day of any month and would not host a dinner party with 13 guests.
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At Stikii, we believe that Friday the 13th can be a fun, happy and lucky day! We can almost assure that with a pair of Stikiis on your feet, you are bound to have a great day. But if that’s not enough for you, might we suggest crossing your fingers, carrying a rabbits foot and rubbing a lucky penny all day….just in case.  Here are some good luck superstitions to help get you through the day:

  • A cricket in the house brings good luck
  • A rabbit’s foot brings good luck
  • Clothes worn inside out bring good luck
  • Goldfish in the pond bring good luck
  • A horseshoe is considered good luck
  • Finding a penny facing heads up is lucky
  • Stepping on your shadow is good luck

 

Stikii wishes everyone a Happy and Healthy Friday the 13th, whatever you may believe!