BLOGGING THE VIEW: Fun facts about Friday 13th

With everyone going into a flat panic about the novel coronavirus (officially known as COVID-19) it’s time for a bit of light-hearted distraction from the apocalypse. So, let’s take a look at Friday 13th and why it’s really no cause for concern!

1. Where it all began

As with most superstitious origins, it’s not completely clear how the notion of Friday 13th being unlucky came about, but the most compelling story is that it originates with the Last Supper. Jesus and his 12 disciples (a total of 13) dined the night before he was crucified on Good Friday, and the number 13 has been associated with his betrayer, Judas Iscariot.

2. The book that sealed the deal

Whether the origin story is correct or not, it was Thomas Lawson’s 1907 novel Friday, the Thirteenth that really cemented the idea that this is an ominous day. The story follows a stockbroker who chooses Friday 13th to manipulate the stock market, bringing down Wall Street.

3. What’s in a name?

Despite the superstition being just that – a superstition – many people still fear this day so much that it even has a scientific name – friggatriskaidekaphobia or paraskevidekatriaphobia. Friggatriskaidekaphobia comes from Frigg, the Norse goddess of wisdom after whom Friday is named, and the Greek words triskaideka, meaning 13, and phobia, meaning fear. Paraskevidekatriaphobia also has Greek origins with paraskeví meaning Friday, and dekatria also meaning 13.

4. Check the calendar

Today marks the first of two Friday the 13ths we’ll experience this year, with the next taking place in November. Any calendar year will have at least one Friday 13th but a maximum of three. As a matter of interest, the last time we had just one Friday 13th was 2015 with the next due in 2021; while the last time we had three was in 2015 with the next taking place in 2026.

5. The impact of fear

Superstitious individuals who buy into the fear of Friday 13th have a real impact on the economy every year. Businesses – airlines in particularly – notice losses on the day, and many hotels, hospitals and apartment blocks worldwide avoid the number altogether, skipping straight from level 12 to level 14.

6. Spooky coincidence

Famed director or horror films, Alfred Hitchcock, was born on 13 August, 1899 – a Friday – and had he lived to 100 (he died in 1980), his birthday would’ve fallen on Friday, 13 August 1999. In addition to this uncanny coincidence, Hitchcock made his directorial debut in 1922 with the film Number 13 which, quite unluckily, never got off the ground because of financial difficulties.

7. A lucky day for earth

What could have been the makings of a Hollywood doomsday movie was swiftly overturned by the power of Friday 13th! The asteroid – 99942 Apophis – discovered in 2004 was believed to have a small chance of colliding with earth but further research has indicated the asteroid will safely pass us on Friday, 13 April 2029.

Avoid the unnecessary friggatriskaidekaphobia this year by embracing the joys of Friday 13th and realise that, most often in life, you make your own luck!