Friday Facts or Fiction?

Paraskevidekatriaphobia or Fear of Friday 13th!

 What’s special about today?

This year there are two months with a Friday 13th: March and November. For some people this is an unlucky date and for others the date is irrelevant. So what is in a date?

Superstitions about dates, behaviour and numbers can be viewed as fascinating or ridiculous. They can link us to childhood and have cultural significance or be seen as quaint ideas based on an attempt to structure the world from a time where scientific and historical origins were not fully understood.  Often passed down to us by our parents we may associate situations such as not walking under a ladder or breaking a mirror as common sense to avoid accidents or react by “touching wood” or saying “Bless you” when someone sneezes as automatic ways to counteract the perception of bad luck. For some a lucky charm can be more than a piece of jewellery with sentimental value. Think of how the use of a mascot or ritual before a sporting event can be an important psychological support for success. Logically we could argue that numbers, objects, behaviours and dates have equal value but as individuals we all can recognise how emotional values and memories can affect performance and mind-set. The 5th November; 9/11, Christmas Day, Diwali, Easter, winter and summer solstices all hold significance for many people.

England, Ireland, Canada, Germany, and the U.S.A. all share the idea that Friday 13th is an unlucky date. If we look at mythology and religion perhaps we can understand why. When the Norse god, Loki, the Trickster, appeared as the 13th guest at a banquet dire consequences followed. Likewise in the Last Supper, Judas is seen as the 13th guest and went on to betray Jesus who was crucified on Good Friday. The associated Christian connotation of Friday with death could also explain what Hollywood and horror films have further underlined in the modern psyche: this is a date to be feared or wary of. Consequently if something unlucky does happen on this date it is more likely to be remembered and further fulfil our expectations for bad luck.

So what can we conclude? Do we continue with anxiety about this date or others that bother us or does understanding its potential origins help put it in perspective for us? Whichever way you choose to view today, may be it be a lucky one for you!