Many people fear Friday 13th even though they don’t know why. Actually, the origin of the belief that number 13 is unlucky was never determined. There are many historical facts that indicate that people have feared number 13 and Friday the 13th for long. Throughout the world, many skyscrapers don’t have the thirteenth floor, and hospitals don’t have a room number 13. The fear of number 13 is called Triskaidekaphobia, while the fear of Friday the 13th is called paraskavedekatriphobia or frigatriskaidekaphobia. For people who are afraid of Friday 13th we bring some explanations why this is so and why this number is actually considered unlucky? It is an interesting fact that the US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt never traveled on the 13th of the month. Have you ever wondered why there are 12 months in a year, 12 signs of the zodiac, 12 eggs in a dozen, 12 Gods of the Olympus? Or why did Three Holy Kings come 12 days after the Christmas and why Jesus had 12 apostles. Coincidence?
The story says that Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus, was the 13th man at the table where Jesus had the last supper with his followers.
See also: HOROSCOPE: WHY AND HOW MEN CHEAT
Loki.
Loki is the Norse god who killed another god and thus started an avalanche of events that led to Ragnarok (a kind of Nordic version of the doomsday). Much like in the story with Jesus, there is a legend that tells of 12 gods at the table, and the 13th, uninvited God, who self-initiatively showed up at the table, and according to the same legend it was Loki.
Cain and Abel.
Many Christians believe that the tragedy with these two brothers occurred precisely on that date- the13th. Christians also believe that Jesus was crucified on a Friday, but researchers don’t believe that it was Friday the 13th, but the belief in the evil of that number continues to remain.
Hanging.
Traditionally, gallows frame had 13 stairs and there was a legend that the rope for hanging was twisted 13 times, but the actual number is really eight.
Apollo 13.
Mission to the Moon ended almost in a tragedy, after the air tank exploded in the craft. For several days the lives of astronauts were at risk, but they eventually successfully returned to Earth.
The massacre of the Templar knights.
French King Philip and Pope Clement V ordered the arrest and execution of the Templar Knights at dawn on Friday, October 13, 1307. They were all accused of heresy, blasphemy and other offenses against God.
See also: THESE NUMBERS ARE CONSIDERED UNLUCKY IN SOME COUNTRIES
Mr. Krabs and Sponge Bob.
According to these two cartoon characters, there are only 13 derogatory words.
Witches and vampires.
It was once believed that witches (or vampires) gathered in groups of exactly 13 of them. Every group always had the same number of witches or vampires.
Devil’s luck.
There is an old belief that if you have 13 letters in the name and surname you will be followed by Devil’s luck. It sounds funny, but if for example we take the names of Charles Manson, Jack The Ripper and Theodore Bundy, then it will make you think at least for a moment.
Teenagers.
Children officially enter the teenage age at the age of 13, and we all know that for parents it represents a period of increased anxiety.
Perfection.
In numerology, number 12 is considered the representation of perfection and completeness. Adding a one to perfection is generally considered to be a very bad idea, viewed from the aspect of numerology.
Club 13.
In the late years of the 19th century there was a group called Club 13 (Thirteen Club). Their goal was to break the myth that if 13 people sit at the table, one of them will die in the coming year. Among the members of that club were five US Presidents - Benjamin Harrison, Grover Cleveland, William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt and Chester A. Arthur. Two were killed.
Bad day for Air Force.
On October 13, 1972 Uruguayan passenger plane crashed in the Andes, killing 29 passengers, and on the same day next to the runway the Soviet company Aeroflot plane crashed, with 174 people killed.
