Today is Friday the 13th. On days like this, superstitious people like to stay in bed in anticipation of imminent disaster, and many people feel uneasy about the day’s important exam or meeting. But why is Friday the 13th considered the day when a particularly large number of accidents can happen?
There is no clear explanation. It certainly has nothing to do with the so-called “Black Friday” of 1929, the biggest stock market crash in the USA, as is often claimed. This was neither on a 13th nor on a Friday – because in the USA the crash happened on Thursday, but in Europe this was only noticed on Friday (two years before that there was a major price slump on the Berlin Stock Exchange, on a Friday the 13th).
Combination of unlucky weekday and unlucky number
It is now considered probable that it was not a single event, but the combination of the day of the week and the number that made this date special. For Christians, for example, Friday is a day of mourning because Jesus was crucified on Good Friday. It was also a Friday that Adam and Eve were expelled from the Garden of Eden.
The number 13 has always been considered an unlucky number. In German vernacular, she was long referred to as the “dozen of the devil”. It’s her only fault that she comes after the “twelve”.
In fairy tales, the number 13 means evil
The 12 is considered sacred in many cultures and what comes after it must therefore be bad. The year has twelve months, day and night have twelve hours each, and so on. The number 13 is often given a negative meaning in fairy tales, for example in «Sleeping Beauty», where it is the 13th fairy who brings misfortune to the royal family with her magic spell.
Or at the last supper that Jesus held with his – of course – twelve disciples. Judas, the thirteenth guest, betrayed Jesus that same evening. Even today, many hotels refrain from having a 13th floor.
Statistically, there are no more accidents on Friday the 13th
So does it make sense to be extra careful on Friday the 13th? Statistically, no more accidents happen on this day than on any other day (the date occurs at least once and at most three times per year). However, there have been events on this day in history that have contributed to the cult of Friday the 13th. The most spectacular examples can be found in the picture gallery.
13 facts about Friday the 13th
Whether cats, shards, mirrors, numbers or beetles – bad luck and luck are hidden everywhere! With BLICK you gain perspective.
Whether cats, shards, mirrors, numbers or beetles – bad luck and luck are hidden everywhere! With BLICK you gain perspective.
13 fun facts about Friday the 13th
Some see Friday the 13th as a bad omen. Others think that’s rubbish. But maybe everyone can still learn something: interesting facts about the supposed unlucky day.
Fun facts about the superstition surrounding Friday the 13th: In the past, a 14th guest was sometimes invited to the table to avoid the unlucky number 13. (icon picture)
KEYSTONE/GAETAN BALLY
Some see Friday the 13th as a bad omen. Others think that’s rubbish. But maybe everyone can still learn something: interesting facts about the supposed unlucky day.