Friday the 13th: Proceed accordingly.
A YouGov poll asked Americans if they're afraid of Friday the 13th and found that nearly half say they are a little spooked. Those who are 25 to 34 years old are the most anxious about it, with about a quarter of them saying they are very superstitious about the day. The over-55 crowd is the least superstitious group.
Here are some facts about the day...
**Origins in Mythology**: The fear of Friday the 13th, known as paraskevidekatriaphobia, combines two older superstitions: that Friday is an unlucky day and that 13 is an unlucky number. This fear can be traced back to Norse mythology, where 12 gods were having a dinner party at Valhalla, the mythological heaven, and an uninvited 13th guest, the trickster god Loki, showed up. Loki tricked Höðr, the blind god of darkness, into shooting his brother Baldr, the god of joy and gladness, with a mistletoe-tipped arrow, leading to Baldr's death and casting a shadow over the number 13.
**The superstition may also have Biblical origins.** Some theories suggest that Friday the 13th is considered unlucky because 13 is the number of individuals present at the Last Supper, with the 13th guest being Judas, the traitor. Additionally, Jesus was crucified on a Friday, which is why some believe these elements contribute to the day’s ominous reputation.
**An Asteroid named "99942 Apophis" is expected to come extraordinarily close to the Earth on a Friday the 13th.** Originally, there were fears it might collide with Earth on April 13, 2029. However, current scientific predictions have assured that it will safely pass by, but it's an intriguing coincidence that such a potentially catastrophic event was predicted to possibly occur on this famously unlucky day.
**A Historical Tragedy**: One of the most catastrophic events reinforcing the superstition occurred on Friday, October 13, 1307. On this day, King Philip IV of France ordered the arrest of the Knights Templar, and many of the knights were tortured and killed. This day is often cited as the origin of the superstition, associating Friday the 13th with betrayal, sudden downfall, and misfortune.
**Economic Impact**: Despite being a superstition, Friday the 13th has a tangible impact on the economy. Many people choose not to fly, purchase a home, or engage in financial transactions on this day out of fear, leading to an estimated loss of $800 million to $900 million in business in the U.S. alone on each occurrence of Friday the 13th. This phenomenon highlights the powerful influence of superstition on human behavior, even in modern times.
Weddings on Friday the 13th - There’s one in September (Today) and December 2024, so superstitious types may not want to say “I do” on those days, which are considered unlucky by some.
Source: Brides