Happy Friday the 13th!

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Do you have paraskavedekatriaphobia? Or maybe just triskaidekaphobia? Either way, if you do, today probably isn't a good day for you. Some people I know think of Friday the 13th days as lucky days, though. They're odd.

But why is it normally considered a bad luck day? Apparently, one of the earliest written references was from 1869. That doesn't date back very far. However, Friday may have been seen as unlucky since the 14th century and The Canterbury Tales. The term "Black Friday" has been associated with stock market crashes and disasters since the 1800s. Apparently, on October 13th, 1307, the Knights Templar, a very wealthy and powerful group formed to protected pilgrims during the Crusades, were mass arrested. It was, naturally, a Friday the 13th.

Combined with fear of the number 13, one can see how it might be viewed as an unlucky day. It's interesting, then, that the popularity of the phrase, "Friday the 13th," may barely date back century.

Especially when you find out that some 17-21 million American's are severely enough affected by the date that they can't carry on normal business and it could cause a business loss of over $800 million. Ironically, some studies in accident rates have concluded that Friday the 13th is safer because people are more likely to stay home or be careful because of their fear. Other reports, though, have shown a significant increase in accidents.

Also interesting is the fact that a 13th occurs on a Friday more than any other day of the week - 14.33% of all thirteens of the month vs 14.25% for the least appearances on both Thursday and Saturday. Although a Friday the 13th occurs only once every 212.35 days, if it occurs in a February, such as today, it was also occur the following March. The longest you have to wait between Friday the 13ths is 14 months and the next time that will happen is after a Friday the 13th in July, 2012 -- the next one won't be until September, 2013 - thirteen! :o

Source: Wikipedia

Posted by Shane on February 13, 2009 12:18 PM | Permalink