Friday the 13th: Here's How the Superstition Started

Considered to be an unfortunate day previously in the West and because of this around the world, Friday the 13th, occurs when the thirteenth day of a month falls on a Friday. Interestingly, while it typically occurs once a year, it can appear thrice in the equal 12 months as well.

Notably, the superstition surrounding 'Friday the 13th' is supposed to have Biblical roots, originating with the Last Supper and crucifixion, and the superstition surrounding the day can also have arisen in the Middle ages.

The Last Supper used to be attended by means of Jesus Christ and his 12 disciples. A complete of 13 people attended the supper on Maundy Thursday, the night earlier than his crucifixion through Roman troopers on Good Friday.

Subsequently, the wide variety 13, therefore, came to be related with Christ’s betrayer Judas Iscariot. Thus, it is viewed as imperfect in contrast with 12, representing the annual number of months.

Interestingly, it is feasible that the ebook of Thomas W. Lawson's popular novel Friday, the Thirteenth in 1907, contributed to popularising the superstition. In the novel, an unscrupulous dealer takes gain of the superstition to create a Wall Street panic on a Friday the 13th.

The similarity in day and date has additionally been traced back to France's King Philip IV, who arrested hundreds of Knights Templar on Friday, October 13, in the year 1307.

The Catholic Church had alleged that new recruits were being compelled to spit on the cross, deny Christ and interact in same-sex acts throughout initiation ceremonies, which over the years have been published to be a ploy with the aid of Philip to persecute the rich and waive money owed he owed them following years of struggle with England. The knights had been charged with corruption, idol worship and many were later burnt at the stake in Paris.

Interestingly, in Spanish-speaking countries, Tuesday the 13th is viewed to be a day of bad luck.