Friday the 13th - (Don't) be afraid!

How are you today? Are you scared? Have you packed a rabbit's foot? Or are you completely relaxed? How are you on this Friday the 13th, which according to superstition is an unlucky day? But why is it like that? Is it like that everywhere? Probably the first people are already crying out that this is a lucky day after all. Let's take a closer look at this.

Triskaidekaphobia - The fear of the number 13

Where does this fear of the number 13 come from, which goes so far that some buildings do not have a 13th floor, there is no 13th gate at some airports, some ships do not have a 13th deck, ... - In fin de siècle Paris, some societies added a quatorzième,  a 14th man, to prevent 13 people sitting at a table. 

In the lunisolar calendar, some years have 13 months. Therefore, many peoples considered the number 13 to be a sacred number. This is also the case in Judaism. In addition, there are twelve tribes of Israel. Since the number 13 stands above them, it is regarded as a symbol of God. In Japan, the number 13 is also considered lucky. The Gregorian calendar and the Islamic lunar calendar, on the other hand, count 12 months without exception and reject the number 13 as a "pagan" number. Another possibility for why the number 13 is still considered an unlucky number in some cultures comes from Nordic Germanic mythology. When 12 gods sat together to mourn their dearest god Baldur, Loki entered the hall as the 13th god. He was supposed to be responsible for Baldur's death and he mocked the other 12 gods for their mourning. They then had Loki bound, which enraged him and brought about the end of the world. 

In Christianity, the number 13 may bring to mind the image of the Last Supper, where Jesus sits with 12 disciples and Judas, the traitor, is said to be the 13th. 

And why Friday?

According to the New Testament, Jesus was crucified on a Friday, which is why the Catholic Church still offers the Friday sacrifice. On the other hand, Good Friday is considered the highest holiday in the Protestant Church and Friday has long been considered a lucky day. 

In Judaism, Friday eve heralds Shabbat. In the Jewish lunar calendar, the 14th of the month always falls on a full moon. If this full moon is on a Shabbat, it is particularly auspicious. The evening before is therefore also a lucky day. 

How is it elsewhere?

In Hispanic and Greek cultures, Tuesday the 13th is considered an unlucky day, in Italy it is Friday the 17th. However, due to Americanisation, Friday the 13th has also become an unlucky day there. 

Don’t panic!

Whatever one believes in, luck or bad luck on such a day, there is no evidence-based study on whether this happens. For example, no more accidents happen on a Friday the 13th than on other days. We recommend: Don't be afraid! 

The alugha team wishes you a nice weekend!

 

#alugha

#wespeakearthish

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Sources:

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hasenpfote (12.05.2022, 12:01)

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freitag,_der_13. (12.05.2022, 11:59)

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triskaidekaphobie (12.05.2022, 11:59)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friday_the_13th (12.05.2022, 12:02)