- Just so we're clear, we're talking about the day, not the movie.
Today is not a good day. Whether there’s a hockey mask-wearing machete-wielding maniac after you or you’re just having regular bad luck, Friday the 13th is generally considered one of the worst days on the calendar.
But why? Where did this tradition come from? And what else does it entail?
Here are 13 fun, weird, or just plain interesting facts and trivia about everyone’s favorite terrible day.
1. Friday the 13 May Originate from the Bible…
The origins of the fear of Friday the 13th may lie in the Bible and Christian tradition. It’s a double whammy of two coincidences.
On the Last Supper just before Judas’ betrayal, there were 13 people present. Jesus was crucified and died the next day, which fell on a Friday.
Friday is also supposed to be the day Adam and Eve ate the Forbidden Fruit, Cain murdered Abel, and Noah set sail in his ark. The Bible just doesn’t like Fridays.
2. …But It Might Also Be Way Older
Then again, the Vikings didn’t like the number 13 even before somebody came and told them about Christianity. They had their own religious reasons for it.
According to an old Norse story, 12 gods were feasting in Valhalla when Loki, the notorious trickster god, burst in through the doors. The uninvited guest fooled one of the gods to kill his brother Balder, the god of a lot of good stuff. Since Loki was the 13th guest, the number became an omen of bad luck.
Even the Code of Hammurabi from ancient Babylonia is missing its 13th clause. That, however, is widely believed to simply be one of the world’s first recorded clerical errors.
3. The Fear of Friday the 13th Is Called Paraskevirekatriaphobia
The fear of Friday the 13th is common that there’s an official psychiatric term for it. It’s called paraskevirekatriaphobia.
I may not fear Friday the 13th, but I will forever dread typing that word out ever again — not to mention trying to actually say it. I’m paraskevirekatriaphobiaphobic.
4. Finland Holds National Accident Day on Friday the 13th
With so many people concerned about bad stuff happening on Friday the 13th, some places have decided to put it to good use. In the northern European country of Finland, Friday the 13th marks National Accident Day.
On this day, Finnish authorities look to raise awareness about traffic and workplace accidents and promote various safety standards and procedures.
5. Friday the 13th Happens 1-3 Times a Year
The Finns have a neat idea, but it might be difficult to determine when to have their Accident Day. That’s because Friday the 13th can occur up to three times a year.
Imagine that, three times the bad luck. There’s even a formula to figure out how many Friday the 13ths you will have on any given year, but I was too dumb to get it.
6. There Are Actually Fewer Accidents on Friday the 13th
Despite its bad reputation, Friday the 13th is actually one of the safest days of the year. According to a 2008 study by the Dutch Center for Insurance Statistics, fewer accidents, fires, and thefts happen on Friday the 13th than on other days.
Maybe it’s because people are too afraid to go drive or do anything else.
7. …Or Are There?
The Dutch claim that there are fewer accidents on Friday the 13th, but an American study from 2017 found that the day sees a 12% increase in fatal car accidents. So, which is it?
The answer is probably that Friday the 13th is just like any other day and the accident statistics will vary from country to country.
8. It’s a Bad Time to Be a Black Cat
One thing about Friday the 13th is certain, though. You don’t want to be a black cat on that day.
Dark-furred kitties already get a bad rap and a day dedicated to disaster doesn’t make things easier for them. In some places, people have tied bells around black cats’ necks to keep an eye on them — if they haven’t killed them outright.
9. Heavy Metal Was Born on Friday the 13th
Spooky and evil themes are common in heavy metal music, so it’s only fitting it was born on the most evil day of the year. On February 13, 1970, British metal legends Black Sabbath released their debut self-titled album. The band is often credited for popularizing — if not inventing — the heavy metal sound.
10. A Lot of People Believe Friday the 13th Is Bad Luck
It might be tempting to believe superstitions are a thing of the past, but that couldn’t be further away from the truth. In the U.S. alone, at least 10% of the population admits to being afraid of Friday the 13th. That translates to roughly 30 million people.
11. Friday the 13th Is Bad for Business
With so many people worried about accidents, they will probably want to avoid things like traveling, shopping, or anything that involves leaving the house. As a result, Friday the 13th is a terrible day for business owners. According to American estimates, U.S. companies and stores collectively lose about $900 million every Friday the 13th.
12. It’s Not Unlucky for Everyone
The fear of Friday the 13th is pretty common in the West, but not everywhere. The Italians, for example, are afraid of Friday the 17th, as the Roman numerals VIXI can be read as “I have lived” in Latin — a bad omen.
In Spain and Greece, on the other hand, the bad day is supposed to be Tuesday the 13th. Anybody else feeling like we’re just making this stuff up?
13. Friday the 13th Is Comforting to Some
Despite the fear Friday the 13th inspires in people, it’s a source of comfort for some. Worrying about the day is a tradition and, like any tradition, it provides something that people can share and feel closer to each other. There have been entire studies on this.
Another reason why Friday the 13th is comforting is that it gives you an easy excuse for things going wrong. It wasn’t your fault — it’s Friday the 13th so clearly everything was out of your control!