The belief that Friday the 13th is an unlucky day has emerged over the last century, but its origins may not be as ancient as many assume.
Experts struggle to determine why Friday the 13th gained a reputation for bad luck. Moira Marsh, a folklore librarian at Indiana University Bloomington, explains that the notion likely came from England and only became labeled as unlucky in the 20th century, with the earliest documented reference dating back to 1913.
“It’s interesting because references began to emerge suggesting that Friday the 13th was unlucky, but without any clear explanations,” said Stephen Winick from the Library of Congress. This lack of clarity has led to numerous theories surrounding the superstition.
Some common beliefs include the idea that Judas was the thirteenth guest at the Last Supper or that the Knights Templar faced condemnation on a Friday the 13th. However, Winick notes that there is no strong evidence to confirm these claims.
The earliest references mentioning the date’s misfortune seem to stem from French literature and drama. In an 1834 play, a character attributes his misfortunes to being born on Friday, December 13th, while a piece in the Revue de Paris recounts a tragic incident involving a father and daughter on that date.
While the combination of Friday and the number 13 is relatively recent, the belief that Fridays themselves might be unlucky is not. “Since the Middle Ages, Fridays were viewed as unlucky days, particularly in the English-speaking world, due to the association with the crucifixion and the tradition of penance,” Marsh explained.
The notion that the number 13 carries bad luck surfaced around the 17th century, shifting perceptions of what was once considered a good number – traditionally linked to the 13 individuals at the Last Supper.
Another theory regarding the number 13’s unluckiness is its mathematical insignificance compared to the number 12, which features prominently in various systems, such as months in a year or zodiac signs.
Thanks to popular culture, including the film franchise “Friday the 13th,” the superstition has spread globally. Meanwhile, the unlucky day varies in different cultures; for instance, in Italy, it is often Friday the 17th, and in Spanish-speaking countries, it is Tuesday the 13th, which some attribute to associations with the war deity Mars.
Marsh mentions a 1960s Greek anecdote where a bride must be kept away from her husband on a Monday night, as conceiving a child during that time might lead to misfortune on Tuesday.
Winick notes that many cultures trace the significance of their unlucky days back to ancient traditions. “We find ourselves searching for explanations in the chaotic nature of life, trying to make sense of events beyond our control,” he said.