Tirana
If you fear Friday the 13th, then you are among the group of people who stay indoors all day to avoid bad luck…
If a month begins on a Sunday, its 13th will be a Friday. Fortunately, today is the first and last for this year. If you're superstitious and worried about this union and the story behind it, you're not alone. For years, since before the birth of Christ, Friday the 13th has been considered one of the unluckiest days of the year. For many people, this is the biggest nightmare that can happen in a year's calendar.
Psychologists recognize this phenomenon and have defined this sensation with a single word – friggatriskaidekaphobia (Friday the 13th phobia), or otherwise the fear of Friday the 13th.
What is the symbolism of Friday the 13th?
One option to avoid any surprises is to stay in bed all day Friday, according to psychologists, or do what many other people do – ignore the superstition and do the same things as usual.
Coincidences with the number 13
'Friggatriskaidekaphobia' is an irrational fear of Friday the 13th of the month. Last year's Friday was on November 13 (2020) and occurred exactly 39 (3 x 13) weeks before this year's single Friday, August 13, 2021.
Next year's only Friday is May 13, 2022, and will come exactly 39 (3 x 13) weeks after Friday the 13th of 2021.
But these few coincidences involving the number 13 are only the tip of the iceberg. We can quote many more. Are all these Friday the 13ths a super coincidence?
A mystery of numbers
The origin of Friday the 13th and its being considered an unlucky day is actually an ancient mystery.
The number 13 has been considered an unlucky number for many years, even before the birth of Christ. Unlike the number 12, which is historically known as the number of completeness (12 months of the year, 12 gods of Olympus, 12 hours of time, 12 tribes of Israel, 12 apostles of Jesus, 12 descendants of Muhammad...), the neighbor of his, the 13th, has always been seen as an exception.
But the 13th also has an unfortunate biblical reference. Judas, the apostle who betrayed Jesus Christ, is supposed to be the 13th guest at his dinner. Christ was crucified on Friday.
In the 14th century, Geoffrey Chaucer referred to Friday as an unlucky day: "An unlucky Friday."
Another fact that highlighted the Friday superstition was the publication of Thomas W. Lawson's novel, in 1907, on a Friday. In the novel, importance is given to superstition, but also to the panic that is created on Wall Street for Friday the 13th.
In numerology, too, 13 is considered an irregular number and is the number witches use for their gatherings.
In many western countries, buildings avoid the 13th floor. Likewise, many houses, but also hotels, often do not have the number 13. This is also the case of the Carlton in London, which does not have the thirteenth floor marked.
Information source @BalkanWeb: Read more at: www.botasot.al
