Does the number 13 inspire a sense of dread? Do you find yourself missing work when the 13 th day of the month falls on a Friday? Seek professional help immediately.
Or, better yet, set your mind at ease by understanding the origins of Friday the 13 th, a date that was tied to ominous historical and mythological events and spawned a franchise of slasher movies. How Stuff Works explains the enduring legend of Friday the 13th. According to the article, the superstition has roots in fears of Fridays and the number 13 -- particularly in early Christian theology. One explanation: At the Last Supper, Judas, one of Jesus' 12 apostles, was the last to arrive, making him the 13th man at the party. Judas would go on to betray Jesus, who was crucified on a Friday. Earlier religious speculation posited that Friday was the day Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit and when the Great Flood began.
According to Wikipedia's Friday the 13th article, the date has been considered unlucky to undertake voyages or start business ventures since the 14 th century.
The fear is widespread enough to have its own name, paraskevidekatriaphobia -- fear of Friday the 13th. It's not an official psychologically recognized disorder, but it is sure to make anyone a true stud or studette at a spelling bee.
So, what's the verdict on Friday the 13th as an unlucky day? It's all in the eye of the beholder. In the meantime, watch the "Friday the 13th" movie series on DVD.
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