1 of 23
The origins of the superstition are unknown, but it's believed to date back to the Middle Ages.PhotoSpin
2 of 23
Friday is regarded as an unlucky day of the week, and 13 is regarded as an unlucky number. Put together, this makes a Friday that happens to fall on the 13th day of the month a supposedly unlucky day.DNews
3 of 23
In Norse mythology, the number 13 became an unlucky one because of a certain dinner at Valhalla. Loki was the 13th guest at the dinner and he arranged for Hoder (the blind god of darkness) to kill Balder (the god of joy). Because it was the 13th guest who brought death to the table, the number became a harbinger of doom. PhotoSpin
4 of 23
A phobia of Friday the 13th is called paraskevidekatriaphobia.PhotoSpin
5 of 23
21 million people in the United States fear Friday the 13th.DNews
6 of 23
One of the first Friday the 13th stories was written by Thomas Lewson in 1907. The story was about a Wall Street broker who chose the day to enact his rage and destroy the stock market.PhotoSpin
7 of 23
Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 crashed into the Andes on Friday, October 13th, 1972. 21 people died on impact. Another 8 died in an avalanche. 16 survived by resorting to cannibalism and were rescued 72 days later.PhotoSpin
8 of 23
A Civil War veteran named William Fowler founded the Thirteen Club in 1880 in order to debunk and de-stigmatize the Friday the 13th legend.PhotoSpin
9 of 23
Since people tend to avoid certain activities for fear of bad luck, it's impossible to statistically prove the day is actually unlucky.PhotoSpin
10 of 23
In fact, since so many people avoid travel, it may make the day safer since there are less people on the roads.PhotoSpin
11 of 23
The ill-fated Apollo 13 mission is often cited as "proof" of the number's unluckiness.photospin.com
12 of 23
80% of high rises lack a 13th floor.DNews
13 of 23
Hospitals are regularly designed with no rooms numbered 13.DNews
14 of 23
Hotels also avoid having a room #13.DNews
15 of 23
In Florence, Italy, the houses between 12 and 14 on a street are called "12 and a half."DNews
16 of 23
One superstition says you should never sit 13 people at a table or one will die within the year.PhotoSpin
17 of 23
Flights are usually pretty cheap on Friday the 13th. In the past, if you flew Finnair on Friday the 13th, you could take Flight 666 directly to HEL (Helsinki) for $148.PhotoSpin
18 of 23
The Bible makes several references to the #13.DNews
19 of 23
Eve tempted Adam with the apple on a Friday.PhotoSpin
20 of 23
Cain killed Abel on Friday the 13th.PhotoSpin
21 of 23
Judas was the 13th guest at The Last Supper.DNews
22 of 23
Jesus was crucified on a Friday.PhotoSpin
23 of 23
Like this gallery?
Share it: