Today is Friday the 13th — a date many consider the creepiest on the calendar. For some, it’s just another day. For others, it carries superstition, ominous symbolism and cultural fear. The dread associated with it even has a name: Paraskevidekatriaphobia, the fear of Friday the 13th. More broadly, fear of the number 13 itself is called Triskaidekaphobia.
So where did this unease begin?
One of the earliest references often cited is the Code of Hammurabi, an ancient Babylonian legal text from around 1754 BCE. It reportedly does not list a 13th law. Historians argue this was likely a clerical or translation omission rather than a deliberate act, yet the idea of a “missing” 13th law has fueled speculation that the number carried negative connotations even in ancient times. Do you think history shapes superstition — or do we sometimes read meaning into accidents?
Norse mythology adds another layer. In stories recorded in the Prose Edda, twelve gods were gathered at a banquet when Loki arrived uninvited as the 13th guest. Loki tricked the blind god Hodr into killing Baldr, the beloved god of light. Baldr’s death plunged the world into darkness and mourning, reinforcing the belief that the 13th guest brings misfortune. Would you think twice about a dinner table of thirteen?
Christian tradition also plays a role. During the Last Supper, Jesus dined with his twelve disciples before his crucifixion. Tradition holds that thirteen people were present, including Judas Iscariot, who later betrayed him. While scripture does not focus on the number itself, the association of betrayal and tragedy with a group of thirteen further deepened its ominous image in Western culture.
Another historical episode often linked to the superstition is the arrest of the Knights Templar on Friday, October 13, 1307, ordered by Philip IV of France. Although historians debate how strongly this event influenced the myth, the dramatic coincidence of the date has been woven into popular lore.
The superstition gained modern momentum in 1907 when stock promoter and writer Thomas W. Lawson published his novel Friday, the Thirteenth, a story about financial panic and market manipulation. Over time, Hollywood cemented the fear through the Friday the 13th franchise, turning the date into a symbol of horror and suspense worldwide.
Psychologists suggest the fear persists because of confirmation bias — we tend to remember unfortunate events that happen on Friday the 13th while ignoring the countless ordinary ones. If something minor goes wrong today, does it feel bigger simply because of the date?
In 2026, there are three Friday the 13ths — February 13, March 13 and November 13 — the maximum possible in a single year. That makes 2026 one of those rare years packed with what some might call “freaky Fridays.”
Despite its ominous reputation, Friday the 13th remains a fascinating mix of myth, religion, history and pop culture. So tell me — are you cautious today, or is it just another Friday for you?
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