How many of you have joked about Friday the 13th being an unlucky day?

We have buildings that will skip the thirteenth floor numbering it as the fourteenth. Many airports skip the thirteenth gate. Airplanes do not have a thirteenth aisle. Most hospitals do not have a thirteenth floor, nor do most hotels. In Florence, Italy, the addresses on the houses between 12-14 are numbered 12, 12 ½, 14.

You may wonder why this day of all others was considered unlucky. Some believe it dates back to the middle ages. On Friday, October 13, 1306, a swift and brutal attack was issued to arrest the French Knights of Templar. King Philip IV with the approval from Pope Clement V had the knights’ property confiscated by royal representatives. This horrific event set off a chain reaction where other knights in other countries were then apprehended too. They were tortured, charged with serious heresies, tried and convicted. They were sentenced to everlasting imprisonment, but the Grand Master, Jacques de Molay and Geoffroi de Charney, the Preceptor of Normandy continued to protest their innocence. King Philip IV didn’t want to hear any more said, and ordered that the knights to be burned at the stake on an island in the Seine.

Another belief is a Norse myth about twelve gods that had a dinner party at Valhalla, (which is their heaven). An uninvited guest (making it 13 guest), Loki arrived with his mischief. He arranged for Hoder, the god of darkness to shoot Balder, the god of joy with a mistletoe-tipped arrow causing Balder to die and earth to go dark.

Scandinavians believed that the number thirteen was unlucky because twelve of their beloved demigods were joined by an evil one (making 13). This one brought misfortune upon all mankind.

In Brazil and Colombia, Friday the 13th is considered a dangerous day because it is believed that witches are free to do mischief.

There is a Biblical reference for thirteen being unlucky. At the last supper, Judas was the 13th guest.

In British traditions, Friday was the day for public hangings, and supposedly there were 13 steps leading up to the awaiting noose.

In the Tarot cards the number 13 card is Death.

The fear of number thirteen is called Triskaideikaphobia.

And just to remind everyone, this Friday is the thirteenth.

Take Care!