Why Is Friday The 13th Considered Unlucky? Friday The 13th History, Origin & Superstitions

As September rolls in, many people start preparing for the arrival of the spooky season—Halloween decorations, bonfires, and pumpkin-flavored treats are in full swing.

But beyond Halloween’s eerie appeal, there’s another day that makes people uneasy: Friday the 13th.

This year, the date will occur twice—once in September and again in December. After that, the next Friday the 13th won’t happen until June 2025.

Fear surrounding the day may have been heightened by the infamous “Friday the 13th” slasher films featuring Jason Voorhees, but the origins of the superstition go back much further. So, why is Friday the 13th thought to be unlucky?

Why is Friday the 13th Considered Unlucky?

FRIDAY THE 13TH

According to National Geographic Kids, the exact origins of this superstition are unclear, but it’s believed to have roots in Christianity.

In the Bible, Judas Iscariot—the disciple who betrayed Jesus—was the 13th guest at the Last Supper. In addition, many ill-fated events in the Bible occurred on Fridays.

As retired anthropology professor Dr. Phil Stevens explains, Friday the 13th combines two superstitions rooted in Christian tradition.

One is the number 13, associated with betrayal and misfortune due to its connection to the Last Supper. The other is Friday itself, a day tied to Jesus’ crucifixion.

The combination of these two elements—13 and Friday—creates a double dose of bad luck, according to Stevens.

Although the superstition is linked to Christian narratives, it wasn’t widely adopted until about 1,000 years after Jesus’ time when biblical stories gained more prominence.

Interestingly, Stevens notes that the taboo surrounding Friday the 13th seems to be fading as more people embrace the number 13. He believes the fear of the date may eventually disappear altogether.

Historical Origins of Friday the 13th

The fear of Friday the 13th is largely tied to religious and cultural beliefs. As mentioned, the number 13 has negative connotations in Christianity because of Judas and the Last Supper.

Similarly, in Norse mythology, Loki—known for bringing chaos—was the 13th god.

Another historical event that added to Friday the 13th’s unlucky reputation was the mass arrest of the Knights Templar on Friday, October 13, 1307. This event further embedded the date’s association with misfortune.

When is the Next Friday the 13th?

After September’s occurrence, the next Friday the 13th will be in December 2024. Following that, it won’t happen again until June 2025.

Friday the 13th and Tattoos: What’s the Connection?

Friday the 13th has also become a popular day for tattoos, with many shops offering significant discounts on the date.

Tattoo parlors often run special promotions, offering flash tattoos (pre-designed pieces) at flat rates that are much lower than usual. This tradition has turned Friday the 13th into a sort of “Black Friday” for tattoo enthusiasts.

The modern trend of Friday the 13th tattoo events is often credited to Oliver Peck, co-owner of Elm Street Tattoo in Dallas and former judge on “Ink Master.”

While he wasn’t the first to offer Friday the 13th tattoos, Peck popularized the event. His marathon tattoo sessions, where he would ink the number “13” on as many people as possible in 24 hours, became iconic.

In 2008, Peck even set a Guinness World Record by tattooing 415 people with the number 13 on a Friday the 13th.

Superstitions for Friday the 13th: What to Avoid and What to Embrace

Superstitions for Friday the 13th

Superstitions to Avoid:

1. Breaking a mirror: Said to bring seven years of bad luck.

2. Walking under a ladder: The ladder forms a triangle, a symbol of life, and disrupting it is believed to bring misfortune.

3. Spilling salt: Accidentally spilling salt has long been considered bad luck, but throwing a pinch over your left shoulder is said to reverse it.

4. Crossing paths with a black cat: Black cats, associated with witches, are considered unlucky, especially on Friday the 13th.

5. Stepping on cracks: The childhood rhyme “Step on a crack, break your mother’s back” stems from the belief that stepping on cracks invites bad luck.