The Strange History Behind Friday the 13th

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Friday the 13th is a date that carries an uneasy reputation, inspiring everything from skipped travel plans to jokes about bad luck. The superstition has deep roots in Western folklore, with the number 13 long viewed as irregular or disruptive compared to the perceived completeness of 12, and Fridays associated with punishments or ill fate in some Christian and European traditions. The fear of Friday the 13th even has a specific term - paraskevidekatriaphobia.

Why it matters

The Friday the 13th superstition remains one of the most recognizable 'unlucky' dates of the year, with the 1980 horror film franchise further amplifying the date's reputation for suspense and thrills. However, data shows there is no consistent evidence the day is more dangerous than any other, suggesting the fear may be more psychological than factual.

The details

Much of the anxiety around Friday the 13th centers on the number 13, which historians say has long been viewed as irregular or disruptive compared to the perceived completeness of 12 - the number of months in a year, hours on a clock face, and years spent in grade school. Fridays themselves also carried negative associations in some Christian and European traditions, with Jesus' crucifixion believed to have taken place on a Friday.

• Jesus' crucifixion is believed to have taken place on a Friday.