Are You Superstitious?

The fear of Friday the 13th is called paraskevidekatriaphobia. Derived from Greek, it combines Paraskeví (Friday), dekatreís (thirteen), and phobia (fear). It is also known as friggatriskaidekaphobia, a term that references Frigg, the Norse goddess for whom Friday is named. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Key Details:

• Definition: The term was coined in 1911 and gained mainstream attention around 1953.
• Prevalence: It is considered a specific form of triskaidekaphobia (fear of the number 13).
• Impact: Some estimates suggest millions of Americans may experience anxiety on this day, with some altering their daily routines to avoid potential mishaps.
• Alternative Term: Friggatriskaidekaphobia. [2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]

[1] https://www.facebook.com/VanVreedes/videos/did-you-know-fear-of-friday-the-13th-is-called-paraskevidekatriaphobia-this-supe/3500078743622478/

[2] https://www.facebook.com/kellystclare/posts/friggatriskaidekaphobia-and-paraskevidekatriaphobia-are-both-names-for-those-fea/1082139607247957/

[3] https://www.sideshow.com/blog/fear-of-friday-the-13th-name

[4] https://www.euronews.com/culture/2025/06/13/why-do-we-fear-friday-13th

[5] https://www.facebook.com/theoldfarmersalmanac/posts/the-fear-of-friday-the-13th-is-officially-called-friggatriskaidekaphobia-frigga-/724044166428277/

[6] https://time.com/4979595/friday-the-13th-triskaidekaphobia/

[7] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friday_the_13th

[8] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triskaidekaphobia

[9] https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/weird/fear-of-friday-the-13th-to-celeb-deaths-13-facts-you-didnt-know/3128927/

People fear Friday the 13th due to a blend of Christian, Norse, and historical lore, linking the unlucky number 13 (Judas as the 13th guest at the Last Supper) with Friday (the day of Jesus' crucifixion), creating a "double whammy" of misfortune, further amplified by events like the Knights Templar arrests and modern horror films featuring Jason Voorhees. The fear, known as triskaidekaphobia, stems from these combined negative associations with the date.

Religious & Historical Roots

• The Last Supper: Judas, the apostle who betrayed Jesus, is often cited as the 13th person at the table, making 13 an unlucky number.
• Crucifixion: Jesus was crucified on a Friday, a day already associated with bad omens, sometimes called "hangman's day".
• Norse Mythology: In some tales, the trickster god Loki was the 13th guest at a banquet, bringing chaos and death.
• Knights Templar: A major historical event fueling the superstition was the mass arrest of Knights Templar on Friday, October 13, 1307, by King Philip IV of France.

Cultural Reinforcement

• The Number 12: Twelve is seen as a complete number (12 months, 12 zodiac signs), making 13 an unsettling, irregular number that disrupts order.
• The Da Vinci Code: Dan Brown's novel linked the superstition to the Templar arrests, popularizing the date's dark history.
• Friday the 13th Films: The popular horror franchise featuring Jason Voorhees cemented the date's terrifying reputation in pop culture.

The Fear

This combination of ancient myth, religious narratives, and cultural events has woven Friday the 13th into Western folklore as a day to expect bad luck, even though there's no proof that more misfortune actually occurs on this day.