What is Friday the 13th? What not to do? What to avoid?

Similar to the ghost month in Vietnam, Western superstitions regard Friday the 13th in the year as an extremely unlucky and unfortunate day. Typically, on this day, people limit their outdoor activities and refrain from undertaking significant tasks. This article aims to help you grasp the truth about Friday the 13th and answer the question: What is Friday the 13th? Is it truly ominous?

Why is Friday the 13th considered an unlucky day? Explore the Western perspective on the origins of Friday the 13th

1. What is Friday the 13th?

According to Western superstition, Friday the 13th or Black Friday is a day with negative energy and bad luck. It occurs when the 13th day of the month falls on a Friday.

Typically, Friday the 13th appears in months where the 1st day falls on a Sunday. In leap years, if January 1st falls on a Sunday, that year will have 3 Friday the 13ths, falling in January, April, and July.

Many statistics have indicated that Friday the 13th often witnesses events related to accidents, disasters, and hospitals.

2. Why is Friday the 13th considered unlucky?

The ill-fated nature of Friday the thirteenth stems from an oral tradition dating back to the 18th century BC. According to it, 12 guests attended the Last Supper of Jesus. However, one of them, Judas, betrayed him. On the next day, Friday of the Holy Week, Jesus was crucified and died on the cross.

The Christian perspective also deems Friday the 13th as an ominous day, linking it to Eve offering Adam the fateful apple from the Tree of Knowledge, leading to their expulsion from the Garden of Eden, and the day Cain killed his brother Abel.

- Unfortunate events related to Friday the 13th around the world. On this day, many people lament the misfortune that befalls them, considering it as a day of bad luck.

The truth about Friday the 13th: Why is it considered an unlucky day?

With numerous fears sown throughout history, many Westerners believe that Friday the 13th represents ill omens and a sense of impending doom. In several cities, the number 13 is avoided when numbering buildings, hospitals, airports, and more.
 

3. What day is Friday the 13th in 2022?

Every year, there will be 1 to 3 days falling on Friday the 13th. Specifically:

- In 2022, there is only 1 Friday the 13th, falling in May.
- In 2023, there are 2 Friday the 13th, falling in January and October.
- In 2024, Friday the 13th falls in September and December, totaling 2 days.
- In 2025, Friday the 13th is a day in June.

4. Things to avoid on Friday the 13th

As it is a day associated with bad luck, on Friday the 13th, people often refrain from doing activities such as:

- Avoid breaking mirrors
- Avoid cutting hair or nails
- Keep black cats out of the house
- Refrain from crossing knives and forks
- Avoid dating
- Avoid yawning without covering the mouth
- Avoid registering or investing on Friday the 13th

What to do and what not to do on Friday the 13th?

5. Not every Friday the 13th is inauspicious.

While considered a day of darkness and misfortune in many Western countries, not all Fridays the 13th are bad. In some nations, it's seen as a lucky day. For instance, in Italy, Friday the 17th is considered an unlucky day, and in Spain, it's Tuesday the 13th that carries the ominous reputation.

All the information about Friday the 13th—its origin and significance—has been compiled and shared by Mytour for you. It's evident that the perception and reality of Friday the 13th are merely superstitions held by people in certain countries and do not apply universally. Therefore, readers should not be alarmed or worried on this day. Always take responsibility for your life and avoid attributing mistakes to misfortune or any other supernatural force.