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What does Friday the 13th mean?
What exactly is Friday the 13th?
According to Western superstition, if the 13th day of the month falls on a Friday, it's considered a day of bad luck and misfortune. They believe that disasters are more likely to happen on this day. Everything will go wrong and they will encounter unpleasant situations if they don't avoid it.
According to Western belief, the unluckiest day of the year is Friday the 13th.
This day is dubbed Black Friday due to the combination of the unluckiest day of the week, Friday, and the 13th day of the month.
Why does this day exist?
There can be anywhere from 1 to 3 occurrences of Friday the 13th in a year. In 2020, there were two instances on April 13th and November 13th. In 2021, only August 13th was Black Friday. This year, 2022, there's just one occurrence on May 13th falling on a Friday.
The Origin of Friday the 13th
There are numerous explanations for the existence of Friday the 13th. According to Michael Bailey, a history professor at the University of Iowa, USA: 'The event of Jesus Christ's crucifixion took place on Friday the 13th. Since then, Christians have feared this day and consider it ominous.' This expert also noted that people in the Middle Ages refrained from holding weddings or embarking on journeys on this particular day.
The event believed to be the origin of Friday the 13th is the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
The number 13 has long been considered unlucky and cursed worldwide. Since the 18th century BC, ancient Babylonians excluded the number 13 from their Code of Hammurabi. Moreover, records of ancient rituals completely omit the number 13. For example, a year only consisted of 12 months, and there were 12 Greek gods, etc.
The Meaning of Friday the 13th
Known for its rather ominous significance. Hence, Friday the 13th raises many questions as to whether the rumors about this day are true or not. Because they are merely superstitious beliefs, and many believe that all misfortunes on this day are just coincidences. There is no scientific basis to prove that rare accidents occur on Friday the 13th.
The Real Haunting of Friday the 13th
But there is a fact that the world has witnessed many real haunting events on Friday the 13th over the years. According to a study on accident rates by Dutch scientists, the number of accidents on Friday the 13th is more than 30% higher than on other Fridays.
In the renowned financial district of the United States, Wall Street has harbored fears of Friday the 13th for decades due to significant drops in the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
Heart-wrenching accidents like shipwrecks have also occurred.
Such as the tragic sinking of the Costa Concordia in Italy in 2012. Resulting in 32 fatalities and 4,500 people being evacuated.
Aviation disasters are no exception, as a plane carrying 45 passengers from a rugby team crashed into the Andes mountain range on Friday the 13th of October, 1972.
Prominent Events on Friday the 13th
Certainly, many cannot forget the devastating tropical cyclone that claimed over 300,000 lives in Bangladesh on this particular day. Following that was the bombing of Buckingham Palace by German Nazis, causing the most severe consequences. It was Friday the 13th when Queen Elizabeth and King George VI were enjoying tea at the palace. Collectively, these major accidents further reinforce people's belief in the unluckiness of Black Friday.
Due to the coincidences that make it impossible for people not to believe in this ominous day
Many scientists and spiritual researchers have tried to explain that Friday the 13th is just an ordinary day. However, prominent events from ancient times to the present still coincidentally occur. Rendering all arguments unconvincing and worse, rejected. In the 1880s, a club called Club 13 was formed by a group of individuals in the United States. Led by a former American soldier, Major William Fowler.
Things to Avoid and Superstitions on Friday the 13th
Why does the combination of Friday and the 13th symbolize bad luck? While the question 'What is Friday the 13th?' remains ambiguous in its meaning. According to the 'where there's smoke, there's fire' belief of our elders, it's best to avoid doing the following on Friday the 13th.
Passing by a funeral procession
In Eastern cultures, funerals are traditionally considered unlucky. Passing by a funeral procession on a Black Friday is akin to doubling your misfortune. Misfortune may linger, making both work and life less smooth than expected.
Haircut
Limit haircutting on days considered unlucky
Westerners believe that cutting hair or shaving on Friday the 13th is inadvisable. Meanwhile, Easterners advise against haircutting on the 1st day of the lunar month. Both actions are believed to bring disaster to oneself or indirectly affect friends and family.
Trimming fingernails and toenails
Similarly to haircutting, cutting or trimming fingernails and toenails on this day is also advised against. If you don't want misfortune to follow you for a long time. Nothing seems to work, and sometimes unexpected disasters occur.
Encountering a black cat
Encountering a black cat on Friday the 13th is like doubling your bad luck
The image of a black cat is closely associated with the evil witch character in Western tales. Therefore, they are seen as scary, wicked, dark, and potentially harmful. Hence, the belief still persists that encountering a black cat crossing your path is a bad omen. Afterwards, illnesses and misfortunes will come your way.
Major Business Ventures
Before embarking on an important journey or starting a major business venture, many people consult the calendar and choose an auspicious day for departure. And of course, steer clear of Friday the 13th. This day is not suitable for significant undertakings, especially those involving financial matters.
Sailing
Even the ship named HMS Friday couldn't escape disaster
Related to bodies of water always harbors dangers. If you go boating on an unlucky day, you won't feel at ease to have a pleasant journey. And unfortunate events may occur. In fact, there have been accidents that have heightened the fear of boating on Friday the 13th multiple times. The ship named HMS Friday was created by the British government with the hope of alleviating people's fear of this day. However, unfortunately, the ship had an accident and never returned.
Going out
To minimize risks thoroughly, people advise against going out on this unlucky day. Previously, activities such as shopping, traveling, and parties were restricted. However, nowadays, Friday the 13th is known as a huge shopping festival in many countries around the world.
The increasingly popular mega shopping event called Black Friday
Posted by: Blossom Care
Keywords: What is Friday the 13th? Why is it considered unlucky to go out on this day
