Friday the 13th: Facts and beliefs

With March 13, 2020, falling on a Friday, here are some facts and beliefs associated with the date that is synonymous with bad luck and superstitions. The apprehension surrounding Friday the 13th may have biblical origins, as Christ's crucifixion is believed to have taken place on a Friday. Thirteen was also the number of guests present at the Last Supper, and the apostle Judas, who would later betray Jesus with the infamous Kiss of Judas, supposedly was the 13th person seated at the table, according to the New Testament.

The scientific term for the fear of Friday the 13th is “paraskavedekatriaphobia,” derived from the Greek words “paraskeví” meaning “Friday” and “dekatreís” meaning “thirteen.” Another term used to refer to the irrational fear of Friday the 13th is “friggatriskaidekaphobia” with “Frigga” referring to the Norse goddess and seer Frigg, after whom Friday is named in English.

It is estimated that every Friday the 13th costs the U.S. economy approximately $800-900 million in losses, according to the Stress Management Centre and Phobia Institute in Asheville, North Carolina, U.S., as many people refuse to do business or travel by air on the day. The Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapels in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., offers special zombie, vampire and horror-themed wedding ceremonies on Friday the 13th. For a month to have a Friday on the 13th day, it must begin on a Sunday.

Hotel and hospital buildings often skip the 13th floor, and airports sometimes don’t have a gate no. 13. Airlines such as KLM, Air France, Lufthansa, and Continental Airlines have no 13th row on some of their aircraft. Lufthansa has no 17th row on its planes flying to certain countries, such as Italy and Brazil, because the number is considered unlucky in these parts. In Italy, Friday the 17th and not Friday the 13th is believed to be the day that brings misfortune. In fact, 13 is thought to be a lucky number.

Every year, Finland has dedicated one Friday the 13th as a National Accident Day. Since its inception in 1995, the day is aimed at raising safety awareness. During World War II, five German bombs hit Buckingham Palace in the U.K. on Friday, Sept. 13, 1940, and destroyed the Palace Chapel, as part of Adolf Hitler’s strategic “Blitz” bombing campaign.

On Friday, Oct. 13, 1989, the U.S. stock exchange suffered a major crash. The day is sometimes referred to as “Black Friday.”