Friday the 13th, from the United States: what it is and what people believe

Friday the 13th is a day in the Gregorian calendar believed to bring misfortune in Western culture. The fear of this date stems from various historical and mythological sources, including Norse myths and Christian traditions. It occurs when the thirteenth day of a month falls on a Friday.

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Occurs at least once a year when the 13th falls on a Friday
Fear of the date is called paraskavedekatriaphobia
In Italy, Friday the 17th is considered unlucky instead
Knights Templar arrested on Oct 13, 1307, cited as origin
Dutch studies show fewer accidents on this day

What it is

Friday the 13th is a date in the Gregorian calendar that many people consider unlucky. This belief is common in Western cultures, where the combination of the number thirteen and the day Friday is thought to invite bad fortune. The fear of this specific day is known as paraskavedekatriaphobia or friggatriskaidekaphobia. Some individuals avoid normal activities like traveling or doing business on these days, believing it will prevent disaster. The superstition is widespread enough to impact daily routines and economic activity in certain regions.

Where it comes from

The unlucky reputation of the number thirteen has several proposed origins. One theory points to a Norse myth where twelve gods are dining, and the uninvited trickster Loki arrives as the thirteenth guest, leading to the death of Balder. Another link connects the date to Christian history, specifically the Last Supper with thirteen attendees and Jesus's crucifixion on a Friday. The arrest of the Knights Templar by King Philip IV of France on October 13, 1307, is also cited, though historians note the connection between Friday and the number thirteen being unlucky together likely emerged later, around the 19th century.

Friday the 13th, drawn and placed

Emblem With the moon shape. Drawn from this page, not a photograph.

Living
Revived
Fading
Historical
Legendary
Performed

Standing: Living Practised today by communities who hold it as their own. This says whether people still do it, not whether it works.

A crescent moon and a star: the sky as a calendar and a sign, used for lunar rites, fasting months, omens and night-time practice.

Lineage: Western superstition
Timing: when the 13th day of a month falls on a Friday

Where it sits The tradition it belongs to, and when it is done.

What it is for

People who hold this superstition believe that avoiding actions on Friday the 13th can prevent harm or misfortune. The intent is protective, aiming to ward off the bad luck associated with the date. Some view the day as inherently dangerous, while others see it as a time when negative forces are stronger. In contrast, some tattoo enthusiasts get thirteen inked on their bodies to counteract the bad luck, claiming the mark confuses evil spirits.

Peoples and places

The superstition is primarily found in Western countries, particularly the United States, France, and Italy. In Italy, however, Friday the 17th is considered the unlucky day due to Roman numerals, while thirteen is often seen as lucky. In Hispanic and Greek cultures, Tuesday the 13th is the feared date, linked to the god Ares and historical events like the fall of Constantinople. These variations show how different cultures assign bad luck to different numbers and days.

At a glance: who, where and when

Peoples

Westerners Italians Greeks Hispanics

Belief worlds

Folk and village custom

Absence of row 17 in an Alitalia plane.. Photo: Mdiagom, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

What people believe

The belief rests on the idea that specific numerical and calendrical combinations carry inherent power. For those who fear the day, it is not just a coincidence but a time when vulnerability to harm increases. The fear is psychological, manifesting as anxiety or avoidance behavior. Scholars suggest this anxiety may be self-fulfilling, as nervousness leads to mistakes, but the cultural narrative persists regardless of statistical evidence.

When it is done

Friday the 13th occurs at least once every year and up to three times in a single year. It happens whenever a month begins on a Sunday. The frequency follows a 28-year cycle within the Gregorian calendar. The longest gap between two occurrences is 14 months, while the shortest is one month. On average, the date appears once every 212 days.

How scholars and sceptics see it

Researchers have studied the impact of this superstition on human behavior and safety. A study suggested a potential increase in transport accidents, but authors noted the data was too small for meaningful analysis. Subsequent studies, including data from Dutch insurers, found fewer accidents on Friday the 13th, possibly because people drive more carefully or stay home. Psychologists view the fear as a phobia that affects millions, causing significant stress and financial loss in sectors like travel and business.

Cautions and what is closed

The fear of Friday the 13th can lead to significant distress for those with triskaidekaphobia. Some people become paralyzed by anxiety, avoiding essential activities. The perceived risk can cause economic losses estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars annually in the United States. However, there is no evidence that the day itself causes physical harm; any increased danger is attributed to behavioral changes rather than supernatural forces.

Compare and confuse

Friday the 13th is similar to other unlucky dates like the Ides of March or Tuesday the 13th in Greek and Hispanic cultures. While Friday the 13th is feared in the West, Italians fear Friday the 17th. These comparisons highlight how cultural context shapes which days are considered ominous. The core similarity is the attribution of bad luck to specific numerical and temporal alignments.

Today

The superstition remains active in modern times, influencing business decisions and personal habits. Tattoo parlors often capitalize on the day, offering special deals and designs featuring the number thirteen. Some use tattoos as a talisman against bad luck. Despite airline representatives reporting no drop in travel, the cultural weight of the date persists, reinforced by media and popular novels that have historically promoted the idea.

Questions people ask about Friday the 13th

What is Friday the 13th?

It is a date in the Gregorian calendar where the 13th day of a month falls on a Friday. In Western superstition, this day is believed to bring bad luck and misfortune to those who encounter it.

Why is Friday the 13th considered unlucky?

Beliefs vary, linking it to Norse myths about Loki and Balder, or Christian stories of the Last Supper and crucifixion. The specific combination of Friday and thirteen became widely feared in the 19th century.

Is Friday the 13th unlucky everywhere?

No. In Italy, Friday the 17th is the unlucky day. In Greek and Hispanic cultures, Tuesday the 13th is feared. Different cultures assign bad luck to different numbers and days based on their own histories.

Does anything actually happen on Friday the 13th?

Statistically, accidents do not increase. Studies in places like the Netherlands show fewer accidents, likely because people are more cautious or stay home. The danger is perceived, not proven.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Friday the 13th", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryJaadu rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes. Names and customs differ from one community to the next, and some knowledge is closed to outsiders and left out here. This page describes belief and practice. It does not say that any of it works, it is not a how-to, and it is not medical advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-06.

Friday the 13th