Tasleem Gierdien13 September 2024 | 6:00

OH NO! It's Friday the 13th! Here's why it's considered a day of doom and gloom

There's even a term for it: paraskavedekatriaphobia. It means the fear of Friday the 13th, while ‘triskaidekaphobia’ is a phobia of the number 13.

OH NO! It's Friday the 13th! Here's why it's considered a day of doom and gloom

Picture: ©liudmilachernetska/123rf.com

Apart from being a horror movie franchise, Friday the 13th is said to conjure superstitions, legends, and even some bad luck.

At least once a year, we encounter this ominous date.

Friday the 13th is a rare occurrence, averaging about two per year. In 2024 we will see two of them: today and 13 December.

If you're worried about Friday the 13th, you're not alone. There's even a term for it, 'paraskavedekatriaphobia', which means the fear of Friday the 13th, while 'triskaidekaphobia' is a phobia of the number 13.

But why?

It's a Western thing.

The date coincides with misfortune, and several tragic events in recent history have been recorded on the 13th: 

  • Buckingham Palace was bombed during WWII 
  • The death of rapper Tupac Shakur
  • Covid-19 being declared a national emergency on Friday, March 13, 2020

Common beliefs associated with Friday the 13th...

  • People in America skip work and throw salt over their shoulders for good luck.
  • The date is often associated with tattoos, so many shops offer discounts on getting inked as a tradition.
  • Some people watch their favourite horror movies. 
  • Others create memes and laugh about it.