Yesterday was as humdrum and unremarkable a day as most others for me. But yesterday was Friday the 13th; which is supposed to be unlucky; terrible things are supposed to happen on that day. I got to wondering; why do some things acquire such sinister connotations; like the Bermuda Triangle for instance? And is there any substance in the claim that Friday the 13th is somehow evil and that horrible things happen on this day more than on other days?
It can happen once a year or up to thrice a year. This year Friday the 13th occurs twice: in April and in July. This date is supposed to be unlucky within western superstition; so much so that the fear of the number 13 even has its own name: "triskaidekaphobia".
Jesus Christ died on a Friday. There were 13 people present in the room on the day he was betrayed and crucified. The publication of the novel Friday, the Thirteenth by Thomas Lawson in the early 20th century may have made the superstition more widespread. There are at least 8 Friday the 13th horror movies made.
According to estimates, between 17 and 21 million people in the US believe in this superstition to some extent. Normal routines, travel, business deals may all be impacted thanks to the belief that something could go wrong on this day.
According to some estimates,there could be business losses up to $900 million on the day. Since people are reluctant to travel on Friday the 13th, this sector is also affected. According to one Jetcost.co.uk study, travel inquiries fall by about 27% on Fridays that are also the thirteenth (however there is no difference in Friday the thirteenth ticket sales, report airlines). Even stock markets fall; one such day in October 1989 recorded a 6.1% fall.
As per a 1993 British Medical Journal study, "the risk of hospital admission as a result of a transport accident may be increased by as much as 52 percent' on the 13th". However the actual numbers were too low to be statistically significant.
If losses are really reported on Fridays that fall on the 13th of the month, they must be unlucky, right? Well it would seem so, but only because people set so much store by the date. If they don’t buy or sell shares, if they don’t go to work, don’t travel or don’t make big purchases on a supposedly unlucky date, then that date does in fact become unlucky!
If there are losses and accidents on the day, this is not by virtue of any intrinsic menace of the day. It is because of the express folly of those who believe that a chance combination of days and numbers renders an entire 24 hours less auspicious and more sinister than any other 24 hours!
The menacing-looking Jason Voorhees from the Friday the 13th franchises is only as sinister as you want him to be. Sure, enjoy a spine-chilling horror film or two – whatever floats your boat; I'm not judging you. Be terrified of the guy in a frankly funny mask if you must. However, if you're scared of a date, and let it dictate your actions, travel plans and acquisitions, I'm judging you.
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