Are you superstitious? If so, you may believe in the “unlucky” day which is Friday the 13th! Some years there’s just one Friday the 13th but in 2024 we will experience it twice! Want to learn more about the spooky day? Here are some fun facts.
There are two in 2024
Yep! It happens twice this year so if you’re not a fan of the superstition then well, sorry.
September 13th and December 13th are both Fridays in 2024!
13 is an “unlucky number”
Some people believe that the specific date partially derives from the long-lasting tale that 13 is an unlucky number.
You may have noticed while in various hotels and buildings that there is no 13th floor or sometimes even room 13.
The idea of 13 being unlucky goes all the way back to the late 1800s when Winston Churchill wouldn’t even travel on the 13th if it ever came up!
There’s a famous movie called “Friday the 13th”
The 1980 film is about a group of camp counsellors who are getting ready for the reopening of an infamous camp about 20 years after a brutal murder.
The funny part is that the title actually has nothing to do with the movie! The rumour is that the movie was proposed on Friday the 13th. Either way, a brutal murder seems pretty unlucky.
Norse mythology
The superstition could date all the way back to Norse mythology otherwise known as Scandinavian mythology.
It’s believed that 12 gods were at a banquet when the demi-god of mischief who was not invited, showed up. In showing up the total number of people was brought up to 13 and his chaos led to the death of one of the good gods, Balder.
Egyptians
Another theory about the day is that Egyptians thought the number 13 was actually lucky, not unlucky, because it was believed that the 13th stage of life was the afterlife and that it meant there was hope.
Sadly, that mindset shifted from hope to fear of death as time went on.
Friggatriskaidekaphobia
Yep, that’s a real word. It’s the worst used for those who have a fear of Friday the 13th!
Frigga comes from the Norse god that Friday is named from while triskaidekaphobia means fear of the number 13.
Calendar patterns
There are a few calendar patterns to look out for when it comes to this day like the fact that months that have a Friday the 13th begin on a Sunday!
There can only be one, two or three Fridays the 13ths in a year. 6 of 14 years have one Friday the 13th, 6 of 14 years have two Fridays the 13th and 2 of 14 years have three Fridays the 13th.
Upcoming Friday the 13ths
2025 will only have one Friday the 13th on June 13th but look out for 2026 as there will be three!
Friday, February 13th, Friday, March 13th and Friday, November 13th.
Do you believe in this superstitious day, Canada?
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