May the superstition be with you (on Friday the 13th)
By Timothy Schafer
Today would be a good day to call in sick.
It’s Friday the 13th, one of the more superstitious days of the year, a superstition of bad luck.
For years this day has brought out the superstitious side in many people, although there is no written evidence of the superstition before the 19th Century.
There are some theories as to why Friday the 13th is unlucky, with the modern combination being that the number 13 is an unlucky number and Friday is an unlucky day (because Jesus Christ was crucified on a Friday).
As well, in numerology the number 13 is considered irregular. In the 14th Century’s The Canterbury Tales, Friday the 13th was considered an unlucky day to undertake a journey or begin a new project.
Another theory about the origin of the superstition traces the event to the arrest of the legendary Knights Templar. For more on this theory, click here.
How deep is the fear of this day? This excerpt from Wikipedia illustrates it:
“According to the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in Asheville, North Carolina, an estimated 17 to 21 million people in the United States are affected by a fear of this day.
Some people are so paralyzed by fear that they avoid their normal routines in doing business, taking flights or even getting out of bed.
‘It’s been estimated that [US]$800 or $900 million is lost in business on this day.’
Despite this, representatives for both Delta and Continental Airlines say that their airlines do not suffer from any noticeable drop in travel on those Fridays.”
This is the only Friday the 13th of 2011.
Next year we’ll have to contend with three Friday the 13ths: in January, April and July.
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