Why Friday the 13th Still Gives Us The Creeps: Superstitions That Won’t Die

For some, Friday the 13th is just another day. But, for others, it’s a day filled with superstition and spooky vibes. Whether it’s a date on the calendar that gives you a spine-chilling feeling or just a reason to binge-watch horror movies, Friday the 13th has fascinated people for many centuries with its eerie vibes and collection of fears. Let’s look at some of the most common superstitions that continue to have us look over our shoulders and why this day holds so much power.

Also known as “paraskevidekatriaphobia,” the fear of Friday the 13th derives from the ancient superstitions surrounding the number 13 and Fridays. Throughout many cultures, the number 13 has been known to be unlucky. This fear has become so common that it now has its own name: triskaidekaphobia. According to historians, the feeling lies in Christianity since the Bible states that 13 people were present at the Last Supper prior to Jesus being crucified. Ironically, his death occurred on a Friday, which intensifies the fear. So, as a result, combining these two only heightened the superstitions that seem to persists.

On the other hand, Friday the 13th, for some cultures, doesn’t have the same fear. The date has taken a life of its own in many parts of the world. In fact, the 1980s horror franchise “Friday the 13th,” introduced us to Jason Voorhees, who quickly became a symbol for the spooky date. For generations, the film series increased the idea that bad things will happen on Friday the 13th, cementing its place in the world of terror.

See the list below of some of the most common superstitions that people tend to avoid even still to this day:

Black Cats

• For some reason, black cats have long been a symbol of bad luck. Particularly on Friday the 13th, people try to stay away from these animals, since a black cat crossing your path can lead to a series of misfortunes.

Breaking A Mirror

• Shattering a mirror is almost the equivalent of ruining your life. Many people believe that if you break a mirror, you will receive seven years of bad luck.

Walking Under Ladders

• According to ancient symbolism, walking under a ladder can also bring bad luck. This idea comes from a ladder being shaped as a triangle, which is believed to represent life. So, in turn, walking under a ladder is seen as breaking the shape and disrupting its sacred balance.

Spilling Salt

• For centuries, salt has been known as purity and protection, so spilling it could only mean one thing: a bad spirit. The supposed remedy to fix this requires you to toss a pinch of salt over your left shoulder to blind the evil spirits that are lurking behind you.

Knock On Wood

• Knocking on wood is a classic way people attempt to attract good luck or ward off the possibility of bad luck. Most times, people won’t knock on actual wood but their heads instead, despite them not being made out of wood. Ancient pagans believed that spirits and Gods lived in trees and in order to wake them up for protection or good fortune, the pagans would knock on the trunk of trees.