According to recent studies, almost a quarter of the population of Europe are wary of the number 13. If this number falls on a Friday, then the number of negative-minded people almost doubles. In the United States of America, the figures are even higher: one in three Americans believe in the magical power of this date. But you must admit that most Russians are quite wary of this fact if the 13th falls on Friday.
Black Friday from a psychological point of view
Psychologists around the world have their own explanation for why Friday the 13th is considered a bad day. They assure: the point is not at all in a certain magic of this day or number, the point is in the heads of the people themselves. Most of those who believe in its negative energy initially set themselves up for anxiety and anxiety, throughout the day people subconsciously expect trouble and, as a result, they notice only negativity, finding confirmation of their own fears in every little thing.
The history of the fateful date
There are many theories as to why Friday the 13th is considered a bad day. Briefly, we can say this: for the most part, they are rooted in pagan and Christian antiquity, giving this date a certain shade of devilry.
So, according to one of the beliefs, on this day 12 witches arranged their coven, the thirteenth participant of which was Satan himself. And the interpreters of biblical Scripture are sure that it was on Black Friday that Eve treated her husband Adam to the forbidden fruit in the depths of paradise. There is also a version that the world's first fratricide, when Cain killed Abel, according to the Holy Scriptures, also happened on such a Friday. interprets this day in its own way - Friday, 13. Why this is a bad day, they explain from the point of view of ancient legends: in ancient times, 12 apostles lived in peace and quiet in the palace, it was after the appearance of the thirteenth assistant that enmity began between all the inhabitants, and in as a result of one of the quarrels, the revered
Dangerous Superstition
Superstitious people come across not only among believers or mystically inclined personalities. Since 1791, for example, the British authorities have been actively fighting among sailors. Explains their fears why Friday the 13th is considered a bad day, one, in general, an ordinary case for those times. The fact is that on one of the Fridays with the ill-fated date, the ship called "Friday" set sail for free navigation, and no one has ever seen it again. Coincidence or not, the construction of the vessel also began on Friday. The number of superstitions regarding this day of the week among sailors increased significantly after this incident.
Among those who believe in the negative energy of Friday, the thirteenth, there were many well-known names. Napoleon Bonaparte, for example, canceled battles if they fell on Friday the thirteenth. Bismarck refused that day to put his signature under any, even the most insignificant documents. Some US presidents, such as Franklin Roosevelt, also tried not to make important decisions on this ill-fated day.
Friday the thirteenth as a diagnosis
Psychiatry has its own opinion on why Friday the 13th is so scary. Why is it for many, one of the leading psychologists explains: people who believe in such superstitions really have a lot of trouble on this day. And if you purposefully set yourself up for failures from the very morning, then they will definitely happen. In psychiatry, the panic fear of this date is regarded as a diagnosis and has a specific name: “paraskevidekatriaphobia”.
So before you give in to general nervousness, ask yourself this question: Why is Friday the 13th considered a bad day? Are these not our own inventions, which are better not to be taken into account at all? If you can’t get rid of bad thoughts, psychologists advise you to help yourself a little with this. It would be nice for believers to visit the church, light a candle for relatives and friends, pray and calm down. Atheists might be advised to be as skeptical as possible. Better yet, try to make this Friday "fun". Read jokes, watch comedies, chat with friends - and you will see that this Friday will be no worse than all other days.
Thirteen is a lucky number
Why Friday the 13th is considered a bad day is not understood, for example, by Jews, in whom it is considered quite respectable. It was on the thirteenth day, according to Jewish belief, that the Messiah descended to earth. Even Israel itself is divided into thirteen parts, Kabbalah has 13 sources, thirteen streams of balm, thirteen gates.
This number was also revered, among them it was considered a symbol of the favor of the gods. So why is Friday the 13th considered a bad day? Photos and videos from various sources, various horror stories and fictional stories, even modern cinema - all this successfully cultivates and maintains the myth about the terrible purpose of this date. There can be only one advice here: one should not succumb to general panic and give this day a meaning that is not inherent in it. Believe only then and life will thank you positively!
What does "Friday the 13th" mean? Why is it associated with something bad and dark for many? And how much truth lies in all the rumors and superstitions associated with this mystical number?
In order to get to the truth, let's take a short digression into the history of mankind and look for information about Friday the 13th there. And, believe me, there are a lot of them, and some of them really make you believe in the fatal power of this date. But first things first.
What does Friday the 13th mean today?
Despite the fact that it is the 21st century, people still believe in the existence of mystical powers and mysterious signs. One of the strangest is the superstition that Friday the 13th is a very bad day.
For some reason, people believe that on such days, misfortune haunts them. Therefore, especially superstitious individuals try to give up all serious affairs and stay away from everything that can harm their health. Sometimes it comes to the point of absurdity: those who are especially fearful close themselves in their own rooms and refuse to contact the outside world.
Naturally, most people do not do this, because it is stupid. And yet the fact remains that with the advent of Friday the 13th, here and there one can hear whispered stories about the mysterious incidents associated with this day.
But when did it start? Who first began to consider this day dark? And why did this happen? In order to understand this, let's find out what Friday the 13th means in the understanding of our distant ancestors.
Mystical numbers in antiquity
The ancient Greeks were obsessed with numbers, which is probably why they became the forefathers of many geometric theories. In particular, they believed that 12 is an ideal number that symbolizes order and harmony. But the number 13, on the contrary, was bad, since its existence upset the balance.
As for Friday, it was not considered dark or unlucky. Moreover, only on this day of the week was it allowed to hold celebrations in honor of the goddess Athena. Therefore, for the Greeks, Friday was more of a solemn date than a harbinger of misfortune.
Beliefs of our ancestors
If everything is clear with the Greeks, then what does Friday the 13th mean for the Slavs? It so happened that for our ancestors this day of the week was sacred. It was on him that the most important celebrations and rituals of those times fell.
The Slavs believed that the last Friday in the month is the day of the Foremother of the World. Therefore, with her arrival, all women in Russia had an extracurricular day off. They could do nothing and just enjoy the world around them.
The Slavs also had a special date: the "thirteenth" Friday of the year. It was calculated according to the lunar calendar and was a very important religious event. After all, it was on this day that rituals were performed aimed at strengthening the family. At the same time, both women and men participated in the celebration.
So, the girls prayed to the goddess of fertility that she bestowed them with her patronage. As for the guys, they competed with each other in strength and endurance. And the ladies standing nearby could watch them and choose a worthy betrothed.
The sad fate of the Templars
As for notoriety, according to scientists, it stuck to this day at the beginning of the XIV century, during the reign of Philip IV. And to be more precise, after he dealt with the Order of the Knights Templar.
This happened due to the fact that the Holy Order began to acquire too much power. Numerous helped the knights acquire lands that brought huge profits. And where there is money, there is the opportunity to control others, including courtiers and even kings.
A similar order of things suited many monarchs, but not Philip IV, nicknamed the Handsome by the people. He did not want to share his power with the holy host, and therefore decides to get rid of them. On October 13, 1307, he issues a decree: to arrest all the Templars, and transfer their property to the disposal of the state.
A little later, most of the prisoners were burned at the stake as heretics and criminals of the faith. Moreover, the massacre fell on Friday the 13th. That is why it will be remembered for a long time as a bloody date.
Myths of Christianity
Even more fuel was added to the fire by the Catholic Church, expressing its opinion on what Friday the 13th means. This number, in their opinion, from the beginning of time was famous for its bad influence on people. So, it was on this day that Adam and Eve were expelled from paradise, and sin fell on all people. In addition, on Friday the 13th, Cain killed Abel, forever staining this date with human blood.
Also, a lot of troubles brought the ill-fated number to Jesus Christ. First, according to some reports, he was crucified on Friday the 13th, which made that day a bad day in the eyes of his followers. Secondly, 13 people were present at the Last Supper, which became the last for the Savior. Perhaps these are mere coincidences, but many see them as bad omens.
That is why, if a Christian is asked: “What does Friday the 13th mean?”, then he will most likely answer that it is And, given all of the above, it will be very difficult to convince him otherwise.
Witches and sorcery
Now let's talk about what Friday the 13th means to Satanists and witches. After all, if you think about it, this is the best time for dark charms and spells. And indeed, according to legend, it is on this day that all witches gather together. Great Sabbath - that's what Friday the 13th means. The full moon that falls on this date only enhances its significance for dark sorceresses and sorcerers.
What is going on in such a sabbath? If you believe the stories of the occultists, then such magical meetings are held at various places where dark power comes out. For example, it could be a cemetery, an old forest, or an old battlefield. According to the laws of the Sabbath, 12 witches conduct it, and their 13 guest is the devil himself, who appears in the form of a goat or a man with a goat's head.
Together they dance in a wild shameless dance, thereby showing their love for sin and depravity. A little later, an orgy begins, during which the wicked endows the witches with his power. After that, everyone scatters to their homes in order to continue to do evil and sow chaos.
As for Satanists, they also love Friday the 13th. Even if they don’t arrange covens, they still practice dark magic.
Dark dates associated with Friday the 13th
Over the long history of mankind, there have been more than one hundred mysterious cases associated with this fateful date. Unfortunately, it is impossible to list them all, so let's focus only on the most significant of them:
- So, on October 13, 1066, the last Anglo-Saxon king Harold II refused the offer of the Normans to surrender the kingdom. As a result, his army still lost, and the monarch himself died at the hands of enemies.
- In 1791, the British authorities decided to dispel the mystical rumors about Friday the 13th. To do this, they built a new ship, which they named after a dark date. Moreover, he went to sea just the same on Friday the 13th. Alas, their hopes were dashed, as the ship disappeared forever in the vast expanses of the ocean.
- This date was also unlucky for the great gangster Al Capone. After all, it was on Friday that he was arrested by the Chicago police.
- The famous American Shakur has always been famous for his extraordinary luck. Throughout his career, he successfully evaded repeated attempts on his life. But on September 13, 1996, luck failed him, and the killer's bullet nevertheless overtook Shakur.
Popularization of the myth
Today, almost everyone on the planet knows what Friday the 13th means. If you do not take into account the mystical beginning of this myth, then a completely logical question arises: “How did it happen that everyone considers this day to be bad?”
And the blame for everything is television, which has repeatedly raised the topic of mysticism and witchcraft on its TV shows and in films. What is the American horror film called "Friday the 13th" worth, in which the life of a psychopathic maniac is revealed.
Psychics and fortune tellers also made a lot of noise. They constantly reassure their customers that Friday the 13th is truly a dark day. Some clergy also join their opinion, which is true, the official church assures: there is nothing wrong with this date.
Famous debunking of the Black Friday myth
As soon as rumors spread that Friday the 13th was an unlucky date, there were those who wanted to refute them. And if in the case of the British ship the experiment turned out to be a failure, then our next hero achieved his goal.
It all started with the fact that a certain William Fowler decided to found a club dispelling various mystical rumors and fictions. Naturally, such an organization and the name should be appropriate. And therefore, William, without thinking twice, calls him the "Club of Thirteen", because exactly so many people are included in it. Moreover, the official opening is scheduled for Friday, January 13, 1881.
Since the main task of the club was the destruction of myths, they did everything possible to do this. For example, they dined at a table on which salt was scattered, or passed through the door under the stairwell. And here's what pleases: for the entire time the club has existed, nothing bad has happened to its members.
For many years, people have been trying to figure out if Friday the 13th is really a dangerous day, or is it just superstition. To avoid danger and unpleasant consequences, it is necessary to find out why people attach such mystical significance to this seemingly ordinary day.
Although the times of paganism have already passed, people still continue to attach importance to some signs and superstitions. That is why the question of whether to be afraid of Friday the 13th has still not been answered. The approach of this mystical day makes us think about what needs to be guarded against on this day. However, many people do not even realize why, even in the modern world, humanity continues to attach special importance to Friday the 13th.
Why is Friday the 13th considered an unlucky day?
Speaking about the mystical meaning of Friday 13, one should rely not only on signs and superstitions, but also on historical facts. As it turned out, there are several reasons at once confirming that Friday the 13th is indeed an unfavorable day.
Reason 1. In religious culture, the number 13 is unlucky. According to Scripture, during the Last Supper, Judas, who sold Christ for 30 pieces of silver, was the thirteenth person at the table. In addition, John in his Gospel tells about the act of a traitor in chapter 13. Perhaps this is just a coincidence, but in the Christian world, this number still carries only negative associations.
Reason 2. Many factors have influenced the negative attitude towards this day, including legends. According to one of them, when witches organized a witches' sabbath, Satan became its main participant, who to this day is the personification of evil and death. Most often, 12 witches took part in the meeting, and Satan himself became exactly the 13th.
Reason 3. Since ancient times, 13 has been considered the number of the Devil. To avoid danger, on this day, people tried not to do important things and not spend a lot of time on the street, and many preferred to stay at home altogether. According to one of the signs, if a person has 13 letters in his first and last name, then he is under the protection of evil.
Reason 4. Even numerologists have not bypassed the number 13. According to numerology, the number 12 is a symbol of perfection. It is believed that by adding one number to it, you can incur bad luck.
Reason 5. Studies have shown that many major accidents occurred on Friday the 13th. These include the crash of the Costa Concordia airliner, which resulted in the death of 32 people, as well as the disaster involving the Il-62 airliner that crashed near Moscow, which killed 174 people . These are not the only misfortunes that occurred on Friday the 13th, which is why on this day many airlines reduce ticket prices to any part of the world.
Reason 6. It is not surprising that even in the modern world, people continue to attach special importance to Friday the 13th, even if psychologists note that this day is really unlucky. It is believed that at this time people are much more likely to feel a deterioration in their mental state. The main symptoms include panic attacks, depression and even suicidal tendencies. There is an opinion that such phenomena arise only because of the fear of being in a dangerous situation, because for many years superstitions have indicated that on this day a person can face any trouble.
Reason 7. Despite the fact that science denies the existence of superstitions, scientists have repeatedly tried to find out why this number is considered unlucky. Studies have shown that the number of accidents increases on this day, and people are unlucky much more often. However, it has not been possible to prove why this happens.
Reason 8. On Friday the 13th, superstitious people try to postpone travel and business trips, many give up tickets and reschedule trips to another day. In the UK, the number of road traffic accidents is increasing at this time. In this regard, residents try to move exclusively on foot, neglecting even public transport.
Reason 9. In 1989 the virus Friday the 13th, which hit a lot of computers, brought a lot of attention to this day. This incident occurred in England on January 13th. At that time, few people knew about the existence of computer viruses, which is why the huge coverage caused a real panic among users. Since then, the antivirus industry began to develop much more actively, and studies to this day prove that on this day the attack of viruses increases several times.
Reason 10. The experience of ancestors shows that it is on Friday the 13th that people run the risk of finding themselves in a situation that can lead to negative and even mournful consequences. For example, standing under the stairs on Friday the 13th is poverty. If on this day you witnessed a funeral, expect another death.
How to avoid trouble
Considering that any troubles can happen to a person on this day, you should learn how to protect yourself and avoid danger.
Also on Friday the 13th, you should not conduct financial transactions, make large purchases, borrow and lend money. This can result in major financial losses for you.
Even if you had to become a participant in the conflict, try to correct the situation as soon as possible. At this time, "energy vampires" are especially active, and after communicating with them, you will experience not only a depressed mood, but also a deterioration.
Experience shows that it is on this day that a large number of computer viruses are sent out. Therefore, you should be more careful not to open suspicious sites and links, but it is better to completely abandon the use of a computer.
Getting married on Friday the 13th is not only a bad omen, but also a huge risk. It is believed that marriages entered into on this day will not be happy and will end very quickly, and the event itself can fail at any moment.
It has been proven that the number of car accidents increases on this day. In this regard, drivers are advised to exercise caution while driving and choose only proven routes for movement. Pedestrians should also be more careful not to become a victim of a sloppy driver.
On Friday the 13th, it is advisable to avoid any medical procedures and not visit doctors at all. The consequences can not only be disappointing, but dangerous for you.
If possible, it is best to stay at home on this day. If you are forced to leave the apartment, try to be more attentive and pay attention to any suspicious things and changes. On this day, accidents may not be accidental at all.
On Friday the 13th, each person may face a number of problems, but it is quite possible to avoid them. Take advantage of effective conspiracies with which you can protect yourself. Be careful and don't forget to press the buttons and
There are a huge number of superstitions and signs in the world. Friday the 13th of any month is one of the most ominous dates. She is associated with all the strange occurrences that marked this day on this day. The term "Friday the 13th" became famous after a series of horror films of the same name were released.
Ominous date - Friday the 13th
Many people prefer not to make important appointments for this date, or they postpone serious matters. Paraskavedekatriaphobia is the fear of Friday the 13th. This phobia is quite common, it affects more than sixty million people. Those who have a severe form of the disease prefer to spend this date at home, behind closed doors, not answering the phone, completely limiting communication with the outside world, or even not getting out of bed so that there is no trouble.
The number 13 is a symbol of dark forces
Friday the 13th falls every two hundred and twelve days and is a mystical date in many countries with different cultures. Around the very number "thirteen" the myth arose in the Middle Ages. It is believed that it is a symbol of the Devil. According to old beliefs, it is on this mystical date that the Sabbath takes place, to which twelve witches flock, and at the height of the festivity, Satan joins them. Therefore, the number was called the "devil's dozen."
In the esoteric teaching called Kabbalah, there are thirteen evil spirits.
In Christian culture, the number thirteen was also considered ominous. It was Judas who was the thirteenth apostle who betrayed his teacher Jesus. This fact is described in the thirteenth chapter of the Gospel of John. Apocalypse or revelations of John the Evangelist? This is the last, thirteenth book of the New Testament.
They crucified Christ on Friday, this is a proven historical fact. It was on this day that Adam and Eve were expelled from paradise because they ate the forbidden fruit. And Abel raised his hand to his own brother Cain.
The historical facts that make Friday the thirteenth even more negative include arrest of members of the Knights Templar in 1307. It was a fairly powerful organization, whose members were famous and wealthy people. Almost seven hundred years ago, the French king Philip on Friday, October thirteenth, gave the order to seize and exterminate the knights of this order. Shortly after their arrest, the Holy Inquisition declared them heretics and sentenced them to death by burning. This sentence was carried out and made Friday the 13th an even more sinister and mysterious day.
At the end of the eighteenth century, a ship was built by the English authorities, which was called "Friday". This name was coined in order to prove to the inhabitants of England that the terrible superstition is absurd. Work on the construction of the ship began on Friday the 13th. On the same date, it was decided to launch it. After the ship went beyond the horizon, no one ever saw it again. His entire crew was declared missing.
Friday the 13th was marked by two more famous shipwrecks. On Friday, December 13th, 1907, the unique schooner Thomas W. Lawson was caught in a storm and sank. Its construction was initiated by the shipowner Crowley, who was the namesake of a well-known occultist at that time. According to one version, this ship was named after the author of the then-famous novel Friday the 13th, in which the author described the stock exchange scams that took place on that day, taking advantage of the fact that many people are afraid of an ominous date. But this fact is not confirmed, since the schooner was launched in 1902, and the novel was published in 1907.
On the night of Friday, January 13, 2013, near the coast of Italy, the cruise liner Costa Concordia ran into a reef and partially sank. About 4,000 people traveled on it. The crash occurred shortly after sailing, and the passengers did not have time to complete a briefing.
But the sailors of Spain and Portugal still consider Friday the 13th an auspicious day, since on this day Christopher Columbus set off on a journey, and it was marked by the discovery of America.
In Indiana, which is one of the US states, a law has been passed according to which, on Friday the 13th, owners of black cats, before letting them out for a walk, must put collars on them with bells.
On January 13, 1989, a computer virus called "Friday the 13th" hit many personal computers in England. Since at that time few people encountered viruses, this caused a terrible panic among users. As a result, the antivirus industry began to develop rapidly. But until today, according to statistics, there are more virus attacks on Friday the 13th than on other days. So the launch of virus attacks has become a kind of tradition among hackers.
In 1970, in February, the famous group Black Sabbath, whose work was associated with the occult, released their album called Friday the 13th. The album rose to thirteenth place on the charts and laid the foundation for a new musical direction, the name of which is translated as "heavy metal".
According to statistics in the UK on this date there are more traffic accidents than on other days. But in Holland these days the number is decreasing as people become more attentive. Surgeons try not to carry out elective operations on this day, doctors? rather superstitious people, they are sure that the risk of complications and failures increases.
The famous Dutch composer Arnold Schemberg suffered from paraskavedekatriaphobia. His date of birth was on the thirteenth of September. He was afraid of this figure all his life. His birthday in 1951 was on July 13, Friday. All day the composer did not get out of bed and did not say a word. Before midnight, his wife started talking to him. The composer died as soon as he said the first word, on that day he was seventy-six years old.
His Italian colleague Gioachino Antonio Rossini, who wrote more than forty operas, was also afraid of the number 13 and considered it unlucky. He died on Friday, October 13, 1968.
For those who love to travel, it will be interesting that on Friday the thirteenth, air tickets are cheaper by twenty percent, due to the fact that on this day the number of passengers is significantly reduced. On the thirteenth day of the other days of the week, aircraft prices are reduced by ten percent.
Psychologists have observed a large group of people and drew attention to the fact that it is this date that mysteriously affects the human psyche. People on this day are much more prone to unjustified risk.
For those who are afraid of this ominous date, it would be useful to visit the church on this day and remember that in the culture of China and India, the number "thirteen" is considered lucky. In Greece, Tuesday the 13th is an unlucky day, and in Spain they do not like the number 17. Even superstitious people need to remember that if you do not believe in bad omens, they do not come true, and then the ominous date will turn out to be an ordinary happy day.
One rather interesting date awaits us all soon - Friday the 13th! Have you ever wondered why Friday the 13th is considered an unlucky day, where did this whole mystical story come from, and how long have people been afraid of this event? Well, we can answer at least two questions!
There are different theories about the origin of this concept, but let's first find out if the number 13 and Friday are unlucky signs separately!
Why Friday the 13th is considered a bad day: traditions and superstitions
The most obvious reason for branding the number 13 as unlucky, wicked, etc. , this is the reason of biblical origin, of course. During the Last Supper, there were 13 guests who gathered at the last meal of Christ, and who was the thirteenth companion, what do you think? Judas, of course! You truly know this character, and it will be superfluous to talk about his future fate.
Okay, with the number 13 everything is more or less clear, but what did Friday not please someone? It's hard to believe, for us, people who go to bed every Sunday thinking only about how everything started well on Friday, but our ancestors did not know what a five-day period was, so for some individuals Friday was something ominous! Why? Let's go back to the Bible!
According to Scripture, it was on Friday that Jesus Christ was crucified. This is why this day of the week has such a dark reputation.
And so, these two signs, "13" and "Friday", were considered unlucky from ancient times, but when did they decide to unite on one formidable date? It is impossible to answer this question, but there are a couple of theories!
Poor Templars
During the crusades, the Templars captured cities and villages and, naturally, became rich. But at that time, the French treasury, under the leadership of King Philip IV the Handsome, was empty and the king found a very original way out of this situation - he accused the Templar leadership of heresy and collusion against monarchies. The order was liquidated, and its property was confiscated, then executions and other medieval cruelty began. What about Friday the 13th, you ask? And besides, it was on Friday, October 13, 1307, that the king branded them enemies of mankind.
Jason goes hunting
But this story happened not so long ago. In the eighties of the last century, a film franchise started, which stretched right up to 2009 - Friday the 13th.
This film is about a maniac Jason, some kind of supernatural being who emerges from the depths of hell only on Friday the 13th, wears a hockey mask and cuts people right and left. The movie was popular in the last century, so it's no wonder it played such a prominent role in popularizing this controversial event as Friday the 13th.
It is impossible to say exactly where the prejudiced opinion came from by this day, but superstitions about him have not faded to this day, some people prefer not to leave the house on this day, and if they leave their shelter, then only to church!
Well, you friends, how do you feel about this day?