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What do you prefer to do on Friday the 13th? Spend a weekday at the usual pace or lock yourself in the apartment, trying not to leave the bed once again?
You knew that some people have such a strong fear of the 13th that scientists even gave the name of a phobia in front of a seemingly ordinary number. People who are numb from the number “13” are called triskaidekaphobes. The fear of Friday the 13th in such people is absolutely uncontrollable and sometimes comes to panic attacks.
There are many superstitious tales and mysterious arguments associated with Friday the 13th. In today’s top, we will talk about the most interesting facts and misconceptions about an unusual Friday.
10 The power of the number “13”
There are several theories why people are afraid of combining Friday with the number “13”. The first of the theories is related to religion: it is believed that Jesus was crucified exactly on Friday of a date we do not know. After that, the people began to identify the combination of Friday with the number “13” as something demonic and unlucky.
The second theory is tied to the order of Philip the Handsome, who ordered the arrest of members of the rich Knights Templar. Some sources claim that Philip chose the 13th as the day of his arrest for a reason, because the ruler believed in his dark magic. Misfortune was sent to the Templars and most of them were executed, and the belief about the terrible power of the 13th was entrenched among the people.
9. Famous Triskaidekaphobes
Among the famous geniuses, there were quite a few who preferred to spend the whole day on the 13th in bed, afraid to once again start any business.
For example, the great German writer Johann Goethe officially refused to do anything on the 13th, locking himself in his room and not getting out of bed until the next day.
Arnold Schoenberg suffered from triskaidekaphobia. All his life the composer was afraid of the 13th. Ironically, he was born on September 13 and died on July 13, 13 minutes before midnight.
8. The most “fearful” countries
The fear of Friday the 13th is called Paraskavedekatriaphobia. Residents of the USA and Great Britain suffer the most from this phobia.
In America, for example, according to the latest statistics, the horror before Friday the 13th covers 21 million people! The country’s economy suffers incredible losses on this day, as people do not visit entertainment centers, shops and any public places, preferring to sit at home on this day.
In British hospitals on Friday the 13th, the number of patients with injuries goes through the roof. Someone links this undeniable statistic with the demonic number 13, and skeptical sociologists unanimously assure that the people of Britain need to consume less alcohol. After all, it is common for this country to spend every Friday evening after a hard working week in a bar, and then get behind the wheel while intoxicated. Hence the overcrowded hospitals, so the 13th is completely not to blame.
7. Impact on work
Many people get so worked up about the upcoming date that they make serious mistakes in their work. These mistakes, of course, fall on the dark influence of the 13th.
Many motorists on Friday the 13th prefer walking or public transport, being afraid to drive on their own that day. Imagine how the income of taxi drivers who decide to work on the 13th increases?
It is known that surgeons categorically refuse to appoint serious operations on Friday the 13th. People of this profession are very superstitious, because often the successful outcome of the operation depends not only on the professional skills and experience of the doctor, but also on lady luck. And luck, as you know, is not to be expected on Friday the 13th.
6. Thomas Lawson
A Boston broker who made his name famous by publishing a book with the terrible title Friday the 13th. In the book, Lawson talks about the stock market fraud that was carried out precisely on Friday the 13th, manipulating the fears and fears of some people.
A little later, a seven-masted schooner was named after Thomas. The ship did not exist for a long time, having fallen into a terrible storm on its very first sailing from the coast. It happened on Friday. On Friday the 13th.
5. Airlines and number 13
If you are planning a vacation and want to save money on buying air tickets, we strongly recommend booking a flight on the 13th. Any major airline will offer you a 10% discount on tickets on the day of departure. And if the flight falls on Friday the 13th, then you are provided with at least a 20% discount on the flight.
All this is due to the fact that a huge number of people ignore the 13th as the day of departure, and airlines are trying to attract at least some buyers with discounts.
4. Who loves the 13th?
Hackers. It was Friday the 13th that became a kind of trigger for all major hacker groups. On this day, a colossally high number of attacks on computer systems and virus launches are recorded.
In 1988, a hacker attack wiped over 1000 data from every computer in the world. It is good that this virus did not occur today, when every inhabitant of civilized countries has a computer.
3. Maritime superstitions
Sailors are known for their superstitions and superstitions. For example, any inhabitant knows that a woman on a ship is in trouble. It was forbidden to whistle on deck – it would definitely attract a storm. And it was necessary to step onto the deck strictly from the right foot.
Given the vast array of fears of the sea, it is not surprising that sailors were afraid of the 13th. And the combination of this date and Friday kept all sailing people at bay.
On Fridays, not a single ship left the shore; it was believed that this day of the week was capable of calling trouble on sailors and the ship. The English government once wanted to prove the pointlessness of the fear of Friday and the 13th.
By royal order, the Friday ship was built. Its construction also began on Friday, the ship was launched on Friday, the first voyage of the ship took place … guess what day of the week?
From the moment of departure, the ship “Friday” and the crew were never seen again. Until now, the ship and sailors are considered missing.
2. 13 – always bad?
Not in all countries and not in all nations, the number 13 evokes associations with something dark. For example, in the Mayan tribes, the 13th day of the calendar, on the contrary, was considered a very auspicious and happy day.
In Spain, there is a fear of the 13th, but the Spaniards are not afraid of Fridays. Instead, the country’s spooky day is Tuesday the 13th.
In a number of Asian countries, the 13th does not cause any negative, on the contrary, Asians consider the 13th calendar day to be quite favorable. True, they are afraid of another number. For example, in Japan, China and Korea, people are terribly afraid of the number “4”, believing that it brings misfortune.
1. Cinema
The now common fear of Friday the 13th keeps modern cinema alive. A huge number of films have been shot on the theme of this day, which is only worth the franchise of the same name, which gave the world books, comics and games about Jason Voorhees.
Jason is a serial killer who comes to life on the day he dies – Friday the 13th, of course – and starts killing. With movies like this in popular culture, it’s no surprise that people continue to feel uncomfortable around Friday the 13th.