Friday the 13th is a date that leaves no one indifferent. Synonymous with bad luck for some, good luck for others, it is surrounded by beliefs, symbols, and superstitions. Between its historical roots and religious connections, Friday the 13th represents a day unlike any other. But why is that? And what does this day really mean? Answers.
1. The historical and religious origins of Friday the 13th
1.1. The number 13 and the crucifixion of Christ
In Christianity, the number 13 has been seen as an unfavorable omen, largely because of its association with the Last Supper. According to the Gospels, thirteen people were present at this meal: Jesus and his twelve apostles. Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus, is described as the thirteenth person to take a seat at the table. This betrayal led to Jesus’ arrest, followed by his crucifixion the next day, a Friday.
Source: RCF
Why a Friday? Jesus’ crucifixion is directly linked to the celebration of the Jewish Passover, a major Jewish festival commemorating the liberation of the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt. According to the Gospels, Jesus was arrested and judged shortly before this festival. In the Jewish calendar, days begin at sunset. Thus, the day before the Sabbath (which starts Friday evening) is called Preparation. The Synoptic Gospels indicate that Jesus was crucified during this period, corresponding to a Friday in the Gregorian calendar.
1.2. The arrest of the Templars on Friday, October 13, 1307
One of the most famous historical events associated with Friday the 13th is the mass arrest of 100 Templars by King Philip IV of France, in collaboration with Pope Clement V. On Friday, October 13, 1307, members of this religious and military order were accused of heresy, idolatry, and various fabricated crimes. Many were tortured and executed in the following months.
Source: La Revue des Deux Mondes
Of course, this day was not chosen at random. As seen above, Friday being a day of preparation, it was usually less active for civil or military affairs. Sealed letters were sent throughout France to local officials, with clear instructions to open them only on a specific date: the night of Thursday, October 12, 1307, for execution of orders on Friday the 13th morning. And of course, Philip IV was aware of the symbolic weight of a Friday for Christianity.
1.3. The number 13 in numerology and its opposition to 12
The number 12 is widely considered a number of completeness. This perception is rooted in universal structures such as the 12 months of the year, the 12 zodiac signs, or the 12 labors of Hercules. In contrast, the number 13 is seen as exceeding this harmony. It introduces a notion of imbalance or rupture.
Numerology also attributes a complex energy to 13, interpreted as heralding transformation. Although this energy can be seen as positive, it is more often associated with the unknown and fear of change, which has contributed to its reputation as a bad omen.
2. The fear of Friday the 13th or paraskevidekatriaphobia
The fear of Friday the 13th, known as paraskevidekatriaphobia (from the Greek paraskeví meaning "Friday" and dekatria meaning "thirteen"), causes an irrational apprehension toward this specific date.
In modern culture, this fear has gained particular prominence thanks to works like the novel Friday the Thirteenth by Thomas W. Lawson or the Friday the 13th film series. For some people, this phobia manifests as real anxiety, leading them to avoid traveling, cancel events, or change their habits out of fear of misfortune.
3. Friday the 13th, Tuesday the 13th, or Friday the 17th
Friday the 13th is not synonymous with bad luck worldwide. This superstition is mainly rooted in Western cultures, especially in Europe, North America, and countries where Christian traditions have a strong influence.
In Spanish-speaking cultures, Tuesday the 13th is considered an unlucky day. This comes from Roman tradition and mythology, where Mars, the god of war, is associated with Tuesday. The 13, seen as an unbalanced number, combined with Mars’ warrior energy, is therefore viewed as a bad omen. A Spanish expression illustrates this superstition well: "Tuesday the 13th, don’t get married, don’t travel, and don’t leave your home."
In Italy, it is Friday the 17th that is unlucky, not the 13th. This fear is linked to the symbolism of the number 17 in Italian culture. In Roman numerals, XVII can be rearranged to form the word VIXI, which means "I have lived" in Latin, a phrase associated with death. Consequently, Friday the 17th is feared for its grim connotation.
In other parts of the world, such as Asia, Friday the 13th does not carry the same superstitious weight. In Japan and China, for example, the number 4 is considered unlucky because its pronunciation is close to the word "death" in their respective languages. These cultures do not give special importance to Friday the 13th but often avoid the number 4 in room numbers, floors, or license plates.
4. Superstitions related to the number 13
4.1. No 13th floor
In several Western countries, especially in the United States, the number 13 is considered so unlucky that many skyscrapers do not have a 13th floor. Elevators go directly from the 12th to the 14th floor (or renamed). An apartment on the 13th floor would generally be impossible to rent or sell. In 2002, 85% of New York buildings had no 13th floor!
Similarly, some cruise companies avoid numbering cabins or decks with the number 13 (this was the case with the Titanic, but it didn’t really protect it).
4.2. The Apollo 13 flight
NASA’s Apollo 13 mission, launched on April 11, 1970, at 1:13 p.m. local time, experienced a series of dramatic events. Two days after launch, an explosion in an oxygen tank endangered the crew, forcing the mission to be aborted. Although the crew returned safely thanks to remarkable efforts, this mission contributed to associating the number 13 with bad luck.
4.3. The dinner of 13 guests
A widespread superstition claims that there should never be 13 people at a table, lest misfortune be attracted. This belief stems, as seen above, from the Last Supper, where 13 people were present, Judas being the one who betrayed Jesus. But another possible origin is linked to Norse mythology, where Loki, the thirteenth guest at a banquet of the gods, caused the death of the beloved Balder.
Incidentally, Franklin D. Roosevelt, President of the United States, refused to attend dinners where 13 guests were present.
4.4. Horse races and the number 13
In some horse races in France, the number 13 is sometimes removed to avoid causing fear among bettors. This superstition is still alive, although statistically nothing indicates that the number 13 brings bad luck.
5. List of Fridays the 13th in 2025
It’s simple: in 2025, there will be only one Friday the 13th (there were two in 2024). It will fall on June 13, 2025.
The frequency of Fridays the 13th in the Gregorian calendar, used in most of the world, is determined by a set of simple calendar rules. The 13th of a month falls on a Friday when that month starts on a Sunday. This peculiarity explains why Friday the 13th can appear once, twice, or even three times in the same year, although this remains an exception.
