Friday the 13th Today, Beware?
The 13th of the month has landed on a Friday and people everywhere are touting suspicions and warnings, but why?
The somewhat unusual happenstance of a Friday the 13th remains the most prevalent superstition in the Western world, and those who fear the day the most have been clinically diagnosed with "triskaidaphobia."
However, is not completely apparent why Friday the 13th is believed to being on bad luck.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
One reason behind the lore of Friday the 13th could have to do with Scripture. In Christianity, Good Friday was a day filled with guilt, pain, and the death of Jesus Christ.
Friday the 13th carries so much weight with those who are superstitious that businesses have reported a decrease in sales on the day, according to the National Geographic.
Furthermore, people who are weary of Friday the 13th have also been known to avoid such instances as walking under ladders and letting a black cat cross their path.
Other superstitions similar to Friday the 13th include the belief that breaking a mirror causes seven years of bad luck and that items such as four leaf clovers and a rabbits' foot can stave off unlucky events.
In 2013, there are only two Fridays the 13th- this month, September, and again in December, each arriving 13 weeks after the other, In fact, any month that starts on a Sunday will have a Friday the 13th.
As for triskaidaphobia, many notable historical figures suffered from the irrational fear of the number 13, including Winston Churchill, J. Paul Getty, and President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Additionally, Napoleon regarded Friday the 13th with fear, and evidence suggests that Christopher Columbus also suffered from triskaidaphobia.
Alternately, there are some people who believe that Friday the 13th is a lucky day.
On Friday the 13th today, "Happy Friday the 13th" became a trending topic on Twitter with many users sounding off on the mysterious day.
"Happy Friday the 13th, make your own luck," wrote Joanne.
Perry added, "Watch out for serial killers and machetes. Maybe stay away from lakes."
In line with Friday the 13th superstitions, the new horror movie "Insidious 2" hit theaters today.
