Bet you didn't know it is technically "Friggatriskaidekaphobia" (whew that was a mouth full)! Frigga is the name of the Norse goddess for whom Friday is named and triskaidekaphobia means the fear of #13.
What's so bad about #13 you might ask?
At the Last Supper there were 13 attendants. Judas, who later betrayed Jesus, sat at the 13th place is one explanation.
Apollo 13 is the only unsuccessful mission to attempt to land on the moon.
Traditionally, 13 is the number of steps leading to a gallows.
In numerology 12 is considered the number of completion and 13 disturbs the balance.
Witches gathered in groups of 12 and it is said the devil would appear as #13.
In some traditions 13 is actually a lucky number.
In Judaism it is the age a boy achieves Bar Mitzvah.
There were 13 original colonies in the United States.
God has 13 attributes of Mercy.
In Hinduism the 13th day following a death is the day a memorial feast is held for the peace of the departed.
What it all boils down to is you can choose to believe that Friday the 13th is unlucky or lucky. I think if you are still here on the 14th you might tend to believe in its luck!
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Very true ... 13 has always been a fortunate number in our family, it was my dad's birthday and my parents' anniversary.
ReplyDeleteIt's never held any particular fear for me. I hadn't known of the Norse goddess connection for Fridays!
They say curiosity killed the cat Jan, I wonder what the origin of that expression is?
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