lifestyle

Is 13 Lucky Or Unlucky?

Image by minorthreadsco from Pixabay

Friday the 13th happens in a month that starts with a Sunday. This happened in 2022. In 2023 there will be two one is TODAY and another in October.

A Friday falling on the 13th of the month happens at least once a year but can happen up to three times in one year.

It is a recognised fact that some people just expect something bad to happen on Friday the 13th. Airline ticket prices are supposed to drop and some bosses skip or cancel meetings that are held on that day.

Image by KERBSTONE from Pixabay

How often does the 13th fall on a Friday?

2020 - March and November
2021 - August
2022 - May
2023 - January and October
2024 - September and December
2025 - June

Origins of Friday the 13th

Many people believe that FRIDAY 13TH is unlucky because Judas in the Bible who betrayed Jesus is thought to be the 13th guest to sit down at the Last Supper and Jesus was crucified on a Friday.

Photo by Simon Harmer on Unsplash

Another reason is according to Norse mythology twelve gods were having a dinner party. A thirteenth god arrived who was not invited and killed one of the other gods making it a dark day thus causing the day to be considered unlucky.

Why is 13 unlucky?

The number 13 is considered unlucky by people who are superstitious. You will often find there is never a room 13 in hotels and lots of buildings don’t have a 13th floor. Most people avoid getting married on the 13th or even buy a house or make decisions on the 13th. It is also considered unlucky to have thirteen guests at a table.

In comparison Chinese people consider the number 13 to be lucky.

Facts about the number 13

In Greek mythology, Zeus was the thirteenth and the most powerful god.
Triskaidekaphobia is the fear of Friday the 13th
There are approximately 13 cycles of the moon each year
There are 13 cards in each suit in a standard deck of playing cards
The four seasons each have 13 weeks
Children become teenagers at age 13
Aluminum has an atomic number of 13
Apollo 13 had a successful landing on the moon and return to earth, despite an onboard explosion

Are black cats lucky or unlucky?

Image by Ton van de Blaak from Pixabay

The poor black cat seems to get bad press as for centuries it has been regarded by lots of people as being unlucky. Black cats are often associated with Halloween, witches and all things spooky. But in Ancient Egypt all cats including black ones were worshipped and considered sacred.

When a black cat crosses your path, do you cross yourself or count your blessings? This will depend on whether you are superstitious, or whether you're a cat lover or not.

Some common superstitions in the UK

Breaking a mirror
Walking under a ladder
Throwing salt over your shoulder after spilling it
Putting new shoes on the table
Opening an umbrella indoors
Crossing your fingers
Letting a black cat cross your path
Avoiding the number 13
Bad luck comes in threes
Knock on wood

One for sorrow, Two for joy!

Image by Josep Monter Martinez from Pixabay

A single magpie is supposed to bring bad luck but a pair bring joy and are positive.

Do you remember the long-running children's television programme called Magpie? It had a magpie as a mascot called Murgatroyd. The theme tune was played by the Spencer Davis Group but they called themselves The Murgatroyd Band for the programme. It was composed by Eddie Hardin, Ray Fenwick and Spencer Davis, but the main lyrics were from the children's nursery rhyme One for Sorrow.

I expect you are familiar with the modern version of the rhyme:

One for sorrow,
Two for joy,
Three for a girl,
Four for a boy,
Five for silver,
Six for gold,
Seven for a secret never to be told.
Eight's a wish and
Nine a kiss
Ten is a bird you must not miss.

Phobias about other numbers

Number 4 in China, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, Korea and Vietnam
Number 17 in Italy
Number 39 in Afghanistan

What is a good number?

The number 12 in western cultures is considered to be a good number as it is associated with completeness.

Image by Duncan Cumming

Some facts about the number 12:

12 days of Christmas
12 months in the year
12 signs of the zodiac
12 tribes of Israel
In the Bible Jacob had 12 sons
12 gods of Olympus
12 is how many are in a dozen
A gross is 12 dozen
Jesus had twelve disciples
12 hours in the face of an analogue clock
12 inches in a foot
A group of twelve things is called a Duodecad

So be careful because TODAY is Friday the 13th!

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