Happy Bad Luck Day! Isn’t that what Friday the 13th is?
Well, not for everybody. Do you know why Friday the 13th is considered unlucky? I did a little research and here’s what I discovered.
The number 13 has been considered unlucky since before Jesus walked the earth. But a few things pushed it beyond that gentle superstition.
Some historians have claimed it was the day Eve bit the apple, the great flood began and possibly when the Tower of Babel was started.
In the New Testament there were 13 people present for Jesus’s last super which took place on the day before Christ’s crucifixion, Good Friday.
Chaucer made reference to the unluckiness of the day in the Canterbury Tales stating that it was bad luck to start a journey or a project on a Friday.
On Friday October 13, 1307, Philip IV of France arrested hundreds of the Knights Templar and systematically slaughtered them.
Twelve is the number of completion leaving 13 on the outskirts. There are 12 months of the year, 12 gods of Olympus, 12 hours of the clock, 12 tribes of Israel, 12 Apostles of Jesus, just to name a few.
There seems to be no solid reason why Friday the 13th is unlucky and yet there is a name for the fear of the day: paraskevidekatriaphobia – from the Greek words paraskeví meaning ‘Friday’, and dekatreís meaning ‘thirteen’. The fear of the number 13 itself is called triskaidekaphobia.
I for one sort of like the number 13. Two of my favorite people have birthdays on the 13th. Alfred Hitchcock was born on Friday the 13th and he’s cool, don’t ya think? A baker’s dozen is definitely better than a regular dozen. After all, 13 donuts are better than 12 right? Well, maybe not to my waistline!
But if you are still leery. watch out for ladders, black cats, and Greeks bearing gifts and somehow manage to have a fabulous day!
So what do you say? Friday the 13th…lucky or unlucky?
Leave a comment and get entered into a drawing to win one of 3 copies of my latest Guideposts Amish mystery, Shoo Fly, Shoo. (FYI: this is book 12 of the Sugarcreek Amish Mystery Series.)
amywritesromance.com 
I’ve never been superstitious. (Love the Stevie Wonder song though) My maternal grandfather was very superstitious, hence my mother is too.
Thanks for the giveaway! Happy Friday the 13th!
FYI tonight is a full moon too, praying for all those working the ERs across the country. ‘Cause I do believe in the full moon making some folks a little “crazy”.
Definitely! A full moon causes all kinds of trouble!!
I’m not a superstitious person. To me it is just another day. My day can be either a blessing or it could be bad, but usually if i focus more on good things it can make a difference. Like the verse in the bible in Philippians chapter 4. Think on the things that are what so ever good.
Blessings
Diana
I LOVE that quote!!
Just finished reading your book Just Plain Sadie. I always wonder why Amish and Mennonite are so different and yet sad that the two religions do not associate.
It is a strange dynamic. I would liek to writer more about the Mennonite people. :)
I like the number 13, my birthday is August 13. Not superstitious and don’t believe in luck, good or bad. Would be so excited to win Shoo Fly, Shoo. Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Good luck! :)
No, I don’t think of Friday the 13th as unlucky.. I have two family members born on the 13th..
Although I think some people can be convinced that it is unlucky :)
Yes, I feel the same. It’s only unlucky if you think it is! :)
Remember my 13th birthday was on Friday the 13th and I had 13 people at my party? Pretty lucky for me :)
Lucky for me too! :)
I am not really superstitious. Today has been a great day! Happy Friday the 13th!
Happy Friday the 13th to you too!
ihavesomeluckydays and other not praise kord
May the lucky ones out number the not so lucky! :)
I feel Friday is a lucky day, no reason to feel its unlucky.
Good philosophy! :)
My oldest son thinks Friday the 13th is a great day. He loves the 13th.
Thereadmaster@me.com
Mine too! LOL
Thanks so much for the opportunity to win one of your wonderful books!!! You are a great writer and when I am reading one of your books…my mind is already thing about the next one to read!!! Have a great day!!! Good Luck to Everyone!!!
cavallofrances@yahoo.com…didn’t know if I needed to include my email address…so better safe than sorry…bye for now!!!
Winner announcement! The lucky winners of the 3 copies of Shoo, Fly, Shoo are Gail Hollingsworth, Wanda Burnett, and Pam W. Please email me at amylillard918@gmail.com with your mailing address so I can get your prizes out to you! Thanks everyone!! And be looking for more opportunities to win! <3