Friday the 13th – often described as the creepiest day on the calendar – has returned, renewing long-standing beliefs about bad luck. Many Western cultures treat the number 13 as unlucky, while the specific fear of the date carries its own scientific term: paraskevidekatriaphobia, a form of triskaidekaphobia, or fear of the number 13.
Superstitions surrounding the number persist despite uncertain origins. Similar beliefs include the idea that a black cat crossing one’s path brings misfortune or that a broken mirror causes years of bad luck.
Why Friday the 13th is considered unlucky
Researchers estimate that as much as 10 percent of the United States population fears the number 13. Sociologist Barry Markovsky suggests the belief may arise from comparison with the number 12, which many traditions associate with completeness – seen in the months of the year, zodiac signs, Mount Olympus gods and the apostles of Jesus.
Religion and mythology also shape the superstition. Norse legend describes Loki arriving as the 13th guest at a feast in Valhalla and causing the death of Baldur. Christian tradition places Judas Iscariot as the 13th guest at the Last Supper, followed by the crucifixion of Jesus on a Friday. These narratives combine the symbolism of the number 13 with the day Friday, reinforcing the sense of misfortune.
Historians note that rumours and urban legends, not evidence, mainly sustain the belief. Even so, many buildings avoid a 13th floor, and some people still change behaviour on Friday the 13th.
How many Friday the 13th dates occur in 2026
The year 2026 contains three Friday the 13th dates, with two arriving back-to-back:
- Friday, February 13
- Friday, March 13
- Friday, November 13
The last year with three such dates was 2015, and the next will be 2037. Across a 14-year cycle, six years contain one Friday the 13th, six contain two, and only two contain three. Any month that begins on a Sunday will include a Friday the 13th.
Cultural impact and modern reactions
Popular culture – especially the long-running horror film franchise inspired by the date – has strengthened its ominous reputation. Social media users often describe the timing as unsettling, particularly when the date falls immediately before Valentine’s Day. Athletes competing in major events, such as the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, may also feel added pressure linked to superstition.
Yet scientists emphasise that no credible evidence connects Friday the 13th with higher rates of accidents or disasters. The belief survives largely through storytelling, symbolism and shared cultural habits rather than measurable reality.
Historical roots of the number 13 superstition
Documented references to 13 as unlucky appear mainly after the Middle Ages in Europe. Tarot traditions from around 1450 include a card numbered 13 representing death. Eighteenth-century writers later described the number as associated with misfortune.
Records from at least 1774 mention the superstition that 13 people sitting at a table foretells death within a year. Attempts to challenge such beliefs emerged in 1881, when an influential group of New Yorkers, led by US Civil War veteran Captain William Fowler, came together to put an end to this and other superstitions. They formed a dinner cabaret club, which they called the Thirteen Club. At the first meeting, on January 13, 1881, at 8:13 p.m., thirteen people sat down to dine in Room 13 of the venue. The guests walked under a ladder to enter the room and were seated among piles of spilled salt. Thirteen Clubs had various imitators, became widely known, but they all gradually faded due to a lack of interest.
Several historical events later reinforced the number’s reputation, including the sinking of the British submarine HMS K13 in 1917 and the near-disaster of the Apollo 13 space mission in 1970, which forced astronauts to abort a lunar landing but ultimately return safely.
Between coincidence and belief
Financial crashes, altered vehicle registration systems and even changes to space-mission numbering have all been linked – accurately or not – to the number 13. Conspiracy theories and popular culture continue to build on these associations.
Despite centuries of stories, experts agree that Friday the 13th holds no proven power. For some, the date still inspires caution. For others, it remains nothing more than an ordinary Friday shaped by myth, memory and imagination.
Also read: Viking rune stones: Love, loss and legacy
For more videos and updates, check out our YouTube channel
