Today, Friday the 13th, is considered the unluckiest of days in many superstitions, unless you were born on it - in which case it is your lucky day!

The fear of Friday the 13th - and take a deep breath before pronouncing it - is called paraskavedekatriaphobia or paraskevidekatriaphobia.

It is a specialized form of triskaidekaphobia, a phobia or fear of the number 13.

But enough of the scientific part, just what exactly are the origins of Friday the 13th as a spooky or unlucky day?

  • There are many stories told about this particular day and one of the best known is that Eve tempted Adam with the apple on a Friday; in other words, it's womens' fault.
  • The origins of the Friday the 13th superstition have also been linked to the fact there were 13 people at the last supper of Jesus, who was traditionally crucified on Good Friday, but it probably originated only in medieval times.
  • It has also been linked to the fact that a lunisolar calendar must have 13 months in some years, while the solar Gregorian calendar and lunar Islamic calendar always have 12 months in a year.
  • Another suggestion is that the belief originated in a Norse myth about 12 gods having a feast in Valhalla. The mischievous Loki gatecrashed the party as an uninvited 13th guest and arranged for Hod, the blind god of darkness, to shoot Baldur, the god of joy and gladness, with a mistletoe-tipped arrow. Baldur was killed and the Earth was plunged into darkness and mourning as a result.
  • Friday' was named after Frigg (or Frigga), the Norse goddess of marriage. Later she was confused with the goddess of love, Freya, who in turn became identified with Friday. When the Norsemen and Germanic tribes became Christians, Freya was supposed to have been banished to the mountains as a witch. Friday came to be called 'witches' Sabbath. It was believed that on this day, each week, 12 witches and the Devil met - 12 evil spirits in all.
  • Some also say that the arrest of Jaques de Molay, Grand Master of the Knights Templar, and 60 of his senior knights on Friday, October 13, 1307 by King Philip IV of France is the origin of this superstition. That day thousands of Templars were arrested and subsequently tortured. They then 'confessed' and were executed. From that day on, Friday the 13th was considered by followers of the Templars as an evil and unlucky day.

Friday the 13th facts

  • The number 13 is probably the most common of all superstitions.
  • Buildings avoid numbering the 13th floor. Airplanes avoid the 13th aisle.
  • Psychologists believe that Friday the 13th will become a day of bad luck if people focus on the day because people will create their own bad luck by paying attention to the superstition.

But whatever you believe, don't let it spoil your day - and let's hope a black cat doesn't cross your path......