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Why are we like this? Whether you’re superstitious or not, you can’t escape everything related to the scariest calendar date.
The fear of 13 goes back centuries and many believe it comes from the Code of Hammurabi which resulted in the omission of the 13th law from his written law codes. In reality, however, this was just a mistake made by one of the translators who left out a line of text.
such superstitions are still among the greatest minds in history. The great austrian-American composer Arnold Schoenberg suffered from such a severe case of triskaidekaphobia (fear of the number 13) that the numbering of measure 13 was omitted in some of his later works,being replaced by the notation “12a”. He also saeid that he feared dying in a year or at an age that was a multiple of 13. When he reached the age of 76, a colleague suggested that it would be a very lucky year because of 7 + 6 = 13.In fact, Schoenberg died that year, on…wait a minute…on Friday, July 13, 1951.
The negative association of Friday in particular has a combination of religious and cultural origins. Some Christians believe that Friday is unlucky as it was the day of the week that Jesus was crucified. In the 14th and 15th centuries, famous people and famous writers began to publicly deny that day without much context as to why. George chaucer’s “The Canterbury Tales” describes Friday as an “unlucky day” and playwright Robert Greene defined the “Friday face” as “a sad look of horror or calamity.”
Unsurprisingly, we’re not entirely convinced by the past evidence that made Friday the 13th synonymous with bad luck and superstition. there are many theories dating back centuries, but most of them have been fully debunked.
The real Friday the 13th hysteria started in the 20th century. Many go back to Thomas Lawson’s book, “Friday, the Thirteenth,” about a stockbroker who chooses this day to crash the stock market on purpose.A year later, in 1908, the New York Times was one of the first media outlets to recognize Friday the 13th superstitions Later in the 1980s, the popularity of the “Friday the 13th” film franchise contributed to the cultural phenomenon.
One in four americans say they are superstitious. While the other three out of four Americans may scoff at this, psychological science may support the superstition.Psychologists at Kansas State University say that superstitions involve trying to control yoru destiny.People often use superstitions to try to achieve a desired outcome or to relieve anxiety.A perfect example of this is artists and athletes who perform
Mathematician and author Joesph Mazur explains how superstitions can promote a healthy, positive mindset.“Everyone wants luck,but since there is no tangible thing that we can call luck,we have to create that tangible thing by translating it into an object. “people cling to those things as a sense of security.”
A 2010 study by psychologist Stuart Vyse tested a group of people on various memory tasks. the group of people who were allowed to carry their amulets with them did better on memory tests than those who had their brackets removed.”It’s all about that ‘low cost’ confidence boost,” Vyse concluded.
By that logic, Friday the 13th could be as lucky as it might very well be unlucky, depending on your perspective. So, instead of dreading this mysterious date, try incorporating some positive rituals into your life and wait and see what happens!
What are some common rituals or practices people observe on Friday the 13th to ward off bad luck?
Interview: The Superstitions surrounding Friday the 13th
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome to Time.news! Today, we have Dr. Maria Cartwright, a cultural anthropologist and expert in superstitions, with us to delve into the intriguing phenomenon of Friday the 13th.Dr. Cartwright,thank you for joining us.
Dr. Maria Cartwright (DMC): Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to discuss such a fascinating topic.
TNE: To start off, Friday the 13th has become synonymous with bad luck. Can you explain how this association came to be?
DMC: Absolutely.The fear surrounding the number 13 has roots that extend back centuries. One significant theory links it to the Code of Hammurabi where the omission of the 13th law was said to have occurred. Though, it was simply a translation error. Despite that, the narrative has persisted, leading to a cultural stigma against the number.
TNE: That’s captivating! It seems that past accidents can shape cultural beliefs. What can you tell us about famous figures who have struggled with this superstition?
DMC: One of the most notable is the composer Arnold Schoenberg. His triskaidekaphobia—or fear of the number 13—was so profound that he omitted measure 13 from his musical works, replacing it with “12a”. Ironically, he passed away on July 13, 1951, a Friday, further entrenching his fears in the annals of cultural superstition.
TNE: That must have been a tragic twist of fate! Now, also noteworthy is the negative perception of Fridays. Can you elaborate on its origins?
DMC: Yes, of course. The belief that friday is unlucky has a blend of religious and cultural origins. For Christians, Friday is considered inauspicious because it was the day Jesus was crucified. Additionally,writers such as Geoffrey Chaucer and Robert Greene in the 14th and 15th centuries perpetuated the notion of Friday being an unlucky day,which has echoed thru time.
TNE: Interesting how literature plays a role in shaping societal beliefs! Do people still actively avoid doing things on Friday the 13th today?
DMC: Many people do! Ther are individuals who avoid traveling, making major decisions, or even getting married. While some may find it amusing or treat it as a superstition, others genuinely believe in the implications of this date.
TNE: Given all of this, do you think the stigma of Friday the 13th could ever fade away?
DMC: Societies evolve, and this superstition might eventually lose its potency, especially among younger generations who prioritize rational explanations over tradition. However, for now, Friday the 13th remains a date steeped in caution, fear, and even fascination.
TNE: Fascinating insights, dr. Cartwright. Thank you for sharing your expertise with us today!
DMC: Thank you for having me! It’s been a pleasure to discuss the curious history behind our cultural superstitions.
TNE: And thank you to our readers for joining us. Stay curious and embrace the stories behind our societal beliefs!