What do you prefer to do on Friday the 13th? Spend a weekday at your usual pace or lock yourself in an apartment, trying not to leave your bed again?
You knew that some people have such a strong fear of the 13th that scientists even called the phobia a seemingly ordinary number. People who are numb from the number 13 are called triskike decaphobes. The fear of Friday the 13th of such people is completely uncontrolled and sometimes comes to panic attacks.
Friday the 13th there are many superstitious tales and mysterious arguments. In today's top we will talk about the most interesting facts and misconceptions about an unusual Friday day.
10. The power of the number "13"
There are several theories why people are afraid of a combination of Friday with the number "13". The first of the theories is related to religion: it is believed that Jesus was crucified precisely on Friday of a notorious number for us. After that, people began to identify the combination of Friday with the number "13", as with something demonic and unhappy.
The second theory is tied to the order of Philip the Beautiful, who ordered the arrest of members of the rich Order of the Templars. Some sources claim that Philip, not without reason, chose the 13th day of arrest, because the ruler believed in his dark magic. Misfortune was sent to the Templars, and most of them were executed, and among the people, a belief about the terrible power of the 13th was entrenched.
9. The famous triskaydekafoby
Among the famous geniuses there were quite a few who preferred to spend the whole day of the 13th day in bed, being afraid to once again start any business.
For example, the great German writer Johann Goethe officially refused to do anything on the 13th, closing in his room and not getting out of bed until the next day.
Arnold Schoenberg suffered from Triskaidecaphobia. Throughout his life, the composer was afraid of the 13th. Ironically, he was born on September 13, and died on July 13 13 minutes before midnight.
8. The most “fearing” countries
The fear of Friday the 13th is the unpronounceable name of parasquedecatriaphobia. Residents of the USA and Great Britain suffer most from this phobia.
In America, for example, according to the latest statistics, the horror of Friday the 13th covers 21 million people! The country's economy suffers incredible losses for this day, since people do not visit entertainment centers, shops and any public places, preferring to sit out at home on that day.
In British hospitals, on Friday the 13th, the number of patients with injuries surpasses. Someone connects this undeniable statistics with a demonic number of 13, and skeptical sociologists unanimously assure that residents of Britain need to drink less alcohol. Indeed, it is common for this country to spend an evening at a bar every Friday after a hard working week, and then to drive while intoxicated. Hence the crowded hospitals, so the 13th is completely innocent.
7. Impact on work
Many people wind themselves up so much about the date that they make serious mistakes in their work. These errors, of course, fall on the dark influence of the 13th.
Many motorists on Friday the 13th prefer walking or public transport, fearing that day to drive themselves. Imagine how the income of taxi drivers who decide to work shift on the 13th increases?
It is known that surgeons categorically refuse to appoint serious operations on Friday the 13th. People in this profession are very superstitious, because often the successful outcome of an operation depends not only on the professional skills and experience of the doctor, but also on the good luck. And good luck, as you know, on Friday the 13th you can’t wait.
6. Thomas Lawson
The Boston broker, who glorified his name by publishing a book with the scary title Friday the 13th. In the book, Lawson talks about stock frauds that were carried out on Friday the 13th, manipulating the fears and concerns of some people.
A little later, the name of Thomas was called the seven-masted schooner. For a long time the ship did not exist, having fallen into a terrible storm on its first departure from the coast. It happened on Friday. Friday the 13th.
5. Airlines and number 13
If you are planning a vacation and want to save on the purchase of airline tickets, we strongly recommend that you book your departure on the 13th. Any major airline will offer you a 10% discount on tickets on the day of departure. And if the flight falls on Friday the 13th, then you will be provided with a minimum 20% discount on the flight.
All this is due to the fact that a huge number of people ignore the 13th as a day of departure, and airlines are trying to attract at least some buyers with discounts.
4. Who loves the 13th?
Hackers. It was Friday the 13th that became a kind of trigger for all major hacker groups. This day a tremendously high number of attacks on computer systems and virus launches is recorded.
In 1988, a hacker attack erased more than 1000 data from all computers in the world. It is good that this virus did not occur these days, when every citizen of civilized countries has a computer.
3. Marine superstitions
Sailors are known for their superstitions and signs. For example, any layman knows that a woman on a ship is in trouble. It was forbidden to whistle on the deck - it would definitely attract a storm. And it was necessary to step on the deck strictly from the right foot.
Given the great many fears of the sea element, it is not surprising that sailors were afraid on the 13th. And the combination of this date and Friday kept all sailing people at bay.
On Friday, not a single vessel departed from the coast, it was believed that this day of the week was capable of causing trouble to sailors and the ship. The British government once wanted to prove the pointlessness of fear of Friday and the 13th.
By royal order, the ship "Friday" was built. Its construction also began on Friday, the ship was launched on Friday, the ship's first voyage took place ... guess what day of the week?
Since the departure of the ship "Friday" and the crew no one else saw. Until now, the ship and sailors are missing.
2. 13 - always bad?
Not in all countries and not all nations, the number 13 causes associations with something dark. For example, in the Mayan tribes, the 13th number of the calendar, on the contrary, was considered a very auspicious and happy day.
In Spain, there is fear of the 13th, but the Spaniards are not afraid of Fridays. Instead, the terrible day of the country is Tuesday, the 13th.
In a number of Asian countries, the 13th day does not cause any negative, on the contrary, the inhabitants of Asia consider the 13th calendar day to be quite favorable. True, they experience fear of a different number. For example, in Japan, China and Korea, people are panicky afraid of the number “4”, believing that it brings misfortune.
1. Cinema
Now widespread fear of Friday the 13th is supported by modern cinema. A huge number of films on the theme of this day have been shot, which is only worth the franchise of the same name, giving the world books, comics and games about Jason Voorhees.
Jason is a serial killer who comes to life on the day of his death - of course, on Friday the 13th - and begins to kill.
With such films in popular culture, it is not surprising that people continue to feel uncomfortable with the onset of Friday the 13th.