Like many superstitions, Friday The 13th too enjoys it's own special place in the league of superstitions. The fear of this superstition is such that it occupies a strong place in history. Generally a Friday occurring on the 13th of any month is considered to be unlucky in many English speaking countries across the globe. The fear of Friday the 13th stems from two separate fears- fear of the number 13 and fear of the day, Friday.



Christians have traditionally been wary of Fridays as it led to the belief that there were 13 people present in the The Last Supper of Jesus Christ, though no evidence was found as such specially till the 19th century. Another belief is also linked to the fact that Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit on Friday and the Great Flood also began on Friday. Another belief originated in the Norse myth of 12 Gods having a feast in the hall of the Sea God, Aegir. The mischievous God Loki, gatecrashed the part and arranged for Hod, the blind God of darkness to throw a branch of mistletoe at Balder, the God of joy and gladness. Balder was killed instantly, plunging the Earth into darkness and sorrow. The first explanation of 13 people, at the same table is likely to be more relevant as seen at the end of the 18th century B.C. It is said that the first person to rise from the table would be the first person to die.

Strangely enough, there is evidence to support that some people are actually unlucky on the 13th of Friday. Psychologists feel that people are more likely to meet with accidents and fall sick on the 13th, most probably resulting from a heightened sense of awareness and anxiety. Even a small minor incident, just coinciding to pure miscalculation or miscommunication is blamed on the unlucky day and number if it manages to fall on that day. With a reputation of such famous origins, it is hardly surprising that the unluckiness of this date and number have led to an overflow of horror related incidents... mainly movies and books.

So, what is it to be ? What do you have in your cards if you don't heed the warning on Friday the 13th ? Is it going to be a chainsaw massacre or is it going to be something really simple like your car stalling when you have got an important presentation for the boss ? Are you willing to push your luck on this day... or you are going to throw caution to the winds and do what you feel like ! It is very easy to say that scientifically we have progressed so much but when it comes to heeding simple warnings... our otherwise calm rationing power goes for a toss and our brain goes into a frenzy. We think the worst possible scenario heading our way and by sheer coincidence, if something at all goes wrong... our mind knows no peace !

In spite of it's ill-fated reputation, Friday the 13th is also a great day to play pranks. Just think of some great ones and try them out on your unsuspecting victims... but be sure that they are absolutely harmless. Enjoy 'horror-i-fically, have a great time and just don't push your luck too hard... You never know what's waiting for you in the next corner !