Friday 13th is here: Why people think it's unlucky and what's the mystery behind it?
What is a superstition?
Friday the 13th: Why Is the Number 13 Seen as Unlucky?
Mystery behind Unlucky Friday
(You can now subscribe to our
(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel
Friday 13th is considered unlucky in Western culture and people believe bad things can happen on this day due to a long-standing superstition. Friday the 13th is widely recognised as an unlucky day, rooted in ancient superstitions about the number 13 and Fridays being unlucky in some cultures.Friday the 13th has long held a place in pop culture, most famously as the title of a popular horror film franchise.This year, some businesses like Krispy Kreme and Chipotle are embracing the spooky date with special food promotions.In comparison, last year featured two Friday the 13ths, while 2026 will have three—falling in February, March, and November.Though its exact origins are unclear, National Geographic Kids notes the superstition surrounding Friday the 13th likely stems from Christian tradition.According to Psychology Today, being superstitious means behaving in a way that is either "based on fear of the unknown and/or faith in magic or luck." Superstitions can be culturally informed, the publication also notes, ranging from the evil eye amulets thought to ward off evil in countries like Turkey to the American notion that wishing on a star will bring good luck while opening an umbrella indoors will usher in misfortune.The belief that the number 13 brings bad luck has been around for centuries. According to the BBC, many trace the superstition back to the Bible—specifically to the Last Supper, where Judas, the disciple who betrayed Jesus, was said to be the 13th guest.A similar legend exists in Norse mythology, where a dinner among the gods was disrupted by an uninvited 13th guest—Loki—who ultimately brought chaos and darkness to the world. Even today, some cultures view 13 dinner guests as a bad omen, going so far as to add a teddy bear to the table as a symbolic 14th guest.The fear of the number 13 runs so deep that many hotels skip 'Room 13,' and high-rise buildings often jump from the 12th to the 14th floor. Even some airlines avoid having a 13th row on their planes.In various traditions, Friday has long been associated with misfortune. According to the Bible, several troubling events took place on a Friday, including the onset of the Great Flood and the moment Adam and Eve committed the first sin.Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, written in the 1300s, also links Friday with "mischance." In historical England, the day was even known as "Hangman's Day"—when executions by hanging were typically carried out.The specific fear surrounding Friday the 13th, however, appears to be a more recent development. An 1834 French literary article noted, "It is always Fridays and the number 13 that bring bad luck."Interestingly, there's even a name for the fear of Friday the 13th: paraskevidekatriaphobia.Despite its ominous reputation in some cultures, Friday holds deep spiritual significance in others. In Islam, Friday is considered the holiest day of the week, while in Judaism, Friday evening ushers in Shabbat—the sacred day of rest.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Wordle July 23: Today's puzzle #1495 leaves players parched — Hints and answer revealed
Understanding Wordle: A Global Word Phenomenon Hints to solve Wordle July 23, 2025 Starting Letter: W Number of Vowels: Two No Double Letters: Confirmed Final Clue: 'Human body is around 60% of this.' Live Events Strategies That Delivered Results Opening With Vowel-Rich Words: Options like 'AISLE' or 'SALTY' allow for efficient vowel placement discovery. Color Logic: Paying close attention to yellow and green cues helps avoid repeating discarded letters. Don't Shy From Repeats: Although not applicable today, prior puzzles have featured duplicate letters. Staying open to that possibility can make or break a streak. How Today's Guesses Unfolded Player Reactions and Difficulty Level Wordle July 23: Why the Answer Matters What Tomorrow's Wordle May Hold FAQs What was the Wordle answer for July 23, 2025? Why was the July 23 Wordle considered challenging? (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The Wordle challenge for July 23, 2025, presented as puzzle #1495 by The New York Times, has sparked a flurry of online chatter as word game enthusiasts wrestled with what initially appeared to be a straightforward five-letter word, only to realize the game's deceptive its acquisition by The New York Times, Wordle has transformed from a viral indie game to a daily ritual for millions. The rules remain simple, players are granted six chances to guess a five-letter word. Visual cues assist with each guess: green signals a correct letter in the right place, yellow marks a correct letter in the wrong spot, and grey denotes a letter not present in the final beneath the simplicity lies a cunning test of logic, pattern recognition, and linguistic intuition. Puzzle #1495 proves why Wordle remains a mental workout and a global those who relied on strategy over guesswork, today's hints provided essential direction, as mentioned in a report by Beebom:While these clues narrowed the field, some players reported multiple close calls before hitting the correct solution—Today's puzzle prompted even veteran players to revisit key strategies. Experts suggest:The Wordlebot, NYT's AI assistant that evaluates and scores daily plays, continues to be a valuable tool for players seeking performance reviews and tactical common guess path included words like 'SALTY,' which revealed useful positioning for 'S' and 'T.' Subsequent trials with 'DINER,' 'POUCH,' and 'HATER' gave partial clues, but not the full picture. The breakthrough came with 'MATER,' leading directly to the final answer, 'WATER.' Many described the experience as 'hydrating' in hindsight—though not without some earlier dry spells of media users rated today's puzzle a modest 3.5 out of 5 on the difficulty scale, citing misleading simplicity. Several noted that the everyday nature of the word made it ironically harder to identify. One player quipped, 'I needed a drink after that—thankfully, the answer was WATER.'The lack of double letters, while initially simplifying, created overconfidence in guesses. The game's final twist lay in the clue referencing human biology— a gentle but clever nudge toward the right selection of 'WATER' as the answer on a mid-July Wednesday may not be random. Some players speculated thematic relevance—July being peak summer in many parts of the world, and hydration being a hot topic in wellness also continues Wordle's tradition of integrating basic vocabulary with real-world connections. This educational slant—wrapped in a casual game—reinforces why Wordle retains its appeal across age groups and puzzle #1496 approaches, speculation is already swirling about what direction NYT may take next. With no discernible pattern to word choices, daily Wordles remain the success of today's clues, especially the final biological hint, has raised expectations for future creative hints that balance accessibility with answer was the word seemed simple, players were misled by its familiarity. Many overthought the solution or ignored basic biology references.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Watch: Coldplay pays emotional tribute to Ozzy Osbourne at Nashville show after his death shocks fans worldwide
— coldplayxtra (@coldplayxtra) Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The world of rock music is mourning the loss of one of its biggest icons. Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary frontman of Black Sabbath, has passed away at the age of 76. He died on Tuesday after battling Parkinson's disease for several whose real name was John Michael Osbourne, was not just a musician, he was a force of nature. Known as the 'Prince of Darkness,' he helped shape heavy metal music and inspired generations of artists. But his softer side came through too, especially in songs like Changes, a 1972 ballad he co-wrote with Black Sabbath a concert in Nashville's Nissan Stadium, Coldplay honoured the late star in the most heartfelt way. They performed a cover of Changes and dedicated their entire show to Ozzy.'We'd like to dedicate this whole show to the incredible genius, talent, and character called gift to the world who was Ozzy Osbourne,' Coldplay frontman Chris Martin told the crowd. 'We send our love to his family.'A fan had already shared a clip of the band rehearsing the song during soundcheck. But the real moment came during the concert when Martin added: 'Ozzy, we love you, wherever you're going.'Less than three weeks before his death, Ozzy had taken the stage one last time at Villa Park in Birmingham. Sitting on a throne, he thanked his fans with tears in his eyes, 'You've no idea how I feel, thank you from the bottom of my heart.'That concert was his grand farewell, with Metallica, Guns N' Roses, and other legends joining in. It was a night fans will never once revealed in his autobiography I Am Ozzy that the song Changes was inspired by the end of guitarist Bill Ward's marriage. The lyrics may have started as personal, but they now carry a deeper singer Yungblud also shared a moving tribute, 'I will never forget you – you'll be in every note I sing and with me every time I walk on stage.'He said Ozzy once asked if he could do anything for him. 'The music was enough,' Yungblud a statement released on 22 July, Ozzy's family said, 'It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family's privacy at this time.'He is survived by his wife Sharon and six children.
Fashion Value Chain
3 hours ago
- Fashion Value Chain
Desi But Make It Fashion: Ethnic Wear Brand Guide
If ethnic wear is your vibe, this is the only guide you need. From college looks to shaadi-ready glam, Indian wardrobes thrive on ethnic staples — but scrolling endlessly for the right brand is exhausting. So, here's your shortcut to the most reliable and stylish ethnic wear labels in India. Sarees – Koskii For timeless elegance, Koskii delivers with gorgeous silks, easy georgettes, and glam sequins — ideal for weddings and big celebrations. Ethnic Kurtas – Rangita Rangita's everyday kurtas are comfort-meets-style. Breezy fabrics, chic prints, and flattering silhouettes? Perfect for office or off-duty days. Anarkalis – Libas Libas' flowy Anarkalis are made for modern-day royalty. Elegant but not overdone, they're great for festive dinners or small gatherings. Indo-Western Fusion – W for Woman Can't decide between Indian and Western? W's experimental cuts—draped skirts, tunics, and layers—strike the perfect fusion balance. Sharara Sets – Biba Biba's shararas are playful yet comfy. Perfect for Diwali parties, mehendis, or when you just want to be the glam vibe in the room.
