This Friday Is The 13th! Are You Ready?
Word Count
Reading Level
Listen to Article

American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift may consider 13 her lucky number. However, millions of people worldwide do not share the sentiment. The fear of the number increases to a new level when the date coincides with a Friday — as is the case this week. No one knows how Friday the 13th got its fearsome reputation. But experts have some theories.
Thomas Fernsler, an associate policy scientist at the University of Delaware, thinks 13 is feared because it follows the "perfect" number 12. There are 12 months in a year, 12 hours on a clock face, 12 zodiac signs, 12 tribes of Israel, 12 apostles of Jesus, and so on. Those with triskaidekaphobia — the fear of 13 — perceive the number as incomplete and, therefore, "unlucky."

Donald Dossey, the author of "Holiday Folklore, Phobias, and Fun," has a different explanation. He thinks 13's bad reputation stems from when the Vikings lived in Scandinavia. According to a popular legend, twelve gods were enjoying a peaceful dinner at their mythological heaven, Valhalla, when Loki crashed the party. The Norse god purportedly instigated Hoder — the blind god of darkness — to kill Balder, the god of joy and gladness. To this day, many people avoid having 13 guests at a party. In France, some businesses even "rent" a 14th dinner guest, or quatorzieme.
The fear of Friday can also be credited to religion. According to the Bible, Jesus was crucified on a Friday. The date is not believed to be the 13th. However, it happened after the Last Supper, which was attended by 13 men, including Judas Iscariot, the apostle that betrayed Jesus. Many biblical scholars also believe that Eve tempted Adam with the forbidden fruit on a Friday. The only historical event believed to have occurred on Friday the 13th is when Adam and Eve's son Cain killed his brother, Abel.

Regardless of the reason, the fear of Friday the 13th is widespread. Experts estimate that over 20 million Americans, and scores more worldwide, suffer from "friggatriskaidekaphobia" or "paraskevidekatriaphobia." Their symptoms range from mild anxiety to a nagging fear that something terrible will happen. Some even experience full-blown panic attacks. Ironically, a 2008 study by the Dutch Centre for Insurance Statistics revealed that fewer traffic accidents occur on Friday the 13th than on other Fridays. Reports of fire and theft also dropped.
Given the rampant fear, it should be no surprise that Friday the 13th hurts the US economy. Businesses lose an estimated $900 million on the dreaded day as the superstitious avoid going to work, traveling, or making big purchases. Many companies try to curb the losses by offering deals. So, enjoy 2022's only Friday the 13th by treating yourself to a bargain or two.
Happy Friday The 13th
Resources: ibtimes.com, wikipedia.org, businessinsider.com, Nationalgeographic.com

Get the Workbook for this article!
Workbook contains: Article, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking Questions, Vocabulary in Context (+ answers), Multiple Choice Quiz (+ answers), Parts of Speech Quiz (+ answers), Vocabulary Game (+ answers)Cite Article
Learn Keywords in this Article
145 Comments
- argentinaisbes10 daysI don't know why people are trying to scare me its not A UNLUCKY DAY I don't believe that Friday the 13th is unlucky I don't think it even existed.
- laurynm19 daysITS REALLY GOOD AND NOT SCREDE
- adroit_avimimus7 monthsStay Calm and Don't Worry! The 13th isn't bad at all!
- saisp0966 monthsI agree it's not scary stop being little babies
- bluepup6518 monthsLol, I don't believe in that, it's just the same as other Fridays, why is it specifically 13th? Why not 21th? Or 17th? And so on. I never had anything bad happen on Friday 13th, nor has any of my entire family, including cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and so forth. I honestly didn't notice any difference in Friday 13th, and didn't know this happens until I read this. But if others want to think that, I say "good luck." Bye!
- brp8 monthsfriday the 13th is not scary. its in your mind . my cousin was so scared that when friday the 13th came she was being overcousious and was too busy to know that there was a ditch right by her. lol she is now in an ancle brace
- lonewolf658 months13 is not even its just the internet is brainwashing ppl
- axolique8 monthsWasn't there a serial killer or something associated with Friday the 13th?
- hermionerules8 monthsYes there was. His name is jason
- dsho91478 monthsCool article,but due to me being Taylor swift my lucky number is 13
- ans1238 monthscool
- bugbuglo9 monthsI was a Brave person on Friday the 13th.