Friday the 13th

:There is also a series of Friday the 13th movies, and a TV series called .

Origins

The origin of the Friday the 13th superstition has been linked to the belief that there were 13 people at the last supper of Jesus, who was crucified on Good Friday, but it probably originated only in medieval times. It has also been linked to the fact that a lunisolar calendar must have 13 months in some years, while the solar Gregorian calendar and lunar Islamic calendar always have 12 months in a year. Another suggestion is that the belief originated in a Norse myth about twelve gods having a feast in Valhalla. The mischievous Loki gate-crashed the party as an uninvited 13th guest 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 and the Earth was plunged into darkness and mourning as a result.

Related Topics:
Last supper - Jesus - Crucified - Good Friday - Medieval - Lunisolar calendar - Month - Year - Gregorian calendar - Islamic calendar - Norse myth - God - Valhalla - Loki - Hod - Blind - Balder - Earth - Mourning

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Some also say that the arrest of Jaques de Molay, Grand Master of the Knights Templar, and 60 of his senior knights on Friday, October 13, 1307 by King Philip IV of France, is the origin of this superstition. That day thousands of Templars were arrested and subsequently tortured. They then 'confessed' and were executed. From that day on, Friday the 13th was considered by followers of the Templars as an evil and unlucky day.

Related Topics:
Arrest - Jaques de Molay - Knights Templar - Knight - October 13 - 1307 - King Philip IV - France - Tortured - Evil

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