Fridays will always be a personal favorite, even with a 13th attached to it. Nothing bad for me has ever been associated with the day, except in the movies. In fact, I’ve often found it to be auspicious – a good omen. I had to consult Wikipedia for an explanation on it’s spooky origin, noting that the irrational fear of the number 13 has been given a scientific name: “triskaidekaphobia”, while Friday the 13th is called paraskevidekatriaphobia from the Greek words Paraskeví (Friday) and dekatreís (13th). 

“According to folklore historian Donald Dossey, the unlucky nature of the number “13” originated with a Norse myth about 12 gods having a dinner party in Valhalla. The trickster god Loki, who was not invited, arrived as the 13th guest, and arranged for Höðr to shoot Balder with a mistletoe-tipped arrow.” I was not there – were you?

“The superstition may have also arisen in the Middle Ages, “originating from the story of Jesus’ last supper and crucifixion” in which there were 13 individuals present in the Upper Room on the 13th of Nisan Maundy Thursday, the night before his death on Good Friday.” I missed this occasion, as well. 

“While there is evidence of both Friday and the number 13 being considered unlucky, there is no record of the two items being referred to as especially unlucky in conjunction before the 19th century.”

The Spaniards and Greeks consider Tuesday the 13th to be unlucky, while the Italians worry about Friday the 17th. It only goes to prove that any day can be bad given a preconceived perception. I consider Friday the 13th to be a good day even in these pandemic times.