June 13, 2025
People start to make references to it being unlucky without saying why they think it’s unlucky. And because of that, typically what you get is all kinds of wild theories about why Friday the 13th is unlucky.
Folklore specialist at the American Folklife Center of The Library of Congress, Stephen Winick, discussing the myriad of folk tales deeming Friday the 13th as unlucky. Despite common belief, the concept of it being an unlucky day only emerged about 100 years ago, and its origins remain murky at best.
What To Know: Historians can only speculate why the notion of an unlucky Friday the 13th originally developed. At points in history, Christian tradition may have believed Friday to be unlucky due to the idea that Jesus was crucified on a Friday. Separately, in early tarot decks, the Death card was number 13. Additionally, the number 12 has been considered mathematically significant in recent centuries, and the subsequent 13 does not hold much versatility in math.
So while the combination of an unlucky 13 and Friday might newer, the separate ideas of them being unlucky date back centuries.
Read More: The possible origins of Friday the 13th and other unlucky days (NPR)
On the Possible Origins of Friday the Thirteenth: Metafolklore, Fear, and Fun (LOC)
Photo Credit: The Last Supper / LOC
by Emily Hooker, based in Texas
