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 | Lancashire Times A Voice of the Free Press |
Jan Harris
Deputy Group Editor
3:00 AM 13th May 2022
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The Next Friday The 13th Is TODAY
image by Denis Skley
A Friday falling on the 13th of the month happens at least once a year but can happen up to three times in one year.
It is a recognised fact that some people just expect something bad to happen on Friday the 13th. Airline ticket prices are supposed to drop and some bosses skip or cancel meetings that are held on that day.
How often does the 13th fall on a Friday?
2020 - March and November
2021 - August
2022 - May
2023 - January and October
2024 - September and December
2025 - June
2020 - March and November
2021 - August
2022 - May
2023 - January and October
2024 - September and December
2025 - June
Origins of Friday the 13th
Many people believe that FRIDAY 13TH is unlucky because Judas in the Bible who betrayed Jesus is thought to be the 13th guest to sit down at the Last Supper and Jesus was crucified on a Friday.
Image by minorthreadsco from Pixabay
Why is 13 unlucky?
The number 13 is considered unlucky by people who are superstitious. You will often find there is never a room 13 in hotels and lots of buildings don’t have a 13th floor. Most people avoid getting married on the 13th or even buy a house or make decisions on the 13th. It is also considered unlucky to have thirteen guests at a table.
In comparison Chinese people consider the number 13 to be lucky.
Facts about the number 13
In Greek mythology, Zeus was the thirteenth and the most powerful god.
Triskaidekaphobia is the fear of Friday the 13th
There are approximately 13 cycles of the moon each year
There are 13 cards in each suit in a standard deck of playing cards
The four seasons each have 13 weeks
Children become teenagers at age 13
Aluminum has an atomic number of 13
Apollo 13 had a successful landing on the moon and return to earth, despite an onboard explosion
In Greek mythology, Zeus was the thirteenth and the most powerful god.
Triskaidekaphobia is the fear of Friday the 13th
There are approximately 13 cycles of the moon each year
There are 13 cards in each suit in a standard deck of playing cards
The four seasons each have 13 weeks
Children become teenagers at age 13
Aluminum has an atomic number of 13
Apollo 13 had a successful landing on the moon and return to earth, despite an onboard explosion
Image by KERBSTONE from Pixabay
Some common superstitions in the UK
Breaking a mirror
Walking under a ladder
Throwing salt over your shoulder after spilling it
Putting new shoes on the table
Opening an umbrella indoors
Crossing your fingers
Letting a black cat cross your path
Avoiding the number 13
Bad luck comes in threes
Knock on wood
Breaking a mirror
Walking under a ladder
Throwing salt over your shoulder after spilling it
Putting new shoes on the table
Opening an umbrella indoors
Crossing your fingers
Letting a black cat cross your path
Avoiding the number 13
Bad luck comes in threes
Knock on wood
Are black cats lucky or unlucky?
Image by Mary Pahlke from Pixabay
When a black cat crosses your path, do you cross yourself or count your blessings? This will depend on whether you are superstitious, or whether you're a cat lover or not.
Phobias about other numbers
Number 4 in China, Taiwan, Singapore, Japan, Korea and Vietnam
Number 17 in Italy
Number 39 in Afghanistan
What is a good number?
The number 12 in western cultures is considered to be a good number as it is associated with completeness.
Some facts about the number 12:
12 days of Christmas
12 months in the year
12 signs of the zodiac
12 tribes of Israel
In the Bible Jacob had 12 sons
12 gods of Olympus
12 is how many are in a dozen
A gross is 12 dozen
Jesus had twelve disciples
12 hours in the face of an analogue clock
12 inches in a foot
A group of twelve things is called a Duodecad
12 days of Christmas
12 months in the year
12 signs of the zodiac
12 tribes of Israel
In the Bible Jacob had 12 sons
12 gods of Olympus
12 is how many are in a dozen
A gross is 12 dozen
Jesus had twelve disciples
12 hours in the face of an analogue clock
12 inches in a foot
A group of twelve things is called a Duodecad