Friday the 13th

When we say or hear someone saying about Friday the 13th, one thing immediately comes to mind, bad luck. Both Friday and the number 13 have been considered unlucky. Friday, being the day when Jesus Christ was crucified and 13, the number of people in the Last Supper of Jesus Christ. Thus Friday the 13th is considered bad luck in a lot of countries around the world such as Austria, Germany, Estonia, Finland, The Netherlands, Belgium, Republic of Ireland, Poland, Bulgaria, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Norway, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, Philippines, and in most English, French, and Portuguese-speaking countries.

Paraskavedekatriaphobia is the fear of Friday the 13th. It derived from Greek words, Paraskevi and dekatreis, meaning Friday and thirteen respectively. While phobia means fear. Friday the 13th is a very widespread superstition. In tall buildings, the 13th floor is ommitted. In a dinner, 13 people seating by the table must be avoided because it is said that the first person who leaves the table will die within a year. It is also common among us not to travel on Friday the 13th because chances are there will be mishap or accidents. In contrast, my trip to the US last year was of all days, Friday the 13th! It was during a peak season and that day was the only day available for us to book. It was quite a journey for me since I was not only traveling to another city but I was actually traveling to another country. Moreover, the fact that it was Friday the 13th, I couldn't help but be afraid. However, prayer is still the best practice, not only when we travel but in everything that we do.