I was admitted to the hospital and diagnosed with Type I diabetes on a Friday the 13th. But the rest of the world finds it jinxy for other reasons:
- Religious associations: In Christian tradition, Friday is considered unlucky as it’s believed to be the day of Jesus’ crucifixion. The number 13 is associated with Judas, the 13th guest at the Last Supper who betrayed Jesus.
- Norse mythology: A legend tells of 12 gods dining in Valhalla when Loki, the trickster god, arrived uninvited as the 13th guest, causing chaos.
- Historical events: The arrest of the Knights Templar on Friday, October 13, 1307, is often cited. King Philip IV of France ordered this mass arrest, leading to the order’s eventual dissolution. The Templars were accused of heresy and other crimes, though many historians believe these charges were fabricated. This event added to the day’s ominous reputation.
- Cultural reinforcement: Literature, films, and media have perpetuated the superstition, sometimes making it a self-fulfilling prophecy.
- Triskaidekaphobia: The general fear of the number 13 contributes to the day’s negative associations. The top of the clinical “number phobias,” which include 4 and 666.
