Friday the 13th has a reputation as an unlucky day. Some people avoid travelling, put off important decisions or take extra precautions whenever the date appears on the calendar. Today, 13 November 2026, is the third Friday the 13th of the year, after February and March.
The origin of the belief remains uncertain. However, various myths, religious traditions and cultural references have helped keep it alive to this day.
A fear with its own name
The fear of Friday the 13th is known as paraskevidekatriaphobia or friggatriskaidekaphobia. Both terms describe a fear of this particular date.
Norse mythology
One explanation often linked to the superstition comes from Norse mythology. According to the myth, the god Loki turned up uninvited to a gathering of 12 gods, becoming the 13th guest. His mischief led to the death of Baldr, one of the gods.
The Christian tradition
Another version comes from Christian tradition. According to this, 13 people were present at the Last Supper. Judas Iscariot, who later betrayed Jesus, is traditionally considered the last guest to arrive. The Crucifixion of Jesus took place on a Friday.
Today is Friday the 13th. https://t.co/UfDd5zp8C5
— Pop Base (@PopBase) November 13, 2026
The arrest of the Knights Templar
The arrest of the Knights Templar is also sometimes linked to the date. On Friday, 13 October 1307, King Philip IV of France ordered the arrest of members of the religious military order.
However, none of these stories has been established as the historical starting point of the superstition. Its exact origin remains uncertain.
The number 13 in everyday life
The number 13 has been considered unlucky in some cultures for centuries. One example is the absence of a 13th floor or a room numbered 13 in some hotels and hospitals, although this practice does not apply to all buildings.
From literature to horror films
The superstition has also appeared in literature. Thomas W. Lawson’s novel Friday, the Thirteenth, published in 1907, tells the story of a stockbroker who exploits people’s fear of the date to manipulate the stock market.
Italian composer Gioachino Rossini is also said to have feared Friday the 13th. He died on Friday, 13 November 1868. He was born on 29 February 1792, another unusual date in the calendar.
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— Deadline (@DEADLINE) November 13, 2026
The superstition secured a lasting place in popular entertainment with the 1980 horror film Friday the 13th. The slasher film introduced audiences to Jason Voorhees, who became one of the most recognisable figures in horror cinema.
When is the next Friday the 13th
Today is the last Friday the 13th of 2026. The next one will fall on 13 August 2027.
Every calendar year has at least one Friday the 13th, and no year has more than three.
With information from Eastern Eye
