Friday, November 13, 2009

Friday the 13th Phobia?

Henry Ford would of hated 2009, and not just because it's been a tough year to sell cars. Ford as the story goes, refussed to do business on Friday the 13th, and this week marks the third time this year that the 13th will fall on a Friday, the most times it can happen in one year.

It's a day when people rearrange travel plans, delay surgery or just pull up the covers and stay in bed until its Saturday the 14th, convinced that even stepping out of the house would cause bad luck. They are afraid something tragic or ominous might happen. The phobia around the 13th is a cousin to triskaidekaphobia, the fear of number 13

The supposedly unlucky number, is the reason behind the explosion of Apollo 13, which took off at exactly 1:13 p.m. (1313 military time) on 4/11/70 (digits that add up to 13, naturally. It's the number that prompted FDR to alter his own travel plans on any day of the week that landed on th 13th, in a final act FDR died in 1945 on April 12, Thursday, day before the 13th. The origins of all the fear of the number 13 and Friday the 13th are open for debate.

Some say it has to do with a particular Friday the 13th in the 1300s, when some particular unlucky knights were burned at the stake. It may have something to do with Jesus Christ, who was crucified on a Friday after a Last Supper attended by 13 people one of whom was Judas Iscariot.
By Don Babwin====Associated Press Writer

My lucky number is 13, I am not affraid of anything associated with this number. I do feel for those that have any phobia associated with this number when it falls on a Friday.

12 comments:

Patty said...

I'm with you, Friday the 13th is like any other Friday. I've never been superstitious. Just like so many old wives tales, that some people still believe to be true. Have a good week-end. We've been having some beautiful, sunny, fairly warm days, I guess this is our Indian Summer.

Cottage Rose said...

I have to agree with you about all the hubbub... But I must say all the stories we hear and read do make it very interesting... Loved learning some of the history surrounding it,, hope you have a great weekend... in case any one wants to know,, my day was beautiful,, even went out for a walk.... lol
Hugs;
Alaura

A New Beginning said...

Thanks for the interesting post! Superstitions wioll always be superstitions.
Thanks and have a great weekend Margaret!

Merle said...

Dear Margaret ~~ Great posts for the Veteran's Tribute and for Friday the 13th. It doesn't worry me at all, My mothers birthday was on the 13th, also my stepmothers. One announcer on the radio went on and on and on on the Thursday about all the dire things that could happen, but on the Friday it was hardly mentioned. And no major things came to pass. Congratulations on the word I had never heard of before -- Triskaidekaphobia - fear of the 13th.

Thanks for leaving your comments - the sad story
of the girl killed by drunk driver. We are good girls? Margaret we didn't get the psycho test
right. One of my bloggers did, so he is on his last chance!!
Take care, my friend and enjoy the rest of the weekend. Christmas is getting so close.
Love and Hugs, Merle.

Kay said...

My family is full of birthdays that fall on the 13th. My son, husband, nephew, sister-in-law all have birthdays on the 13th. In fact, it's my sister-in-law's birthday today. She had a great day. Let's keep smiling on the 13th.

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

Loved the post, most interesting, I personally don't mind Friday the 13th......like any other day.
Have a good week-end.

Yvonne.

Kathleen said...

oh! Friday the 13th passed and I didn't even notice it! I guess the superstitious stuff might not apply, unless we pay attention to it.

Gigi Ann said...

I am not a superstitious person. Never was and never will be. I think all that superstitious stuff is a bunch of foolishness.

Just a little side thought, my husband and I had our first date on Friday, December 13, 1957. We have been married 51 years.

Puss-in-Boots said...

I didn't even realise it was the 13th on Friday until about lunch time. It's just another day to me...

Bhavesh Chhatbar said...

Like you, my luckly number is also 13, if I do believe in lucky numbers any time. And you know, it's My Birthday too. This year, it was on Friday, the 13th! And it was a beautiful day :)

Linda said...

I am not at all superstitious and it's just another day to me as well. As usual, you provide interesting tidbits of information and I enjoy your posts! :)

Hope you have a great week,
Linda

Becky said...

What an interesting post Margaret! Some of these facts I have never heard. I am not superstitious, and see Friday the 13th as just another day. I really enjoy reading your blog!
B.

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