Today is ‘Friday the 13th’: Here are the myths, history, and horror behind the world’s most feared date
Friday the 13th is feared for its perceived bad luck, rooted in Norse mythology, Christian beliefs, and modern pop culture. The superstition grew after a 1907 novel and was cemented by the iconic Friday the 13th horror film franchise
Hyderabad: Legend has it that the 13th falling on a Friday is an unlucky day. But if you ask why, you’re unlikely to find just one answer.
Many cultures have historically considered 12 a “complete” number due to 12 months in a year, 12 zodiac signs, 12 hours on a clock, 12 apostles, and so on. The number 13 disrupts this harmony and is often viewed as irregular or ominous. Some buildings even skip labeling the 13th floor due to this fear, known as “triskaidekaphobia“.
In Christianity, Friday is traditionally seen as an unlucky day. It is believed that Jesus was crucified on a Friday, and some biblical scholars say that Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit on a Friday.
Among the many theories, the most popular version comes from Norse mythology — a form of North Germanic folklore. According to legend, twelve gods were having a dinner party when the trickster god Loki, who wasn’t invited, arrived as the 13th guest and caused chaos. It is believed that one of the gods was killed and the Earth was plunged into darkness. This gave rise to the association of the number 13 with misfortune.
While 13 was already considered unlucky, Friday also carried a similar ominous reputation. Over time, the combination of the two came to be seen as especially unlucky.
Friday the 13th occurs in any month that begins on a Sunday. This happens at least once every year and can occur up to three times in the same year. For instance, like this year (2025), 2021 and 2022 each had only one Friday the 13th, while 2023 and 2024 had two such Fridays each.
The superstition gained widespread popularity after the publication of T.W. Lawson’s novel Friday, the Thirteenth in 1907. In the book, an unscrupulous stockbroker exploits the superstition to trigger a panic on Wall Street.
The myth was further cemented by the Friday the 13th film franchise, which began in the 1980s. With a total of twelve movies, the franchise contributed heavily to the eerie reputation of the date.
Considered one of the most iconic horror series, these slasher films revolve around the infamous character Jason Voorhees and have left a lasting imprint on pop culture.