Why are people afraid of Friday the 13th?
Fear of Friday. This fear is the result of the fusion of two superstitions: an unlucky Friday and the ominous number 13.

Friday - the day of crucifixions and bad luck?
In the Christian tradition, it is believed that it was on Friday that Jesus Christ was crucified. Also, according to legend, it was on Friday that Eve gave Adam the forbidden fruit. This alone was enough for the day to become associated with misfortune.

Why 13?
The number 13 has been considered "superfluous" since time immemorial. For example, in ancient Greek and Scandinavian mythology, 12 gods sat at feasts, and the appearance of the 13th led to tragedies. Even today, hotels often do not have a 13th floor, and airplanes do not have a 13th row.

A bit of history
One of the most popular theories is connected with the Knights Templar. On October 13, 1307 (Friday), by order of the King of France Philip IV, mass arrests and executions of knights began. This date is considered one of the first Fridays, the 13th, with a bloody history.

What do psychologists say?
Psychologists believe that fear of Friday the 13th is an example of cognitive distortion. When a person believes in the bad, he begins to notice only the bad. This is called the confirmation effect. On a normal Friday, he would not pay attention to a broken cup, but on the 13th, he will definitely think: “Well, here it goes!”

Or maybe it's just a lucky day?
In many cultures, 13 is considered a lucky number. For example, in Italy and China, the number 13 does not have a negative connotation. Some even deliberately make deals or get married on this day - despite superstitions.

What to do on Friday the 13th?
Don't panic.
Don't blame the calendar for your own failures.
Smile and give yourself an "anti-superstition day."
If something goes wrong, blame your actions, not the number.