Paraskevidekatriaphobia, from the Greek “Friday” and “Thirteen” is the “morbid, irrational fear of Friday the 13th”. No, we’re not making this up.
Studies and statistics addressing the unluckiness of this date actually exist, but they’re conflicting. And so far, they only appear to address traffic accidents. A 1993 study published in the British Medical Journal indicates “[t]here were consistently and significantly fewer vehicles on the southern section of the M25 on Friday the 13th compared with Friday the 6th. The numbers of shoppers were not significantly different on the two days. Admissions due to transport accidents were significantly increased on Friday 13th (total 65 v 45; p < 0.05).” Conclusion? “The risk of hospital admission as a result of a transport accident may be increased by as much as 52%. Staying at home is recommended.” However, in the last two years, Dutch insurers received reports of an average 7,800 traffic accidents each Friday; but the average figure when the 13th fell on a Friday was just 7,500. Are Dutch drivers safer? More superstitious, and therefore more likely to stay at home?
Whether or not this date actually portends ill luck, fears about the 13th are widespread in the USA. Per therapist Dr. Donald Dossey, up to 8% of Americans suffer from paraskevidekatriaphobia. A 1990 Gallup poll put the number at 9%, and a 2000 survey by American Demographics put it at 13%. This is particularly unfortunate as each year can contain up to three Friday the 13ths – any month’s 13th day will fall on a Friday if the month starts on a Sunday.
Ancient cultures hold many beliefs about the number 13. The Chinese, Egyptians, Indians, and even Vikings all held the number as unlucky, while indigenous matriarchal cultures may have exalted it because there are 13 lunar cycles in a year. 13 guests were present at the Last Supper leading up to Christ’s crucifixion. Today, many buildings lack a 13th floor in name, although of course it still exists in reality! And About.com points out that Jack the Ripper, Charles Manson, Jeffrey Dahmer, Theodore Bundy and Albert De Salvo all have 13 letters in their names.
Does Friday the 13th make you nervous? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
*guest blog post by Stephanie