The number 13 has been considered unlucky dating back to at least 1700 B.C. The superstitious fears that surround Friday the 13th, however, likely began with the publishing of a book in 1907 entitled Friday the Thirteenth. Although the book focused solely on a man's attempt to crash the stock market on the 13th of the month - which happened to be a Friday - the concept of Friday the 13th sprouted roots and spread quickly throughout the world. According to Time.com, as much as $800 million is lost in commerce each Friday the 13th due to people's reluctance to travel, conduct business, or in some cases - even leave their homes. In addition to the day being a magnet for all things malevolent, many specific superstitions lurk the shadows of this ominous day.
If you are born on Friday the 13th, you may have bad luck for the rest of your life.
If you're a Paraskevidekatriaphobia, or put more simply, a person who fears Friday the 13th, you may be able to keep yourself safe by simply pulling up the covers and staying in bed. If you happen to be unlucky enough to have been born on Friday the 13th, however, all bets are off. Superstition has it that for those unfortunate souls, bad luck will follow them for the rest of their lives.
Friday the 13th may not be the best day to set sail.
You've heard that loose lips sink ships? Evidently, so does setting sail on Friday the 13th. This superstition is so widely feared that it gave birth to an urban legend all its own. As the legend goes, the British Royal Navy, in an attempt to prove to its sailors that there was nothing to fear by setting sail on Friday the 13th, devised a plan involving the ship, HMS Friday. The crew was hired on a Friday, the captain's last name was Friday, and they launched her maiden voyage on a Friday. Alas, neither the ship nor crew was ever seen again.
Avoid funeral processions or you will be the next to die.
If you cut your hair on Friday the 13th, someone in your family could die.
With many Friday the 13th hazards, you have control over your own destiny. Not when it comes to getting your hair cut, however. If you're careless enough to get your locks trimmed on this dreadful day, superstition claims that someone in your family will die. Before you get any ideas, just keep in mind that you don't get to choose who.
Don't change your bed if you don't want bad dreams to haunt you.
Sources:
Claire Suddath, "A Brief History of Friday the 13th," Time.com
"Naval Friday 13th Myth Unfounded," BBC News
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