CorpComms Magazine

Today sees the coincidence of two normally innocuous things, the number 13 and Friday. Both of which combined mean a great deal of agitation for superstitious types.

 

But I love Fridays! 

So do I, normally... but put it on the 13th and it's a bad omen.

 

Pah. Whatever! 

Be sceptical all you like my friend but Fridays have been unlucky since medieval times. It is considered bad luck to start anything new on a Friday (such as moving house, a new business project, or a marriage). 

 

Why is it considered bad luck?

It might be linked to fact that in the UK, Friday was reserved for public hangings.

 

What about the number 13? What's unlucky about that?

The number is linked to untimely deaths. There are supposedly 13 steps up to the gallows, 13 knots in a hangman's noose, a guillotine blade falls 13 feet and the tarot card representing death is guess what?

 

Number 13

Yes.

 

Any other 13-related nasties?

Yes. In Christianity there were 13 people at the Last Supper. And the thirteenth person at the table  was Judas.

 

Traitor!

Yes.

 

But is anyone really frightened by Friday 13th?

One study has claimed that up to 21 million people in the United States are affected by Friday 13th phobia. It even has its own name friggatrishtkaidekaphobia.

 

That sounds ridiculous. Where's the evidence? 

Empirically it might actually be the opposite. There is some evidence that states that fewer fires and accidents are reported on this day because people stay at home or are generally more careful.