The mystery of Friday the 13th

Today is the 13th of Friday and I hope that you are not actually having a very unlucky day. They myth has been around for years and it makes me wonder how it all started.

Back in history, there are several occasions why people regard Friday the 13th as a very unlucky day. It is rooted in ancient history that combines the two unlucky entities - Friday and the number 13.

Back in the Norse days, there were 12 gods in a dinner party. The 13th guest, an uninvited one, went to the place to kill one of the gods. After doing so, the whole Earth mourned.

In the Bible, Judas is the apostle who betrayed Jesus by selling him out for a couple of silver coins. Judas is the 13th guest.

On a particular bad Friday the 13th, in the middle ages, King Philip of France arrested the Knights Templar and tortured them. This happened on Friday the 13th, 1306. In the Roman empire, witches gathered in groups of 12 and the 13th was believed to be the devil himself. British tradition also shows that the number 13 is closely associated with capital punishment. During public hangings, there are 13 steps leading to the noose.

In order for people to avoid the bad luck of Friday and the number 13, most buildings that are constructed do not have the 13th floor. Airports often skip the 13th gate and airlines do not have a 13th aisle. Most of the hospitals and hotels do not have a room number 13. Italians often omit the number 13 in their lottery. Cities do not have a 13th street or a 13th avenue. And there many more things that people do to avoid these two entities.

I am not usually a very superstitious person as compared to my elders. But, I do believe that destiny is a very playful entity. If you do not play it well, it will strike you at any given day and not just Friday the 13th.