Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Friday the 13th is a date widely considered unlucky or bad luck in Western superstition.
This phenomenon happens when the 13th of the Gregorian calendar coincides with a Friday, a combination that can occur at least once or up to three times a year.
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On average, this happens about every 212.35 days.
The belief in Friday the 13th's bad luck is deeply rooted in Western culture, similar to other superstitions such as encountering black cats or breaking mirrors.
This belief is not simply a modern myth, but is rooted in religious history, ancient legends, and reinforced by popular culture and horror films that have etched this date into the minds of many.
Various historical events and religious narratives have contributed to Friday the 13th's reputation as an unlucky day.
Friday the 13th Myth Origin
The origins of the Friday the 13th myth have no single definitive source, but several theories and historical events are believed to underlie it.
One of the most compelling theories stems from the Last Supper in Christian tradition, at which Jesus Christ and 12 of his disciples were present, making a total of 13 people.
Judas Iscariot, Christ's betrayer, is believed to have been the 13th guest at the meal, which took place on Maundy Thursday, the night before Jesus' crucifixion on Good Friday.
Furthermore, Friday is also associated with a number of negative events in Christian tradition.
Some argue that Jesus was crucified on a Friday, and this day is also said to be the day when Eve gave the forbidden fruit to Adam and when Cain murdered Abel.
Another frequently cited historical event is the arrest of hundreds of Knights Templar by officers of King Philip IV of France on Friday, October 13, 1307.
This powerful religious and military order was imprisoned on charges of various illegal behavior, despite the king's desire for access to their financial resources.
Many Knights Templar were subsequently executed, and some sources cite this event as the origin of the Friday the 13th myth.
Why is Friday the 13th Considered Unlucky?
The combination of Friday and the 13th is considered unlucky because both elements individually already have negative connotations in Western culture.
The number 13 has long been considered unlucky, and Friday also has negative associations in some traditions.
When the two come together, the potential for bad luck is believed to be multiplied.
Several unfortunate events that occur on Friday the 13th further reinforce this belief.
For example, the German bombing of Buckingham Palace in September 1940, the cyclone in Bangladesh in November 1970 that killed more than 300,000 people, and the disappearance of a Chilean Air Force plane in the Andes in October 1972.
Other tragic incidents include the death of rapper Tupac Shakur in September 1996 and the crash of the Costa Concordia cruise ship off the coast of Italy in January 2012, which killed 30 people.
Friday the 13th in Popular Culture
The Friday the 13th myth has inspired numerous works of popular culture, particularly in the film industry.
The "Friday the 13th" horror film franchise, first released in 1980, tells the story of a hockey-masked killer named Jason Voorhees.
The impact of this superstition is also evident in architecture, where more than 80 percent of high-rise buildings in the United States do not have a 13th floor.
Similarly, hotels, hospitals, and even airports avoid using the number 13 on rooms or gates.
Even former US President Franklin D. Roosevelt had a fear of the number 13 and avoided traveling or entertaining 13 guests on that day.