Guest guest Posted February 13, 2004 Report Share Posted February 13, 2004 A cute (and accurate) story by Jaspreet Nijher of the Times of India: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2004 - It's fear is so bad that a term has been coined for it. Call it superstition or what you will, but today is the unluckiest day in the calendar for "friggatriskaidekaphobes" -- those possessed with a fear or phobia of Friday the thirteenth! Today's thus the day ... As superstition has it that Friday the 13th is an unlucky day, especially since numerology considers both the numbers '1' and '3' to be unlucky. When in conjunction, '1' and '3' spell double trouble. So what is it about the devil's dozen', as the Scottish call it, which pretends an evil omen? Largely, its origins are biblical. Folklore has it that thirteen disciples gathered for supper on the night of the renowned 'Last Supper' with Jesus, even as Jesus had instructed the seating of only twelve. As they sat and ate, Jesus prophesied that one of them who ate with him would betray him. Since the infamous betrayal of Judas Iscariot, we are in morbid fear of the date and day! Another myth goes back to the Garden of Eden. It was on a Friday, supposedly, that Eve tempted Adam with the forbidden fruit. And look what has become of the world today! For the 'non-believers', for all the infamy of Friday the 13th, there are examples of good fortune. In pagan times, Friday was the day of the love goddess; many actors sign contracts only on Friday because it brings good luck; Charles Dickens began writing all his books on a Friday. But in today's time, so deep-rooted remains the fear of '13' that hotels take care not to have a storey or suite suffixed by those dreaded digits. What is more compelling a fear is if the 13th day of the month falls on a Friday. Courting, and especially marriage, on Friday is regarded a folly. If moving to a new home or new job on that fateful day ... do be careful. Throughout the Western world people are still found numbering their houses '12 1/2', to avoid living in number 13. Even in so logical an institution as a hospital, at times, operation theatres are not numbered 13! A combination of this day - Friday - and number - 13 - holds special significance for many. But should it? "Whether or not one considers Friday the 13th as unlucky, it is important to understand that superstitions stem from beliefs man uses to protect himself from events beyond his control," analyses a psychiatrist. Simply put, today's beliefs might well become tomorrow's superstitions. Until then, however, don't step on a crack... after all, today is Friday the 13th! URL: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow/49 3982.cms Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.