So today is Friday the 13th which is a really unlu... Oh wait hang on, its Tuesday the 13th not so unlucky then! But there is a fascination with the number 13, lucky for some but unlucky to others. Who decided it was unlucky? Whats the history behind it? Well I am gonna tell you!
Many people believe that the origins of the unluckiness (if that is even a word!) of 13 comes from the Bible, Yes you got it! That little book crops up everywhere we go. There were 13 people at the last supper, Jesus and his 12 apostles. Even now in many countries its considered unlucky to have 13 people at a table. 13 is also the amount of witches you need to make a coven, and it is also the age you are ready to start using witchcraft. I myself am a level 45 warlock/ninja, if you believe that then you will believe anything!
Its thought that a year with 13 full moons will cause many problems, Apparently it was also massive nightmare for the monks who organised the calendars. But in a normal 100 years there are 37 years with 13 full moons I can't see it being that much of a big deal. The Mayan Calendar ends at the 13th Baktun, which many people/morons believe will be the Apocalypse! For Jewish people the number 13 is considered lucky, to which it is argued the unlucky number 13 stems from anti-semitism. On a traditional hangman's noose there are 13 turns, anything less is not strong enough to snap a neck. There is even a medical name for the fear of the number 13 Triskaidekaphobia!
13 has also been tagged with Friday, but why? Again its the bibles fault! Jesus was killed on a Friday, Noah's great floods started on a Friday, even Adam and Eve were tempted to eat the forbidden fruits on a Friday! Many countries have Fridays as there execution day. Friday in general is considered unlucky in many nations and faiths. So I guess two really unlucky things put together makes the mother of all unluckiness (still not sure if that's a real word or not!)!
Also on Friday the 13th of October 1307, King Philip IV of France ordered the arrest of the Knights Templar. He had built up massive debts to them during the crusades. But at the time the crusades were losing popularity so he used this to his advantage. He had them arrested and tortued until they admitted heresy. He then used this to disband the order, thus freeing himself of his debts. The crafty bastard....
There are many more minor reasons why 13 is unlucky but many cultures consider 13 to be lucky. I guess its just one of those things! Seems to me like its been unlucky for most of our history so I suppose it will carry on being unlucky. Just remember its just a number and a day, the more you think bad stuff is going to happen the more it will. Thinks good thoughts and good things will happen, its the best way to be!
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