Is Friday the 13th really that unlucky?
We, as Irish people, are often superstitious, whether more or less than other nationalities is up for debate, but our Celtic ancestors were well known to be cautious of the otherworld.
Across the Western world, Friday the 13th is considered an unlucky day; this day generally happens once a year, but it can occur up to three times.
The superstitious nature of Friday the 13th originates from multiple sources, all of which contribute to creating the feelings that we may have surrounding this day.
For many people, the superstitions have an association with Christianity. This relates to Jesus’ Last Supper, where there were thirteen people present, before Good Friday.
There is also an attribution to the Knights Templar, who were arrested en masse on Friday, October 13, in 1307.
Along with this, it is associated with Norse mythology, in which Loki is the 13th guest at a banquet of gods, where he causes a death.
In modern times, popular culture has contributed to our views on this day, with movies like “Friday the 13th” being a horror movie.
In reality, there is very little reason to worry about Friday the 13th for the average person, but for those in business, it does indeed have an impact on profits.
Figures from some Irish airports suggest that fewer passengers travel on Friday the 13th, which is caused by a lack of travel globally on this day.
Along with this, the Irish Wedding Band Association has acknowledged a noticeable decline in weddings on Friday the 13th, as many people avoid getting married on this date.
If you find yourself superstitious this Friday the 13th, it may be beneficial to grab a takeaway and watch the Late Late Show instead.