Friday the 13th … Should You Be Scared?

I love October. Especially the fright factor. When else can you put blood on your windows and skeletons on your lawn without being arrested? My town takes it to a new level, and sometimes, our streets are truly creepy … enough to make you wonder about the legitimacy of ghosts and goblins. Today being Friday the 13th is adding another layer of spine chilling fun. The boys asked me this morning about the movie bearing today’s date as its name, and I got a little freaked out just thinking about Jason … or was it Freddy? All my worst nightmares from childhood are rolled into one mass murderer at this point.

This made me wonder. Is the day thought to be unlucky because of the movie, or did the movie inspire the superstition?

The movie is based on the superstition. While no one really knows when it started, there is a theory about Jesus dying on a Friday and there being 13 people at his last supper the night before. The number 13 actually has a legitimate phobia, called triskaidekaphobia, but Friday seems to have a bad rap. It is my favorite day!

7 Facts about Friday the 13th:

1. It is estimated $900 million is lost in business revenue on Fridays falling on the 13th of the month because enough people believe it unlucky so they stay home and veg. Fewer people travel on this day.

2. Many countries have studied the rate of accidents on this day and found them to be less, purportedly because again, people staying home.

3. In Hispanic and Greek culture, Tuesday the 13th is unlucky. This makes much more sense to me.

4. In Italian culture, Friday the 17th is considered unlucky. Thirteen traditionally, is a lucky number.

5. Friday the 13th occurs on months starting on a Sunday, and can occur anywhere from 1 – 3 times in a year.

6. The movie was filmed in the woods of NJ, and the campground is still in use, called Camp No-Be-Bo-Sco.

7. There are 11 Friday the 13th movies. If you are going to have a marathon viewing session, start now!