What will you be doing today, on a day considered by many to be one of the unluckiest days of the year, simply because it's the 13th and it falls on Friday?
The fear of Friday the 13th actually has a name: paraskavedekatriophobia. (Try saying that five times fast. Heck. Try saying it one time fast. Or slow.) Some people are so paralyzed by this fear they can't get out of bed when Friday the 13th rolls around. According to Wikipedia, more than 17 million people (according to the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute) are affected by a fear of this day.
But did you know that in some cultures, it's Tuesday the 13th that's considered unlucky, most notably Greek and Spanish cultures?
One of the traditional "historical" events cited as the beginning of this fear dates back to the year 1307 when many Knight Templars were simultaneously arrested by order of King Phillip IV. But closer examination suggests that the association of Friday and 13 as bad luck is actually an invention from the early 1900s.
Still, I think I won't tempt fate by walking under any ladders today...
"One never knows what each day is going to bring. The important thing is to be openand ready for it." ~Henry Moore
I believe I have wandered over before, (what a lovely site you have) but today you lure me with the offer of a free download.
ReplyDeleteoh baby.
JessicaDanielle2000@hotmail.com
Hi, Sherrill :)
ReplyDeleteToday, I'm at work, and things have been a little weird... so I'm going to blame it on Friday the 13th, lol
Hi Sherrill,
ReplyDeleteI just got back from work. Its being a long day for me. But on the other hand, lucky for me because normally I'm already in bed! But I checked my emails instead. Its 1:30 am of the 14th! I'm going to toddle off to bed after my shower.
tamsyn5@yahoo.com
Friday the 13th is a lucky day for me Our first child was born on Friday 13th, so we've celebrated ever since!! Hehe!! Some very interesting stuff in that article and nope....I wouldn't even try to pronounce that word...hehe!!!
ReplyDeleteValerie
Hey, Jessica! Nice of you to stop in again. Have a good one! :)
ReplyDeleteHi, Ali. All sorts of weirdness happens at work, and I don't think it has anything to do with it being Friday the 13th. It has something to do with people... LOL
ReplyDeletePollyanna, thank you so much for stopping by before you went to bed. Hope you have a good sleep and a terrific weekend!
ReplyDeleteValerie, well, happy birthday to your kid. What a great thing to have happen on a Friday the 13th. :)
ReplyDeleteWhere do they come up with these names? I haven't had a bad day yet..knocking on wood...but then again I'm not suspicious!!!LOL
ReplyDelete13 has always been my lucky number, dear lady :-)
ReplyDeleteI hope all is well, I'm still alive!
The reports of my demise have been seriously exagerated. lol
Some very interesting facts indeed! As far as bad luck went couldn't concentrait worth a bean on work and it hailed for about 10mins. But lucky for us the surrounding area got for longer though I still felt it in my bones.
ReplyDeleteSo overall a 50/50 day for me.
Stephanie
Stephanie, I'm like you. Knock on wood just in case... LOL
ReplyDeleteHey, Sam. Good to see you. Hope you're doing all right. :)
ReplyDeleteStephanie--hail?!? Yikes! Well, at least it was only a few minutes, right?
ReplyDeleteHi Sherril,
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to say that you do good works, and I am anxiously awaiting Keiron's story. So write faster.
Didn't do it on purpose, but spent Friday the 13th in bed....combination of depression and new medications for same, so at least I didn't have to worry about ladders or black cats, as none are in my house, let alone bedroom! Today is a tad better, but man, I wish there was a magic pill/bullet for depression!
ReplyDeleteLOL Faymas. I'm writing as fast as I can. And I'm glad you're enjoying the story. :)
ReplyDeleteAmy, I'm so sorry to hear that. Hope you feel better soon, hon.
ReplyDelete