Readers are urged to watch their step, don’t step under ladders and avoid black cats until midnight.
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Today marks Friday the 13th, or Black Friday, a day that is considered “unlucky” by the superstitious types of people.
So why do people fret on Friday the 13th?
History
It is difficult to track down the origins of Friday the 13th, but it is believed to have begun in the late 19th century.
According to the Time and Date website, the first documented mention of the day was in the biography of Italian composer Gioachino Rossini, who died on a Friday, November 13, 1868.
It is believed the suspicion surrounding the date was fueled by a 1907 book called Friday the Thirteenth, by American Thomas Lawson.
Most common fears
There are numerous well-known superstitions or fears associated with Friday the 13th.
While no-one can rationally explain the fear, here are some of the most common examples (thanks to Live Science):
- Don’t walk under a ladder.
- A black cat crossing your path means bad luck.
- A rabbit’s foot will bring you luck.
- Bad luck comes in threes.
- Knock on wood.
- Make a wish on a wishbone.
- Three sixes in a row brings bad luck.
- Be careful with your mirror.
- Find a penny, pick it up for good luck.
Or perhaps these ones (from International Business Times):
- If you cut your hair on Friday the 13th, someone in your family will die.
- If a funeral procession passes you on Friday the 13th, you will be the next to die.
- Do not start a trip on Friday or you will encounter misfortune.
- If you break a mirror on Friday the 13th, you will have seven years of bad luck.
- A child born on Friday the 13th will be unlucky for life.
- Ships that set sail on a Friday will have bad luck.
- If you walk under a ladder or if a black cat crosses you on Friday the 13th, you will have bad luck.
So stay safe out there today everyone.
Maybe stay in doors and pick out your favourite horror movie?
Joshua Bartlett
A sporting fanatic who is keen to promote all codes in the Illawarra and abroad. Mercury's chief football reporter.
A sporting fanatic who is keen to promote all codes in the Illawarra and abroad. Mercury's chief football reporter.
