Dark history behind Friday the 13th and why it's deemed so unlucky

Dark history behind Friday the 13th and why it's deemed so unlucky Friday the 13th is considered one of the unluckiest days of the year, but where did this superstition originate? We explore the surprising history behind this infamous date Millions of people still feel a genuine jolt of unease when Friday the 13th rolls around – cancelling plans, avoiding travel, or quietly thinking twice before taking a risk. However, most of us would struggle to explain where the superstition actually comes from. For many, the fear is less about history and more about habit. It's something picked up from family warnings, playground myths, social media jokes and decades of horror-film shorthand. However, the origins are far murkier than most people realise. Confused by the tradition, one X user asked: "Can someone tell me why Friday the 13th is unlucky? Because Friday and the number 13 are both especially lucky in Judaism, what meaning do they hold for Christianity?" Another shared the same bewilderment, quipping: "Why is Friday the 13th deemed so unlucky? I would think Monday the 13th is a far more dastardly day!" So, to get to the bottom of why this date still sends shivers down our spines, historians and folklorists have traced its eerie origins through the ages. Here's what you need to know. Biblical beliefs The sinister associations of Friday the 13th are said to stretch all the way back to Jesus Christ and the Last Supper. The biblical gathering was attended by 13 people – Jesus and his disciples. The very next day, on Good Friday, Jesus was crucified. According to legend, the number 13 has long been linked with Judas, who betrayed Christ before the crucifixion. He is considered the imperfect 13, in contrast to 12, which symbolises the months in a year. Steve Roud, author of The Penguin Guide to the Superstitions of Britain and Ireland, previously told the BBC: "Because Friday was the day of the crucifixion, Fridays were always regarded as a day of penance and abstinence. This religious belief spilled over into a general dislike of starting anything – or doing anything important – on a Friday." Folklorist Anne Marie Lagram suggests theories behind the "unlucky 13" include the number of individuals present at the Last Supper or the number of witches required to form a coven. The author said the Victorians were the first to connect the dots, adding: "They were intrigued by folklore and put Friday and 13 together and created a doubly unlucky day." Ensure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings. Knights Templar theory For other historians, the origin of the Friday the 13th curse can be traced to a particular blood-soaked date in the Middle Ages – Friday, October 13, 1307. On this day, France's King Philip IV ordered the sudden and violent arrest of hundreds of the Knights Templar – a powerful, wealthy, and secretive order of Catholic military crusaders. The knights were ambushed and seized over shocking, entirely fabricated allegations, including claims that new recruits were being forced to spit on the cross and deny Christ. In reality, these baseless accusations were remarkably convenient for the heavily indebted King Philip. By persecuting the wealthy order, he seized their enormous assets and cleared the staggering debts he owed them after his costly wars with England. The captured knights were tortured into false confessions, and many were later burned at the stake. This story continues to haunt people centuries on. Norse mythology The fear surrounding the number 13 reaches even deeper into ancient Norse mythology. According to folklore historians, the sinister association originates from a myth about a divine dinner party held in Valhalla. The story says twelve gods were invited to the harmonious feast, but the trickster god Loki gatecrashed the gathering uninvited, becoming the 13th guest. True to his disruptive character, Loki orchestrated a savage murder. He wickedly deceived Hodr, the blind god of winter, into shooting his own brother, Balder the Good, with a magical spear tipped with mistletoe – the only material capable of harming him. Balder's heartbreaking death cast the world into darkness and grief, permanently marking the number 13 as a symbol of catastrophe, treachery, and bad luck.