Friggatriskaidekaphobia: the fear of Friday the 13th is the most widespread superstition in the United States today.
Paraskevidekatriaphobics are people afflicted with a morbid, irrational fear of Friday the 13th. It is estimated that this affects between 17 and 21 million Americans. Some people won’t get out of bed; others won’t fly, buy a house or act on a hot stock tip. Still others won’t work, eat in restaurants or get married on a Friday the 13th. This superstition seemingly began in the 19th century.
Many cities have no 13th Avenue or 13th Street, and many buildings don’t have a 13th floor. 13 letters in a name are referred to as “devil’s luck”… just think of Jack the Ripper, Charles Manson, Jeffrey Dahmer and Theodore Bundy. 13 witches comprise a coven. A Norse myth tells of mischievous Loki joining the party as the 13th guest, and Judas was the 13th at the table at the Last Supper. Christians also held Friday as unlucky due to the crucifixion of Jesus.
The next time that a full moon will fall on a Friday the 13th will not happen again until the year 2049, August 13th to be exact. This phenomenon only occurs when all the variable are in exactly the right place meaning that the moon phase, the weekday and the day of the month must all coincide perfectly.
Recent and Upcoming Full Moon Friday The 13ths
Friday March 13th 1903
Friday October 13th 1905
Friday June 13th 1919
Friday January 13th 1922
Friday November 13th 1970
Friday July 13th 1984
Friday February 13th 1987
Friday March 13th 1998
Friday October 13th 2000
Friday June 13th 2014
Friday October 13, 2019
Friday August 13th 2049
Friday April 13th 2063
Friday November 13th 2065
Friday February 13th 2082
