It's Friday the 13, 2013! Are You Superstitious?
Yes, for some people, this day can present some difficulties. If you suffer from friggatriskaidekaphobia, which is the fear of Friday the 13th, you may find some reason to stay home today.
Or, you may take extra precautions while you drive, bring your special lucky charm to your closing set for today or ask someone else to hang that picture if you’re doing a Staging today.
Thankfully, Friday the 13th occurs only twice this year. The next Friday the 13th is in December. It occurs only once in 2014 but 3 times in 2015!
Or……. you could have Triskaidekaphobia, which is a fear of the number 13. Why else are there no “13th” floors in many buildings?!
From what I’ve read, the anxiety or fear of this day stems from our Western culture, as it was the 13th apostle or guest at the Last Supper, who betrayed Christ, who was then crucified on a Friday.
Another reason, as it were, is that “13” follows “12.” What, you say? Twelve is believed to be a “complete” number. There are 12 months in the year, 12 signs of the zodiac, 12 Apostles of Jesus, 12 gods of Olympus, 12 tribes of Israel and 12 labors of Hercules.
Given this, “13” just doesn’t sound too attractive, does it?
If you’re curious/interested, you can find interesting facts about Friday the 13th from “Dr.13” otherwise known as Thomas Fernsler, an associate policy scientist at the University of Delaware.
Just to whet your appetite:
“ The British Navy is notoriously afraid of Friday the 13th. Nonetheless, it built a ship named Friday the 13th. On its maiden voyage, the vessel left dock on a Friday the 13th and was never heard from again.”
And one more tidbit, just to somehow keep this related to business:
It is estimated that this fear of Friday the 13th has cost businesses up to $900 million due to people’s fear of flying or doing business that day. (this is just an estimate)
What about you?
Any Friday the 13th phobias/fears/superstitions?
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