What is it about Friday the 13th that get people so creeped out or worried that something bad is going to happen? Where did these superstitions or myths come from that have created this reaction in us? I started to look some things up and, because I get bored reading, I chose a few that might be of interest:
- The origins of Friday superstitions are many. One of the best known is that Eve tempted Adam with the apple on a Friday.
- The origins of the Friday the 13th superstition have also been linked to the fact there were 13 people at the last supper of Jesus, who was traditionally crucified on Good Friday.
- 'Friday' was named after Frigg (or Frigga), the Norse goddess of marriage. Later she was confused with the goddess of love, Freya, who in turn became identified with Friday. When the Norsemen and Germanic tribes became Christians, Freya was supposed to have been banished to the mountains as a witch. Friday came to be called 'witches' Sabbath. It was believed that on this day, each week, twelve witches and the Devil met - thirteen evil spirits in all.
- Both the Hindus and Vikings reportedly had a myth in which 12 gods were invited to a gathering and Loki, the god of mischief, crashed the party and incited a riot. Tradition in both cultures holds that 13 people at a dinner party is bad luck and will end in the death of the party-goers.
- The number 12 is considered a lucky number. 12=1+2=3=physical reality. As a result, the number which follows 12 was thought to be evil.
- Buildings avoid numbering the 13th floor.
- Airplanes avoid the 13th aisle.
- Psychologists believe that Friday the 13th will become a day of bad luck if people focus on the day because people will create their own bad luck by paying attention to the superstition.
- Giving birth: "A child born on a Friday is doomed to misfortune." (1846)
- Getting married: "As to Friday, a couple married on that day are doomed to a cat-and-dog life."
- Hearing news: "If you hear anything new on a Friday, it gives you another wrinkle on your face, and adds a year to your age." (1883)
- Moving: "Don't move on a Friday, or you won't stay there very long." (1982)
- And most common of all, Friday the 13th is considered a bad luck day.
So in looking this over, I realized something kind of spooky
# of myths = 13
# of Fridays mentions = 13
# of myths = 13
# of Fridays mentions = 13
Something I never noticed before was how similar this guy;
Jason from Friday the 13thlooks like this guy:
Sloth from GooniesNow that's a pretty Uzelicious observation!
4 comments:
lol. get this...one of my roommates in provo dated a guy that we named sloth (for good reason, mind you). it was a sad day when he actually watched the movie for the first time for a reference.
Ok Erica, that is freak'n hilarious! Who would name their kid Sloth? Maybe the same people that wouldn't show him the movie afraid he'd not only slit his wrists but do push ups to speed the process.
So, I'm not sure if you'll ever see this post...depending on whether you're notified or not. And perhaps that's a good thing. So I'm posting on a Friday the 13th blog entry since I hold that date near and dear to my heart. :) I've stayed in touch with only a handful of people from our teenage years. And I've thought about you a lot over the years...not in "that" kind of way...hello, I'm married. :) But in a "missing our friendship" kind of way. I have some great memories (with some exception...do you remember almost drowning me at a pool party during mutual?!?) Anyway, I think I want to catch up on the past 10 years. But I don't want to force myself back into your life. And you have rules against personal info online...so not sure how to reconnect even if you thought that would be a good idea.
Anyway, I'll watch this post for a few days to see if you respond. If you don't, I'll assume you either didn't see it or you don't want to respond. Either way, I hope you don't mind if I check your blog every once in a while. It's really fun to read (I remember how fun your notes always were...and I still have some of them) and I enjoy catching up on your life. Glad to hear you're doing well.
ok, at first I couldn't figure out who "Rover" was. So I read on about the 13th holding a special place and I thought, "hey, me too!" and of course I remembered that your birthday is a month after mine, exactly. Or should I say 11 months after yours?
That is when I figured it out, and totally forgot about "Rover". I don't even remember why I gave you that name...or didn't I?
Anyway, yes, let's catch up! So much has happened for both of us and it would be great to keep things going and remain good friends.
Email me. (myname@gmail.com)
p.s. it's with a "y" not an "i" :)
Post a Comment