THE SECOND FRIDAY THE 13TH OF THE YEAR...
In 2009, we have the misfortune of enduring the date three times: today, November 13 and last month's February 13.
Theories abound about how Friday the 13th came to be. Here are the main ideas:
One hinges on eating as a group of 13. Historians tie it to the Last Supper (13 men, a betrayal and a final Good Friday crucifixion) and Norse mythology (12 gods have dinner, a 13th crashes the party, one god dies and the entire Earth goes into mourning).
Another theory rests on the downfall of the Knights Templar (hundreds of religious knights executed in France on Friday, Oct. 13, 1307).
Perhaps these stories explain friggatriskaidekaphobiacs' fear of the No. 13. And someone along the way cared. Just look at the fact that many U.S. buildings are without a 13th floor. Many people are careful to avoid black cats--and some people seek them out to harm them, especially around Halloween.
Another explanation for society's fear about the No. 13 is simply the holiness of the No. 12. Live Search tells us that twelve's significance is everywhere, dating back to the B.C. era. You know Zeus and all those gods and goddesses of Olympus? You guessed it: They total 12.
Even in our day-to-day lives, 12 rules. We have 12 zodiac signs, 12 months in a year and 12 hours on a clock.
People follow old superstitions in their daily lives, not just on Friday the 13th. But what exactly is a superstition?: A set of irrational beliefs in the supernatural that are based in the fear of the unknown, born from ignorance or exist due to contrary proof.
Common superstitions:
- Walking under a ladder (don't)
- Black cat crossing your path (don't)
- Finding a four-leaf clover (do)
- Carrying a rabbit's foot (do)
I Pesonally don't really belive in the whole Friday the 13th superstitions, but as for the others I do say bless you after someone sneezes, but is not out of superstitions rather than good matters.
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