chamcham Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 The Superstition Behind Friday The 13th It's strange how society has come to accept "superstition" so plainly and unquestioning. Go to every hotel in the States and there is almost never a floor with the number 13 in it. However, if you should venture to a hotel in Italy, you will indeed find that 13 is not skipped over. In fact, a gold charm of the number is given to Italian infants to ensure good luck and prosperity in their developing life. Why then, is there such suspicion surrounding 13? Furthermore, ever wonder what makes Friday the 13th so "evil"? (Note: Friday the 13th was considered a day of bad luck and evil long before the movies came out!) There are various theories surrounding 13. Since Christianity has had a extremely large influence on all societies as a whole, we shall look there first. At the "Final Supper" or "Last Supper" (whoever you chose to term it) there were 13 guests. Some believe Jesus to be the 13th at feast, occurring just before he was Crucified. This is a largely debatable theory, however. How does one know where to start counting? Many chose to go by the painting "The Last Supper," forgetting that this is an artist's interpretation of an event he did not attend. The painting depicts the disciples and Jesus at a table, but evidence suggests that the last supper was not conducted at a table. Rather the participants were seated on the ground where it was cooler. (The climate in Israel, at that time, suggests they would have stayed on the ground to keep cool.) Furthermore, where to start counting (when assuming the picture is accurate)? If one started with Judas, Jesus became the 13th guest. Conversely, if the count began at Jesus, it was indeed Judas who was 13. Both options would contribute to the mystique surrounding 13: Jesus, for he was killed soon after the feast, Judas for he was the betrayer of Jesus. On an additional, though little proven, note, some have claimed to be a 13th tribe of Israel. The bible proclaims only 12, and a very high percentage of Christians and Jews deny that a 13th tribe even exist. However, a few recognize that a group had, falsely, identified themselves as a 13th tribe. The members of the "13th tribe" were labeled as "witches" and "sorcerers," an evil group who determine to destroy followers of God. Plainly, this does not lend any favor to 13, and adds more propaganda against Witchcraft. The fact that so many havenÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢t even heard of this 13th Tribe makes the probability of the labeling of "Witches" being accurate extremely low. (Furthermore, the low probability simply further illustrates the false propaganda Christian organizations are willing to put forth in order to label Witchcraft as evil.) Friday the 13th comes into play when it is observed that Jesus was Crucified on a Friday. Obviously, should one chose to accept this theory, the day associated with the death of the Savior would lend to the supposed bad luck which occupies this particular date. It is said, also, that it was a Friday when Adam and Eve ate the fruit. Furthermore, Friday used to be the 6th day of the week, it was not until more recent times that it became the 5th day. 6, being the number biblically associated with man, relates to the Devil. 3 is the number of the Holy Trinity, therefore with 6 being the number of man, 666 was denoted as the number of the Beast. (A Trinity of Six, signifying the God of Man, Satan) One can hardly find this connection to Satan adding to the "good name" of Friday the 13th. Also, any month with a Friday the 13th must begin with a Sunday the 1st. Curiosity leads one to ask if a significance lies in the observation that only months that begin with the day God decided to rest (Sunday), after "creating the world," yield a day of such supposed demonic evil and misfortune. To the Norse Friday was the luckiest day of the week, being named after Freya, one of their Deities. Also named after Venus, in Rome and France. For Mohammedans, Friday after sunset is also the Sabbath. The implications connecting Darkness, and hence Sunset (the transition from light to dark), and Evil would indeed lend to the idea of misfortune which surrounds Friday the 13th, to those who find the Muslim path as evil and heathen. Mohammedans also say that Adam was created on a Friday. It can be seen that it is largely within the Christian ranks that Friday takes on a significant connotation of evil when teamed with the 13th. To continue on, perhaps extending a bit further in the past than Christian influence, a mythological occurrence presents: At the banquet in Valhalla, of which there were 12 guests, Loki, God of Deceit, intruded, becoming the uninvited 13th guest. In Norse mythology, Balder was the god of light and beauty. The most beloved of the gods, he was the son of Odin and Frigg and the husband of Nanna, goddess of the Moon. Balder was killed by LokiÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢s treachery during the proceedings. Through LokiÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢s interference, the return of Balder, from the possession of Hel, was an impossible task. To return Balder, Hel demanded that all living things beg for the godÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢s return. All respond except a giantess, Thokk (Loki in disguise), whose refusal to weep forces Balder to remain in Hel's domain. There are 13 members which make up a Wiccan/Pagan Coven to fully cast the Circle. 13 was sacred because it represented the amount of lunar months in year (Thirteen Full Moons). It has also been speculated that 13 was maximum # of people that could fit comfortably in a traditional Circle with a 9 foot diameter. 6 male-female couples and a priest or priestess. Not so surprising is the understanding that 13, being a sacred number to most Pagan traditions, was therefore considered evil by early Christians. It took very little for the religious leaders to invent a dogma to counter the PaganÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢s sacred number. The question can be posed: If the mystique surrounding 13 is not invented dogma, why then do hotels hold rooms labeled #666? Why is this number not also omitted? For a superstition to spread so far it must be distributed through a largely influential source, such as Christianity. Notice again, 13 is still considered good luck in Italy, home of the Roman Catholic church, which separated from the rest of Christianity due to conflicting political and theological disagreements. Moreover, Friday was considered sacred by both Norse traditions and Muslims, both which are considered enemies to Christianity. Instituting Friday the 13th as a day of evil worked to prevent losing followers to either path, utilizing fear as a binding weapon. A recent article shows that a new superstition has been 'invented' involving the number 13. Now some serial killers has been bunched under the 13 letter group, and it goes something like this: Jack the Ripper- 13 letters John Wayne Gacy- 13 letters Charles Manson- 13 letters Jeffrey Dahmer- 13 letters Theodore ( Ted ) Bundy- 13 letters This latest bad press is bound to give the self-respecting normal 13s in the world an even worse time of it. From here on, it can be seen how the "bad luck" attributed to Friday the 13th comes from peoples' assumption that the date carries evil in it's wake. Therefore, anything that goes wrong on the 13th is assumed to be the effect of some supernatural evil. The luck or unluck of any given number resides solely in the mind of the person, and within the realm of the boogie man. All the superstitions built up around Friday the 13th were political maneuvers, largely on the part of Christian religious leaders (but most definetly not the only offenders), to divert their followers minds from other spiritual paths. Coppied from and credit for Witchcraft Dawning :ohnoes: BE AFRAID, BE VERY AFRAID Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zonorhc Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 Feh. To be honest, I'm more concerned about Friday the 20th. Varrock Library: Shattered Sky | Silent Thunder | The Emperor's FinestAstri @ MythWeavers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chamcham Posted October 13, 2006 Author Share Posted October 13, 2006 Oh really, y dont u share some of u story?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
00 Quanta Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 We had so many Friday the 13th..... I've never heard anything serious happen yet.. :roll: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zonorhc Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 Oh really, y dont u share some of u story?? Next Friday, my HSC examinations begin. Ironically, in the context of your reply, my first paper is English (Advanced). Varrock Library: Shattered Sky | Silent Thunder | The Emperor's FinestAstri @ MythWeavers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chamcham Posted October 13, 2006 Author Share Posted October 13, 2006 Next Friday, my HSC examinations begin. Ironically, in the context of your reply, my first paper is English (Advanced). Oh... now thats just really sux Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mercifull Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 I found it quite interesting reading your post until i came apart the bit about 13 letter groups. Thats really scraping the barrel, especially with Ted Bundy writing Theodore... National Geographic has some nice history on why its consitered unlucky: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news ... day13.html Mercifull <3 Suzi "We don't want players to be able to buy their way to success in RuneScape. If we let players start doing this, it devalues RuneScape for others. We feel your status in real-life shouldn't affect your ability to be successful in RuneScape" Jagex 01/04/01 - 02/03/12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jemathonical Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 I'm not supersticious. It doesn't worry me what the date is. ^Sir Jem 05-The Bunny Drinking Blog?^ Click it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bubsa Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 How about you source where you copy pasted that post? This is how much you all raised for charity. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ixfd64 Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 I don't know if this is related, but all of a sudden, I'm suffering a dry spell with clues on RuneScape. 13 clues in a row with no good stuff. ARENAscape: Baratus [AS] max hit: 166 with Moon Battle Hammer ixfd64 [AS] max hit: 116 with (untitled spell #2) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nenga Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 Friday the 13th is like Oct. 31 most likly, "the day demons and spirts come out and roam the ground of the mortal earth." That's also where our halloween comes from. In times long past people belived that spirts and demonic beings came from the under world to the mortal plain to eat the flesh of the living on Oct. 31, the only way to protect your self was to wear a mask and fool the demonic spirts into thinking that your one of them. just try to get through it. On each full moon the negative activity of humans is said to increse, the same principale applys here, couples break up on this day, friends have fights over stupid things. So if your in a relationship your best bet is to stay away from your girl/guy for the best of you. May luck come to you. p.s. if you count his post do you notice 13 paragraphs are in there? :ohnoes: Ponies! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
issy2 Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 p.s. if you count his post do you notice 13 paragraphs are in there? :ohnoes: ohmygodthat'sjustscary!!!! uhh dang keyboard...hate it. anyway I don't believe in superstition but wow that was a reallyinterstingread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Screech1992 Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 My girlfriend is going on a schooltrip to Estonia today, at Friday the 13th, BY AIRPLANE! :ohnoes: Good thing I don't believe in this stuff :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebobcow Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 My band has a gig today! :ohnoes: But I don't believe in this kinda stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jak722 Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 Last year we had a thread like this too. People kept reporting wierd things though. :lol: The Enrichment Center reminds you that the weighted companion cube will never threaten to stab you and, in fact, cannot speak. In the event that the weighted companion cube does speak, the Enrichment Center urges you to disregard its advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katha610 Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 omgz, were all gonna die... free stuff plz? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
insane Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 How about you source where you copy pasted that post? I googled the first sentence and came up with cheathouse.com - essays with works cited :D Feh. To be honest, I'm more concerned about Friday the 20th. Me as well. Two major comp sci assignments and a comp sci midterm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malo2 Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 today is a nice day, i have no school :) I can do whatever I want all day. Lastfm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
issy2 Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 AAARGH!!!! my cat broke a bowl my best friend gave me...shizzums... :XD: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 I didn't read any of that, it's too long. And I'm feeling VERY lazy today. Admittedly Friday the 13th is unlucky for some... Now I'm not supersticious or anything, but I'm using this as an excuse for my absoultely horrible day at work. So now I'm going to get very drunk and hope that it wasn't because of the day... Or I'm probably not going to see anyone on here again. :ohnoes: Notoriously Trollish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattbrandon Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 Well Fri 13th was unlucky for me 2day, i slept badly for the 1st time in years and woke up with an EXTREMELY bad, unmovable (immovable :?: ) neck and am still in pain :boohoo: one time i woke up sleeping under my bed with a jello and a spoon lol :ohnoes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad25891 Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 well i have seious superstition about friday the 13th now... At my first school break (30 mins) me and my m8s were playin footy, then one of my best mates gets taken down and dislocates(sp?) his knee :( thats the 3rd time its happened to him... Get well soon jack! Deviant Art Account2 Signatures | 6 Photographs | 1 Other Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cadburys_egg Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 I don't care for superstition. I've broken 2 mirrors, I always walk under ladders and I live near about 4 black cats. It's kind of ironic that I was pushed through a window today though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoingUnder Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 This spakky boy who's err..not very attractive chased my friend around the school grounds, my friend whom we had fallen out with was crying and running. The spakky boy first had a crush on my other friend, then me, then this friend. We were so mean, we just wetted ourselves laughing. That day was a Friday 13th some years ago. Oh bless that day, I never had that much of a laughing fit in my life. i am a paint noob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThurinEthir Posted October 13, 2006 Share Posted October 13, 2006 Friday the 13th can't be unlucky, it's my mom's birthday today! My mom's birthday isn't unlucky, because if she wasn't born, I wouldn't be here. BUT... A few things that have happened to my friend (Ben) and I today. -Two quizzes at school, Ben had a third. -I got hit by some gatorade my friend was drinking. -Ben got 10 points off his social studies test because he said "thing" two times, and 20 points off his social studies homework because he said "thing" 3 times and "I" once. -I had my 100% in social studies ruined by an A- on a test and a 95 on my homework. Coincidence? By the way, "The End" by Lemony Snicket (AKA Daniel Handler or something like that) came out today. Cenin pân nîd, istan pân nîd, dan nin ú-cenich, nin ú-istach.Ithil luin eria vi menel caran...Tîn dan delu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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