Friday, February 13, 2009

Friday the 13th

It's that day again. One that brings terror to the hearts of many. It's Friday the 13th!

Fear of the number thirteen is called Triskaidekaphobia. It is also known as friggatriskaidekaphobia.

Studies have found that incidents of emergency room visits rise on this day.

According to Wikipedia:

In numerology, the number twelve is considered the number of completeness, as reflected in the twelve months of the year, twelve signs of the zodiac, twelve hours of the clock, twelve tribes of Israel, twelve Apostles of Jesus, twelve gods of Olympus, etc., whereas the number thirteen was considered irregular, transgressing this completeness. There is also a superstition, thought by some to derive from the Last Supper or a Norse myth, that having thirteen people seated at a table will result in the death of one of the diners.

Whether you believe in superstition or not, be a little extra careful out there today.

Have a wonderful Friday.

5 comments:

AE Rought said...

13 is also the number of the Goddess. Funny how something past 'Christian' is taboo, don'tcha think?

Okay, I'm getting off the soap box before I start ranting.

Happy Valentine's Day, NJ!!

Anonymous said...

I can confirm the emergency room is busy and wild. I've worked in hospitals for 13 years now. Full moons and Friday the 13th are always a challenge. Yesterday was no exception.

N.J.Walters said...

Happy Valentine's Day, AE.

Most religions build on the ones that came before, which is why Christianity has many pagan features. Many world relgions have similar beliefs and "stories." It's fascinating.

N.J.Walters said...

ACK! I don't envy you, Nic.

Anny Cook said...

Very interesting post!