(pair.uh.skee.vee.dek.uh.tree.uh.foh.bee.uh)
The term paraskevidekatriaphobia is based on the Greek words:
paraskevi - Friday |
dekatria - thirteen |
phobia - indicates fear |
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The belief that Friday 13th is an unlucky day is one of the most widely know superstitions in Britain today.
The superstition surrounding Friday the 13th is a combination of two separate fears:
- the fear of the number 13 (called triskaidekaphobia)
- the fear of Fridays
It is unlucky to have thirteen at a table or in a company. The number 13, in the Christian faith, is the number of people at the Last Supper, with the 13th guest at the table being the traitor, Judas.
- A witches coven consists of 13 members.
- Tarot Card number 13 is the Death Card, depicting the Grim Reaper
- Hotels rarely have a room number 13
- There are 13 steps leading to the gallows.
- 13 knots in a hangman's noose.
- 13 feet which the guillotine blade falls.
- The driver of Princess Diana hit pillar 13 at Place de l'Alma, Paris, France which unfortunately resulted in her death.
- Fridays have been considered an unlucky day since the medieval times.
- It is generally considered bad luck to start anything on a Friday -
a new journey, job, marriage, business project, giving birth, moving house
- It is unlucky to cut fingernails and hair on a Friday.
- In Britain, Friday was the conventional day for public hangings, and there were supposedly 13 steps leading up to the noose!
Friday is consider an unlucky day in some religions
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Muslims tout Friday as the day Allah created Adam
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Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit on a Friday and later died on a Friday.
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Christians consider Friday as the day on which Christ was crucified by the Romans.
More Superstitions
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