~Friday the 13th~
The ClubHouse: General Discussions - Jan -Apr. 2001: April:
~Friday the 13th~
Moondance | Friday, April 13, 2001 - 11:38 am  Friday the 13th combines Christian, pagan beliefs ------------------------------------------------------------------------ FRIDAY THE 13TH is an unlucky day in much of Western Europe, North America, and Australia. Many people avoid travel and avoid signing contracts on Friday the 13th. Floors in tall buildings often skip from 12 to 14. And while the superstition is believed to be fading, it nonetheless has deep roots in both Christian and pagan culture. The Day Jesus Was Crucified? Many Christians have long believed that Friday was unlucky because it was the day of the week when Jesus was crucified. The number 13 was believed to bring bad luck because there were 13 people at The Last Supper. Since there were 12 tribes of Israel and 12 moons in a year, that number was considered lucky. Roots in Norse Mythology Thirteen was also a sinister number in Norse mythology. Loki, one of the most evil of the Norse gods, went uninvited to a party for 12 at Valhalla, a banquet hall of the gods. As a result, he caused the death of Balder, the god of light, joy, and reconciliation. Loki tricked Balder's blind brother, Hod, into throwing a sprig of mistletoe at Balder's chest. Since mistletoe was the only thing on Earth fatal to Balder, the beloved god fell dead. During the Middle Ages, the superstition against Friday the 13th grew. Over time a large body of literature and folk wisdom have reinforced the belief. In the 18th century, the HMS Friday was launched on Friday the 13th. It was never heard from again. Since then, ships are not usually launched on that date. It is considered especially unlucky to have 13 people at the table during a meal, such as in Agatha Christie's mystery novel, Thirteen at Dinner. During the 1880s, a men's group that felt superstition was an unhealthy influence on public life held Thirteen Club dinners. Those diners would have doubtless deplored Triskaidekaphobia, which is a fear of the number 13. They would also have looked askance at Triskaidekamania, which is an excessive enthusiasm for the number 13. by David Johnson/AOL |
Norwican | Friday, April 13, 2001 - 11:47 am  My husband was born on a Friday the 13th... so it's a lucky day for me |
Grooch | Friday, April 13, 2001 - 11:51 am  Here in Miami, Latins consider Tuesday the 13th unlucky, not Friday. I don't know why. |
Moondance | Friday, April 13, 2001 - 11:59 am  13 is one of my lucky numbers too Nor! |
Admin | Friday, April 13, 2001 - 02:48 pm  So far my Friday the 13th is going okay. I do however consider the number unlucky and avoid it. I remember a Christmas dinner when I was a kid that had 13 people invited and my aunt wouldn't come until my mother invited one more so there would be 14. |
Twiggyish | Friday, April 13, 2001 - 06:45 pm  I think it is all a matter of perspective. I look for it to be a lucky day. =) |
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