Yesterday was Friday the 13th, which many believe to be a day of bad luck.
The fear of Friday the 13th is called paraskevidekatriaphobia.
I have no clue how to even say the word 😳
The superstition that every Friday the 13th is bad luck dates back many years, with some believing it arose during the Middle Ages.
Do you believe in superstitions?
Does you family have any?
I don’t really believe in them but when it comes around I always claim it as my lucky day 😊
Here’s a look at 13 old superstitions on this Friday the 13th:
1. Spilling salt
Some believe spilling salt is an evil omen that will give the person bad luck or even worse, invite the devil in. The only way to ward off the evil is to toss a bit of salt with your right hand over your left shoulder. This belief is quite old, possibly dating as far back as ancient Rome, when salt was still quite the commodity.
2. Don’t walk under a ladder
The belief is that walking under a ladder will bring you bad luck. There are several theories as to the origins of this superstition. One theory states that the triangle-shape made by a ladder against a wall symbolizes the Holy Trinity, so walking through would be considered a desecration. During the medieval times, a ladder symbolized the gallows, where people were executed by hanging. It was believed that if someone walked beneath a ladder, it would mean the person would soon meet their own death.
If one were to accidentally walk beneath a ladder, they would need to walk back through the ladder backwards to ward off the bad luck.
3. Umbrellas
Opening an umbrella indoors is considered bad luck and must be avoided. There are multiple theories as to the origin of this superstition. Some say it can be traced back to the early Egyptians, who used umbrellas to protect nobility from the sun’s rays. It was also thought to ward off evil spirits. It was believed that to open an umbrella inside would offend the God of the Sun.
An alternate theory dates to 18th century England, when umbrellas were popularized. At the time, umbrellas were large and awkward to open, so opening them inside in a small space could cause harm or injury to those around.
4. Broken mirror
There are many who believe that breaking a mirror would mean seven years of bad luck. The ‘broken mirror’ superstition dates back to the ancient Romans and can be found in many different cultures. It was believed that a mirror could hold a piece of a person’s soul in the reflection. Therefore, when the mirror is shattered, so is the person’s soul.
Some say that to avoid the bad luck, you will need to pick up the broken pieces and bury them underground and under the moonlight.
5. Rocking chairs
An old Irish superstition says it is bad luck to rock an empty rocking chair. If you do, it would bring death to your family. It is also believed by some that by rocking the chair, you are inviting evil sprits to occupy the seat and your home. On that note, if you see the chair rocking on its own, then it means there is probably a spirit already occupying the seat!
6. Black cats
If a black cat crosses your path, expect bad luck to come to you. It’s possible the superstition of black cats began in the Middle Ages, when it was believed witches could take the form of a black cat. However, not everyone believed a black cat was an omen. Ancient Egyptians believed all cats were sacred and a sign of good luck.
7. Stepping on a crack
You may have heard this phrase before, “Step on a crack and break your mother’s back.” It accompanies the belief that stepping on a crack in the pavement would result in misfortune and bad luck.
8. Horseshoes
Horseshoes are believed to be signs of good luck and even a protective talisman. Some may say that a horseshoe must be hung with the ends pointing up for good luck. This is because the u-shape acts as a storage for good luck and if it is hung upside down, you will have bad luck because the good luck will have fallen out.
9. Crossing your fingers
Want some good luck? Cross your fingers! A popular and common superstition is to cross your fingers to wish for good luck. Even people who don’t consider themselves superstitious will cross their fingers. One theory says that crossing fingers was a shorthanded way to show the sign of the cross. Therefore, it could be used to ward off evil spirits or protect against danger. It was a way of gaining the assistance of the divine in times when it was most needed.
10. Three on a match
It is said that no three cigarettes should be lit by the same match. The superstition is believed to have originated during World War I. It is said that when the first soldier lights a cigarette off a match, an enemy sees it. When he lights the second cigarette, the enemy aims, and by the third cigarette, the enemy fires.
11. Knock on wood
To avoid tempting fate, knock on wood. This common superstition is often done after someone has made a favorable observation, a boast or a declaration of one’s own death or unfavorable situation beyond one’s control. It is believed to have stemmed from germanic folklore, where dryads, believed to live in trees, could be called upon for protection.
12. Chopsticks
According to many Asian cultures, chopsticks should never be stuck upright into a bowl of rice. To do so would bring you bad luck. It is said that upright chopsticks resemble the incense that family members burn to mourn a dead relative. Chopsticks are to only be stuck upright in a rice bowl on an alter at a funeral.
And I read in huff post by Donna Henes
Thirteen is certainly the most essentially female number — the average number of menstrual cycles in a year. The approximate number, too, of annual cycles of the moon. When Chinese women make offerings of moon cakes, there are sure to be 13 on the platter. Thirteen is the number of blood, fertility, and lunar potency. 13 is the lucky number of the Great Goddess.
Representing as it does, the number of revolutions the moon makes around the earth in a year, 13 was the number of regeneration for pre-Columbian Mexicans. In ancient Israel, 13 was a sanctified number. Thirteen items were decreed necessary for the tabernacle. At 13 years of age, a boy was (and still is) initiated into the adult Jewish community. In Wicca, the pagan goddess tradition of Old Europe, communicants convene in covens of 13 participants. Thirteen was also auspicious for the Egyptians, who believed that life has 13 stages, the last of which is death — the transition to eternal life.
Held holy in honor of Shekinah, the female aspect of God, Friday was observed as the day of Her special celebrations. Jews around the world still begin the observance of the Sabbath at sunset on Friday evenings when they invite in the Sabbath Bride. Friday is the Sabbath in the Islamic world. Friday is sacred to Oshun, the Yoruba orisha of opulent sensuality and overwhelming femininity, and also to Frig, the Norse Goddess of love and sex, of fertility and creativity. Her name became the Anglo-Saxon noun for love, and in the 16th century, frig came to mean “to copulate.”
Friday was associated with the early Mother Creation Goddesses for whom that day was named. In Anglo-Saxon, Scandinavian, Icelandic, and Teutonic cultures She was called variously, Freya, Freia, Freyja, Fir, Frea and Frig. Friday is Frig’s Day, Frigedaeg, in Old English, Fredag in Danish, Freitag in Dutch. In Mediterranean lands, She reigned as Venus. In Latin, Friday is the Day of Venus, Dies Veneris; Vendredi in French, Venerdi in Italian and Viernes in Spanish.
Friday the 13th is ultimately the celebration of the lives and loves of Lady Luck. On this, Her doubly-dedicated day, let us consider what fortuitous coincidences constitute our fate. The lucky blend of just the right conditions, chemistries, elements, and energies that comprise our universe. The way it all works. The way we are. That we are at all.
That, despite whatever major or minor matters we might think are unlucky, we have somehow managed to remain alive and aware. This Friday the 13th, let us stand in full consciousness of the miraculousness of existence and count our blessings. Thank Goddess! Knock on wood!
Joint Purpose 
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