Friday the 13th meaning and why it's believed to be 'cursed'

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Today is Friday the 13th, a date widely believed in Western cultures to bring about bad fortune as the unluckiest day of the year.Millions are familiar with this superstition, so much so there is an entire American horror franchise named after it, and people will likely go out of their way to avoid mirrors, ladders and drains today out of fear.Previous studies show that around 49 million people alone in the UK are terrified of the day with the fear so bad it even has its own name of Paraskevidekatriaphobia which affects people who are scared of the number 13.However, what many don't know is the real reason behind why we consider this particular date to be cursed.Well, the real truth is that no one knows the exact origin behind the myth but both the number 13 and Friday have a long history of bringing bad luck - combined they are what makes many fear the day.It's believed that the reason behind the unluckiness of the number 13 originally comes from the Bible.Judas, the disciple who betrayed Jesus, is thought to have been the 13th guest to sit down at the Last Supper.

Some superstitious people today even consider 13 people sat round a dinner table to be highly unlucky and will prop up a teddy bear to make a 14th guest.Meanwhile, in Norse mythology, a dinner party of the gods was ruined by the 13th guest named Loki, who caused the world to be plunged into darkness.The myth of the unlucky 13 is known all around the world and is more common than you may realise.

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