Friday the 13th Origin and Superstitions

It's Friday the 13th and for some Americans that means life will come to a screeching halt. Not going to work today; certainly not driving a vehicle and most likely to stay in bed and never dare to tempt the fate of the potential evils of the day. It's called Paraskevidekatriaphobia

— The irrational fear of Friday the 13th and sufferers have had a rough go of it this year since this is the 3rd Friday the 13th we've had this year...each one exactly 13 weeks apart. According to some About.com it's the most widespread superstition in the United States today. According to Dr. Donald Dossey, a psychotherapist specializing in the treatment of phobias (and coiner of the term paraskevidekatriaphobia, also spelled paraskavedekatriaphobia), there might be as many as 21 million Americans who suffer from the disease. And the disease has an incredible price tag.

The Number 13 According to Smithsonian Magazine "fear of the #13 costs American a billion dollars per year in absenteeism, train and plane cancellations, and reduced commerce on the 13th of the month." Fear of Friday the 13th dates back to Nordic Mythology. Many of their thirteenth Gods met with violent deaths, such as Loki, the trickster. Ancient Romans regarded the number 13 as a symbol of death, destruction and misfortune. Here are just a few other coincidental run in's with the number 13:

A witches coven consists of 13 members.

Tarot Card number 13 is the Death Card, depicting the Grim Reaper (although it is read as transition or change and not literal death).

Hotels rarely have a room number 13. Usually it is called 12a or 14. Same with floors of buildings and the elevators without a #13 button. Highways sometimes will skip exit 13 altogether also and some cities refuse to have a 13th Street or 13th Avenue.

There are 13 steps leading to the gallows.

13 knots in a hangman's noose.

Lizzy Borden uttered a total of 13 words at her trial.

13 feet which the guillotine blade falls.

The driver of Princess Diana hit pillar #13 at Place de l'Alma when she was killed in Paris, France.

13 people, Christ and his 12 disciples, were in attendance at the last supper.

Are you scared of Friday the 13th or have another superstition?