<p>The second Friday of this month (March) is the oft-feared Friday the 13th. The combination of this day and date is dreaded by many, often evoking images of pitch-dark nights, a new moon, and the continuous howling of wolves. On seeing the date, I was reminded of my own encounter with this fearsome combination, which once filled me with intense paraskevidekatriaphobia — fear of Friday the 13th.</p>.<p>A few years ago, I was en route to Mangaluru by air from Bengaluru. It was a Friday the 13th. As I glanced at my boarding pass, I noticed that my seat, printed in bold letters, was 13A, and I was to enter the aircraft through gate 13. Nervously, I proceeded, my heartbeats palpable in my chest. As I fastened my seatbelt, frissons of fear struck me. I said a silent prayer and held on to my prayer beads. Each jerk and shake during the flight sent shivers down my spine, with drops of sweat forming on my forehead. Finally, the flight landed safely, and I breathed a sigh of relief. From then on, I have travelled on seat number 13 on flights, buses, and trains with aplomb, shedding off my superstitions.</p>.<p>Thirteen has been associated with ill luck since the time of Hammurabi and in Norse mythology. Triskaidekaphobia, or fear of the number 13 in Christianity, is associated with the Last Supper of Jesus, where 13 gathered, and on the next day, Friday, Jesus was crucified. However, Corinthians Chapter 13 contains the universally quoted words on love. In Islam, 13 does not surface as a sign of fate or omen. In Hinduism, the 13th day denotes deep devotion and connection to Lord Shiva, and 13 is considered an auspicious number. In Judaism, 13 is a number pointing to Divine Mercy. An article, titled Le Chateau de Carini, in the French literary magazine Revue de Paris by Italian author Marquis de Salvo, circa 1830s, states, “It is always Fridays and the number 13 that bring bad luck”.</p>.<p>For mathematicians, 13 is an integer—an odd number sandwiched between 12 and 14. For the baker, a dozen is sometimes thirteen. Many hospitals skip room number 13, and some elevators omit the 13th floor. There are some who find 13 lucky too. Singer Taylor Swift, born on December 13, 1989, turned 13 on Friday, the 13th. She links the number to successful releases and awards and even had it tattooed on her arm. Our former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was another who reportedly considered 13 his lucky number.</p>.<p>Every year has at least one Friday the 13th, which can go up to three. Any month starting on a Sunday has an infamous Friday the 13th. A person of 80 years would have lived through approximately 136 Fridays the 13th in his or her lifetime. Friday is just another day, and 13 is just another number. What has luck to do with it?</p><p>(Disclaimer: The views expressed above are the author's own. They do not necessarily reflect the views of DH)</p>
<p>The second Friday of this month (March) is the oft-feared Friday the 13th. The combination of this day and date is dreaded by many, often evoking images of pitch-dark nights, a new moon, and the continuous howling of wolves. On seeing the date, I was reminded of my own encounter with this fearsome combination, which once filled me with intense paraskevidekatriaphobia — fear of Friday the 13th.</p>.<p>A few years ago, I was en route to Mangaluru by air from Bengaluru. It was a Friday the 13th. As I glanced at my boarding pass, I noticed that my seat, printed in bold letters, was 13A, and I was to enter the aircraft through gate 13. Nervously, I proceeded, my heartbeats palpable in my chest. As I fastened my seatbelt, frissons of fear struck me. I said a silent prayer and held on to my prayer beads. Each jerk and shake during the flight sent shivers down my spine, with drops of sweat forming on my forehead. Finally, the flight landed safely, and I breathed a sigh of relief. From then on, I have travelled on seat number 13 on flights, buses, and trains with aplomb, shedding off my superstitions.</p>.<p>Thirteen has been associated with ill luck since the time of Hammurabi and in Norse mythology. Triskaidekaphobia, or fear of the number 13 in Christianity, is associated with the Last Supper of Jesus, where 13 gathered, and on the next day, Friday, Jesus was crucified. However, Corinthians Chapter 13 contains the universally quoted words on love. In Islam, 13 does not surface as a sign of fate or omen. In Hinduism, the 13th day denotes deep devotion and connection to Lord Shiva, and 13 is considered an auspicious number. In Judaism, 13 is a number pointing to Divine Mercy. An article, titled Le Chateau de Carini, in the French literary magazine Revue de Paris by Italian author Marquis de Salvo, circa 1830s, states, “It is always Fridays and the number 13 that bring bad luck”.</p>.<p>For mathematicians, 13 is an integer—an odd number sandwiched between 12 and 14. For the baker, a dozen is sometimes thirteen. Many hospitals skip room number 13, and some elevators omit the 13th floor. There are some who find 13 lucky too. Singer Taylor Swift, born on December 13, 1989, turned 13 on Friday, the 13th. She links the number to successful releases and awards and even had it tattooed on her arm. Our former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was another who reportedly considered 13 his lucky number.</p>.<p>Every year has at least one Friday the 13th, which can go up to three. Any month starting on a Sunday has an infamous Friday the 13th. A person of 80 years would have lived through approximately 136 Fridays the 13th in his or her lifetime. Friday is just another day, and 13 is just another number. What has luck to do with it?</p><p>(Disclaimer: The views expressed above are the author's own. They do not necessarily reflect the views of DH)</p>
