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Friday the 13th: The History of Friday Taboos and Superstition

© Gabriella Kalapos

The fear of Friday the 13^th is a popular superstition. Examples of the taboos for both Friday and the number 13 are numerous.

Friday and Superstition

Friday’s ill-fated superstitious connotations are believed to result from the idea that it was the day of the week on which Eve tempted Adam and Christ was crucified.

Among the activities that are taboo on a Friday: setting sail on a ship; moving house; beginning any new work; writing a letter; knitting; starting a journey; and cutting your nails. In both England and America the custom to hang criminals on a Friday earned it the reputation of Hangman’s day.

One activity offers some promise on a Friday - sleeping. The thought is, if you repeat the dream you had during the night to a family member on Friday morning, the dream will come true.

Not everywhere does Friday have this dubious distinction. Friday is the Sabbath of the Jewish lunar calendar and the Sabbath of Islam. Scandinavian Pagans, Hindus, rural Scots, and Germans consider Friday a fertile day, favourable for a marriage or courting. Their more favorable view of Friday is a result of the history of Friday before Christianity.

The Naming of “Friday”

Friday is the only day of the week named after a woman. The others pay homage to either Scandinavian male gods (Wooden, Thor, and Tiu – God of War) or celestial bodies (Saturn, Sun, and Moon). Friday was named after the Norse Goddess Freya who represented fertility and sexual love. She is strongly associated with spring, birds and cats.

Romans named the day dies Veneris after Venus, their own version of the Freya goddess. Ancient fisherman did not set sail on a Friday out of respect for Freya, because she was Goddess of the Sea. This tradition is still practiced by sea folk today, except the reluctance to set sail on a Friday is now due to a fear of bad luck.

Click here for a history of the number 13.

The copyright of the article Friday the 13th: The History of Friday Taboos and Superstition in Mythology is owned by Wayne Kreger. Permission to republish Friday the 13th: The History of Friday Taboos and Superstition in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.