The unluckiest day of the year is Friday the 13th, with its reputation for misfortune dating back to the late 19th century. Mostly recognized in Western cultures, this date is often associated with bad luck and eerie superstitions, but what exactly do people fear?
Superstitions are widely held beliefs—often lacking scientific support—that suggest supernatural forces can influence real-world outcomes. Common Friday the 13th superstitions include black cats, broken mirrors, skipping the 13th floor in buildings, unexpected accidents, and avoiding travel.
Black cats have been considered bad luck due to their association with witches and dark magic. According to legend, crossing paths with one could bring misfortune your way.
Breaking mirrors is a sign of bad luck. In ancient times, the Romans believed mirrors were windows to the soul and held some magical or spiritual power. If a mirror is broken, the balance of the power could be disrupted and cause bad luck for seven years. To avoid this bad luck, if a mirror is broken, it must be buried during moonlight, thrown into running water, or ground into fine pieces.
Triskaidekaphobia is the fear of the number 13. Due to this fear, hotels will often leave out or rename the 13th floor of the building because they view it as a symbol of bad luck. On Friday the 13th, seeing the number 13 is considered bad luck.
If you are accident-prone, staying in bed on Friday the 13th is best. It has been rumored that you are more likely to experience some type of accident on this date. These accidents could vary from a small paper cut to even death. Similarly, it is said that people should avoid traveling on Friday the 13th due to the increased risk of accidents and misfortune.
Are you willing to take a risk this Friday the 13th? Join Sandlapper Water Tours and learn more about Charleston’s haunted history on one of the unluckiest and scariest days of the year. Book your ghost tour for Friday the 13th today only if you dare.
