In the West, some people believe that Friday the 13th is bad luck. They believe that this day has some special or magic power to cause bad things to happen.

This kind of belief is called a superstition in English.

superstition (noun) the belief that particular events happen in a way that cannot be explained by reason or science; the belief that particular events bring good or bad luck

“According to superstition, breaking a mirror brings bad luck.”

Superstitions about the number 13 and Friday may have started in the Middle Ages. (The middle ages refers to a time in European history between the 5th and 15th centuries) 13 was considered unlucky for a long time. The number 12 represents a complete cycle. 12 months in a year, 12 hours on a clock, 12 signs of the zodiac. 13 feels like 1 too many!

The story of Jesus’ death is said to have happened when he was surrounded by 13 of his followers. His death is also said to have happened on a Friday. There are also other stories about bad events that are said to have happened on a Friday, on the 13th day of the month. Some stories are religious and some are popular culture.

 Both the number 13 and Friday were said to be unlucky, but it seems they weren’t combined into a single unlucky day (Friday the 13th) until the 19th century. Several authors helped to spread the idea that Friday the 13th is an especially unlucky day in stories and books written in the 19th century. There are many legends and ideas about why we think of Friday the 13th as unlucky.

Friday and the number 13 are not unlucky for everyone. According to Mirror.co.uk singer Taylor Swift was born on 13th of December and turned 13 on Friday 13th. Her first album also went gold in just 13 weeks! Great!