Have You Smiled Today? #30
Did you know that the most widespread superstition in the U.S. is Friday the 13th? Well, now you do. And there are two names associated with the irrational fear of Friday the 13th, "Paraskevidekafriaphobics" and "Friggatriskaidekaphobia." There are approximately 21 million people in the U.S. who suffer from this condition. There are a few theories as to why this date is feared and how this superstition began. Some say there are biblical origins and others say that for primitive man, the number 13 and beyond was a mystery. Why? Because he only had 10 fingers and 2 feet so man couldn't count higher than 12. Did primitive man not have any toes? Others say that a book written in 1907 by Thomas Lawson titled "Friday the Thirteenth" may have caused the superstition to continue and last to date. There is at least one Friday the 13th every year, but there is never more than 3 in any year.
The 3 most common superstitions associated with Friday the 13th are:
1-Walking under a ladder brings you bad luck.
2-Breaking a mirror brings you 7 years of bad luck.
3-A black cat crossing your path will bring you bad luck, and that is why I didn't use an image of a black cat. They get blamed for so much, unnecessarily.
The fear of the number 13 is more widespread and it is called "Triskaidekaphobia." That is why you don't see the 13th floor in many hospitals, hotels and high-rise buildings. In some countries, 13 people at the dinner table is not allowed because it is bad luck.
But, not all see the number 13 as bad luck. In China and Italy, the number 13 is a lucky number. Please feel free to add more comments on this topic that I have not covered. I would love to read them.
Information Source: timeanddate.com, thoughtco.com
Image Source: rstruckelbhshonors.wikispaces.com
Nice to see you back on the most unlucky day of the year. I have continuous bad luck with Betty walking in front of me all the time.
Thanks Mike! What was I thinking? I should have waited until Saturday to come back. LOL!
Betty is so pretty and I know how much good she brings to your life and the other cats. Did I ever tell you that I have a friend (who doesn't live close to me) and she has a sanctuary for mostly all black cats. 20 all black and 5 mixed colors.
Those crazy cat ladies, glad I'm not like them.
You are a crazy cat man with his own starter kit. : )
I'm thinking looks like John Denver, thank
god I'm a country cat 🐱 lol
Good 2CU @whatisnew! I look forward
to the smile day :-))
Those long words sound like from a mary poppins
song hehe. Friday the 13th is a lucky day, was talking
about that earlier, then someone gave me a cool rock!
Another 13 is the 13th zodiac sign, the constellation
of Ophiuchus the serpent bearer. With precession
and wobble and other things that go bump in the
night we shouldn't forget about him ;-)
Two day warning for tax day.
My black Chat cat was very good luck :-)
Oh yeah, they use to say don't step on a crack!
Take good care ❤
Awe, thanks for your kind words @shasta! It does look like John Denver! : ) Mary Poppins words is hilarious! Now why didn't I think of that? Thanks for your interesting info and I am so happy to hear that your pretty black cat (thanks for the pic) brought you good luck...we must spread the word! Yup, don't step on a crack or you will break your mother's back and if you open an umbrella indoors that will bring you bad luck. Have a great weekend my friend! : )
Welcome back dear friend!! It's nice to have a laugh with you and Jarry Pennon the cat with glasses 🤔😁 Here in italy I'm not sure the 13 is considered good.. we see it a bad day as much as the 17th .. I know it may come from the 13 apostoles at the last supper, hence the superstition when dining together 😉 Take care dearest, don't do much efforts and don't stay in front of the PC too much! (But it's awesome to see you in front of it! 💚)
Grazie my dear friend! Jarry Pennon...LOL! Thanks for the info...interesting.
It feels good to be back but don't make me laugh because it hurts too much. You are looking pretty good to me too. : ) I will do my best to listen to Dr. F3nix and thanks so much for your concern! : )
Hahaha I must be under 40 heehee.
Number 4 is not a good number in Japan. It pronounce as same as death in Japanese. It may be same in China...I can't remember if it was 4 or 9... I've heard some building in Vancouver owned by Chinese are missing some floor
You are so lucky to be under 40. : )
Thanks for your info....very interesting. I love to learn about different cultures and their beliefs. : )
I remember reading somewhere that there was a superstition that anyone with 13 letters in their name was supposedly cursed. Thanks for some background info for Friday the 13th and the unpronounceable words!! :)
I haven't heard of that one and it sure doesn't surprise me. Aren't those words crazy? I think I need to use them in a freewrite. LOL!
Really smart cat with the glasses! Ah! I smile widely now! ;))
I was born on 13th, so 13th is a lucky number for me…. ;D
“A black cat crossing your path will bring you bad luck”, this belief is the same here in Thailand.
Good job! ;)
I can certainly see why 13 is a lucky number for you! Thanks for your compliment once again and keep smiling sis! : )
You're welcome! I always smile when reading your posts, my dear sis! ;)
Aw, that warms my heart! Thanks sis! : )
It's my pleasure, my dear sis! I'm happy to hear this! ;)