Unlucky 13

[Magicman]

where does the origin of 13 being unlucky come from?

[flirty41]

I don't know the answer - but everyone make sure they have their lucky rabbit's paw with them on Friday!!!!

[TheHitMaker]

I believe the original thought came from the 13 disciples, the 13th, Judas Iscariot, doing the dirty on Jesus for a handful of silver. From this it was considered unlucky to have 13 dining at one time (which is odd, since the last supper had 14, including Jesus himself), and from there 13 was considered unlucky generally.

[andy hughes]

The origin of the superstition is connected with the thirteen at the Last Supper, but it is a little more sinister - witches' covens for Black Masses always number thirteen, in mockery of the Last Supper, and this is why the number is said to be unlucky.

[WaldoMcFroog]

Brewers Book Of Phrase And Fable says this: "It is said that the origin of sitting down 13 at a table being unlucky is because, at a banquet in Valhalla, Loki once intruded, making 13 guests and Balder was slain. In Christian countries, the superstition was confirmed by the Last Supper of Christ and his twelve apostles. "

[Bigartie]

The number of turns on a hangmans noose is 13.

[sft42]

i can only concur with the previous answers and add that the technical term for a fear of the number thirteen is Triskadecaphobia

[morpheus]

the last of the Knights Templar were executed on Friday 13th

[andyp]

Friday 13th 1307 and all the Knights Templar are declared "heretic" overnight (Knight?) by some Froggie king and most are burned at the stake. Prety unlucky

[j1_69]

I believe hitmaker is right. judas as the 13th person who betrayed jesus, and then jesus died on the cross on friday which is why friday 13th has become what it is today.

[psmorrison]

Following on from Hitmaker's answer, there were twelve disciples at the last supper (and Jesus made 13)

[I_amskitz]

I don't know the origin, but I would like to clear up something. There were indeed twelve disciples, Judas Iscariot being one of them. However Judas was dismissed before the end of the meal. When Jesus concluded his covenant with his disciples by passing the unleavened bread and wine, Judas was absent. Therefore only twelve were at the table. Whether or not Judas being the dismissed thirteenth is the origin I do not know

[Ashley]

13 is my lucky number!! I was born on Friday the 13th at quater past one- which could well have been 13:13. Who knows! Dun dun duuuuun!!

[fab]

i don't know weather this is true, but i heared a interesting version in a movie (he died with a felafel in his hand): they say that there was an ancient matriarchic culture, that has been forgotten or wiped out of history. in this culture there were 13 months, what makes sense because the moon circles the earth 13 times a year (364:28=13) also, the female menstruation cycle takes 28 days. anyway, in this ancient culture, in the 13th month there was a human sacrisfice, usually a man of high status. but one day a man came to power and changed the system by simply removeing the 13th month to avoid this bloody custom. so here we are now with 12 months and a patriarchic system and the number 13 considered being unlucky.