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Friday and 13th and other superstitions

Friday and 13th and other superstitions

I wrote this on Friday the 13th but it took a few days before I was able to post it. There are many superstitions in the world. Among them, is fear of the numbers four, six, and 13, particularly Friday the 13th. Here are my poetic reflections followed by a list of suggested readings on this topic. Enjoy and would love to hear back from my readers on this or any other topic.
Update:

Friday the 13th

Friday the 13th
Day of fear and dread
Death nearby

Friday the 13th Drabble Entry

On Friday the 13th, Sam Adams got up at dawn, dreading the day as he was superstitious and always anxious. He drank black coffee, ate his breakfast, and went to his job teaching at the US Army base in South Korea, wondering how the day might turn out. On the way to the base, he saw a mysterious large black cat who smiled at him before disappearing. As the sun set he got on a bus and saw the lady of his dreams getting off the bus. She smiled at him, laughing before being hit by the bus and dying.

There are many superstitious In the world.

In the West -
The number 13
Is considered particularly unlucky,
On Friday for some reason.

There are words for it.

Triskaidekaphobia.
Paraskevidekatriaphobia.
Frigga triskaidekaphobia.

I don’t have the fear.
But many do
So why is Friday the 13th so unlucky?

The hearsay is.
That is because of Judas.
The Betrayer of Jesus
Was the 13th dinner guest?
On the Last Supper.

Fear of the number four

A counterpart
To the fear of 13th
In the west

Is the fear of the number four?
Throughout East Asia
And the East Asia diaspora worldwide
Called Tetraphobia

This has to do with the fact.
The word “death” and “four”
Are homophones in Chinese?

This originates from Classical Chinese,
in which the pronunciation
of the word for "four" (四, is in Mandarin)
is very similar.
to that of the word for "death" (死, is in Mandarin),
and remains so in the other countries' Sino-Xenic vocabulary.
(Korean sa for both.
Japanese she for both.
Vietnamese tự "four" vs. tự "death").

So, throughout Asia
And Asian communities
There are no fourth floors.
Sometimes they use the English word.
Or simply the letter F

And for good measure
No 13th floor.
Or room 666
The fabled number
Of the beast

The story is that.
666 6th avenues
Was renamed.
To some number
On Lexington Avenue

And in SF
444 buildings
Are not to be found.

The Number of The Beast

In some cultures
The number 6
Is considered bad luck.
The number of the beast

Javid Kushner famously bought.
666 6th avenues

Almost lost a billion dollars.
Until he renamed it
Something Lexington Avenue

Fear of the number 13

The word for fear of Friday the 13th is either paraskevidekatriaphobia or friggatriskaidekaphobia12. These terms are derived from Greek and Norse words for Friday and thirteen, as well as the word phobia, which means fear12.

People fear Friday the 13th because of various superstitions and folklore that associate the number 13 and the day of Friday with bad luck, misfortune, or death. Some possible reasons why people fear Friday the 13th is:

In Norse mythology, there was a dinner party for 12 gods in Valhalla, but Loki, the trickster god, crashed the party and became the 13th guest. This resulted in chaos and the death of one of the gods3.

In Christianity, Judas, the disciple who betrayed Jesus, was the 13th person to sit at the Last Supper. Jesus was crucified on a Friday, which is also known as Good Friday3.
In tarot card games, the Death card is numbered 13 and represents death and misfortune1.

There is a superstition that if 13 people sit at a table, one of them will die within a year1.
Some historical events that happened on Friday the 13th are considered unlucky or tragic, such as the bombing of Buckingham Palace in 1940, the murder of Kitty Genovese in 1964, the Andes flight disaster in 1972, and the declaration of COVID-19 as a national emergency in 202045.

However, there is no scientific evidence that Friday the 13th is unluckier than any other day or date. It is mostly a cultural phenomenon that has been influenced by media, literature, and folklore over time. Some people may even consider Friday the 13th as a lucky day or a day to celebrate3.

Friday the 13th - Origins, History & Superstition

"Fear of 13" redirects here. For the film, see The Fear of 13.
Elevator panel in a building in the United States, where floors proceed from 12 to 14.
Triskaidekaphobia (/ˌtrɪskaɪˌdɛkəˈfoʊbiə/ TRIS-kye-DEK-ə-FOH-bee-ə, /ˌtrɪskə-/ TRIS-kə-; from Ancient Greek τρεισκαίδεκα (treiskaídeka) 'thirteen', and Ancient Greek φόβος (phóbos) 'fear')[1] is fear or avoidance of the number 13. It is also a reason for the fear of Friday the 13th, called paraskevidekatriaphobia (from Greek Παρασκευή (Paraskevi) 'Friday', Greek δεκατρείς (dekatreís) 'thirteen', and Ancient Greek φόβος (phóbos) 'fear') or friggatriskaidekaphobia (from Old Norse Frigg 'Frigg', Ancient Greek τρεισκαίδεκα (treiskaídeka) 'thirteen', and Ancient Greek φόβος (phóbos) 'fear').

The term was used as early as in 1910 by Isador Carita in Abnormal Psychology.[2]
Origins[edit]

The supposed unlucky nature of the number 13 has several theories of origin. Although several authors claim it is an older belief, no such evidence has been documented so far. The earliest attestation of 13 being unlucky is first found after the Middle Ages in Europe.

Playing cards[edit]

The Death card, number 13, from an 18th century Tarot deck
Tarot card games have been attested since at least around 1450 with the Visconti-Sforza Tarot. One of the trump cards in the tarot represents Death and is numbered 13 in several variants.
In 1781, Antoine Court de Gobelin writes of this card's presence in the Tarot of Marseilles that the number thirteen was "bonjours regarde comme malheureux" ("always looked upon as unlucky").[3] In 1784, Johann Gottlob Immanuel Breitkopf cites Gébelin and reaffirms that the tarot card number 13 is death and misfortune ("Der Tod, Unglück").[4]
13 at a table[edit]

Since at least 1774, a superstition of "thirteen at a table" has been documented: if 13 people sit at a table, then one of them must die within a year.[5] The origin of the superstition is unclear and various theories of its source have been presented over the years.

In 1774, Johann August Ephraim Götze speculated:[5]
Da ich aus der Erfahrung weis, daß der Aberglaube nichts liebers, als Religionssachen, zu seinen Beweisen macht; so glaube ich bey nahe nicht zu irren, wenn ich den Ursprung des Gegenwärtigen mit der Zahl XIII, von der Stelle des Evangelii herleite, wo der Heiland, bey der Ostermahlzeit, mit zwölf Jüngern zu Tische saß.
Since I know from experience that superstition loves nothing better than religious matters as its proofs, I believe I'm almost unmistaken when I derive the origin of the matter of the number XIII from the passage of the Gospel where the Savior sat at table with twelve disciples at the Easter meal.
From the 1890s, several English-language sources reiterated the idea that at the Last Supper, Judas, the disciple who betrayed Jesus, was the 13th to sit at the table.[6] The Bible says nothing about the order in which the Apostles sat, but there were thirteen people at the table
.
In 1968, Douglas Hill in Magic and Superstitions recounts a Norse myth about 12 gods having a dinner party in Valhalla. The trickster god Loki, who was not invited, arrived as the 13th guest and arranged for Höðr to shoot Balder with a mistletoe-tipped arrow. This story was also echoed in Holiday folklore, phobias, and fun by folklore historian Donald Dossey, citing Hill.[7][8] However, in the Prose Edda by Snorri Sturluson, the story about Loki and Balder does not emphasize that there are 12 gods, nor does it talk about a dinner party or the number 13.

For more info see the following (from Bing search chat box results)


List of phobias

Some common phobias are:

Arachnophobia: an intense fear of spiders and other arachnids12
Ophidiophobia: an intense fear of snakes12
Acrophobia: an intense fear of heights12
Aerophobia: an intense fear of flying12
Cynophobia: an intense fear of dogs12
Astraphobia: an intense fear of thunder and lightning12
Trypanophobia: an intense fear of injections12
Social phobia: an intense fear of social interactions13
Agoraphobia: an intense fear of places that are difficult to escape, sometimes involving a fear of crowded or open spaces13
Mysophobia: an intense fear of germs, dirt, and other contaminants1

These phobias can cause symptoms such as nausea, trembling, rapid heartbeat, feelings of unreality, and being preoccupied with the fear object. They can also interfere with a person’s daily life and well-being. Phobias are treatable conditions that can be minimized or eliminated with cognitive and behavioral therapy techniques and medication. If you or someone you know suffers from a phobia, you may want to seek professional help.

Common superstitions

Superstitions are beliefs that certain actions or events can influence the outcome of something else, usually positively or negatively. There are many common superstitions around the world, and some of them may vary depending on the culture or religion of the people who believe in them. Here are some examples of common superstitions and their possible origins:
• Knocking on wood: This superstition is based on the idea that wood has magical properties that can protect you from bad luck or evil spirits. Some people believe that this superstition comes from ancient pagan rituals of tapping on trees to ask for the favor of the spirits that lived in them12.
• Wishing on a star: This superstition is based on the idea that stars are powerful celestial beings that can grant your wishes if you look at them and say them out loud. Some people believe that this superstition comes from ancient Greek mythology, where stars were associated with gods and goddesses12.
• Breaking a mirror: This superstition is based on the idea that mirrors reflect your soul, and breaking one means breaking your soul and bringing bad luck for seven years. Some people believe that this superstition comes from ancient Roman times when mirrors were expensive and rare, and breaking one was considered a serious offense12.
• Four-leaf clover: This superstition is based on the idea that four-leaf clovers are rare and lucky, and finding one can bring you good fortune. Some people believe that this superstition comes from ancient Celtic culture, where four-leaf clovers were seen as symbols of the four elements: earth, air, fire, and water12.
• Bad news comes in threes: This superstition is based on the idea that bad things tend to happen in groups of three, and after the third one, you can expect some relief. Some people believe that this superstition comes from the Christian belief in the Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit12.
• Don’t open an umbrella inside: This superstition is based on the idea that opening an umbrella inside can bring bad luck or anger to the spirits of the house. Some people believe that this superstition comes from ancient Egyptian times, where umbrellas were used to shield the pharaohs from the sun, and opening one inside was considered disrespectful12.
• Lucky penny: This superstition is based on the idea that finding a penny on the ground can bring you good luck, especially if it is a heads-up. Some people believe that this superstition comes from ancient times, where coins were made of precious metals and had value12.
• Beginner’s luck: This superstition is based on the idea that beginners or novices tend to have more luck than experts or professionals when they try something new. Some people believe that this superstition comes from the notion that beginners are more relaxed and confident than experts, who may be more stressed or anxious32.
These are just some of the common superstitions that people believe in. There are many more superstitions out there, and some of them may be very personal or specific to certain situations. Superstitions can sometimes help people cope with uncertainty or fear, but they can also limit their choices or actions. Superstitions are not based on facts or evidence, but rather on beliefs and traditions. Therefore, it is important to be aware of them, but not to let them control your life.

666 6th Avenue

There is some controversy surrounding the building at 666 6th Avenue in New York City, which is not to be confused with the more famous 666 Fifth Avenue that was owned by the Kushner family. According to the web search results, here are some of the reasons why 666 6th Avenue is controversial:
• The building was originally built in 1897 as a hotel and restaurant, but it was later converted into a warehouse and showroom for hotel and club equipment1
• The building has a distinctive facade with a large number 666 on it, which some people may associate with the biblical “number of the beast” or Satanism1
• The building was the site of a fatal fire in 1912, which killed six people and injured several others. The fire was caused by an explosion of gasoline stored in the basement1
• The building was also the site of a murder-suicide in 2015 when a man shot his wife and then himself in their apartment on the fifth floor. The motive for the killing was unclear, but some speculated that it was related to financial troubles or domestic violence2

666 Fifth Avenue

666 Fifth Avenue is a skyscraper in New York City that has a long and controversial history. Here are some of the main events that shaped its story:
• The building was originally designed by Carson & Lundin and built by Tishman Realty and Construction from 1955 to 1957. It had a distinctive facade with a large 666 address on it, which some people may associate with the biblical “number of the beast” or Satanism1
• The building was the site of a fatal fire in 1912, which killed six people and injured several others. The fire was caused by an explosion of gasoline stored in the basement2
• The building was sold to Sumitomo Realty & Development in the late 1990s, and then to Tishman Speyer in 20001
• In 2007, Kushner Companies, led by Jared Kushner, bought the building for $1.8 billion, which was the most expensive real estate deal in New York City’s history at the time. The purchase was ill-timed, as the 2008 economic collapse dealt a blow to the real estate industry and the building’s value3
• Kushner Companies struggled with financing and debt for the building and sold off parts of it to other investors, such as Vornado Realty Trust. Kushner also searched for foreign partners to help redevelop the building into a luxury tower designed by Zaha Hadid, but faced conflicts of interest and media scrutiny due to his role as a senior adviser to President Trump342
• In 2018, Brookfield Properties leased the whole building for 99 years and hired Kohn Pedersen Fox to renovate it extensively. As part of the renovation, the building was renumbered to 660 Fifth Avenue145
The building is expected to reopen in 2022 with a new facade, lobby, and office spaces5
Learn more:
1. en.wikipedia.org2. thedailybeast.com3. cbsnews.com4. money.cnn.com5. post.com6. sixsixtyfifthave.com+3 more
The history of 666 Fifth Avenue is a story of ambition, controversy, and debt. Here are some of the main events that shaped its story:
• The building was originally designed by Carson & Lundin and built for its developer Tishman Realty and Construction from 1955 to 1957. It had a distinctive facade with a large 666 address on it, which some people may associate with the biblical “number of the beast” or Satanism1
• The building was sold to Sumitomo Realty & Development in the late 1990s, and then to Tishman Speyer in 20001
• In 2007, Kushner Companies, led by Jared Kushner, bought the building for $1.8 billion, which was the most expensive real estate deal in New York City’s history at the time. The purchase was ill-timed, as the 2008 economic collapse dealt a blow to the

Note: I cured my Cynophobia: an intense fear of dogs by having two dogs in my life.

Fear of Number 4

this (fear of the number 4 sic) originates from Classical Chinese, in which the pronunciation of the word for "four" (四, is in Mandarin) is very similar to that of the word for "death" (死, is in Mandarin), and remains so in the other countries' Sino-Xenic vocabulary (Korean sa for both; Japanese she for both; Vietnamese tự "four" vs. tự "death").

The number 4 is considered unlucky in some Asian cultures, such as China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam because it sounds similar or identical to the word for death in those languages. This is called tetraphobia, which means fear of the number 412

Some examples of how this fear affects people’s behavior are:
Many buildings skip the fourth floor, or use a different name for it, such as F or 3A2
Some people avoid phone numbers, addresses, license plates, and product names that contain the number 412
Some people avoid using the number 4 in dates, such as birthdays, weddings, or anniversaries1
Some people avoid giving gifts or money in multiples of four, as it may imply bad luck or death1

However, not all Asian cultures have the same attitude towards the number 4. For example, in Vietnam, the number 4 does not sound like death because of the different tones and pronunciations. Also, some people may consider the number 4 as an auspicious number, depending on their personal beliefs or experiences23

Fear of number 6

The number 6 is not universally considered unlucky. In fact, in some cultures, such as Chinese, Japanese, and Korean, the number 6 is considered a good number, because it sounds like the word for "smooth" or "well"12 The number 6 is also associated with harmony, balance, and love in numerology34
However, in some Western cultures, the number 6 may be seen as unlucky or evil, especially when it is repeated three times, as in 666. This is because 666 is known as the "number of the beast" in the Book of Revelation in the Bible, and it is often associated with Satan or the Antichrist1 Some people may avoid using the number 6 or 666 in their names, phone numbers, addresses, or product labels, because they fear it may bring bad luck or misfortune1

Therefore, the perception of the number 6 as unlucky depends on the cultural and religious context of the person who uses it. There is no definitive answer to why the number 6 is considered unlucky by some people and lucky by others. It is mostly a matter of personal belief and interpretation.