06/13/2025
Have you ever wondered why Friday the 13th carries such an ominous reputation? The superstition actually stems from two separate, long-standing fears. The number 13 has been regarded as unlucky for centuries—a belief known as triskaidekaphobia. One reason may be its association with the Last Supper, where Judas Iscariot, the betrayer, was said to be the 13th guest. Meanwhile, Friday has also been seen as an unfortunate day, tied to events like the crucifixion of Jesus in Christian tradition and once reserved for ex*****ons in medieval England.
These two superstitions converged in a particularly grim way on October 13, 1307. On that Friday, King Philip IV of France launched a brutal crackdown on the Knights Templar, leading to the arrest, torture, and ex*****on of many members. The dramatic nature of that event helped seal the date’s ominous status. In later centuries, pop culture embraced and magnified the fear surrounding Friday the 13th—securing its notoriety as a day of bad luck. But for a turtle, it’s just another perfectly good day to stick its neck out.