5 Things You Shouldn't Do That Bring Bad Luck on Friday the 13th

We're all familiar with the date Friday the 13th and most of us, one way or another, acknowledge it as an unlucky day. The notion that Friday the 13th is unlucky blends together religious interpretations, ancient folklore, and long-held cultural anxieties into one ominous date.

What is Friday the 13th?

There are two reasons that most people focus on the number and day, and that's that Christianity views it with suspicion for religious reasons: there were said to be 13 attendees at the Last Supper (including Judas, the betrayer), and most Christians believe that Jesus was crucified on a Friday, making both elements unfortunate. Both the day and number then combined, and as history has passed, Friday the 13th has been seen as an unlucky day.

This superstition has further roots in Norse mythology as there's said to be a tale of the mischievous god Loki being the 13th person invited to a banquet, which later caused the death of the god Balder. Stories such as these have been told through the years, each reinforcing the idea that the number 13 is unlucky. Although the superstition dates back centuries, it is still observed today; whether by cautious avoidance or simple humour.

5 Things You Shouldn't Do That Bring Bad Luck

Don't Open an Umbrella Indoors

Opening an umbrella in the house is said to invite bad luck. It's thought to originate in ancient Egypt, where the umbrella was thought to represent a shield protecting the owner from the gods. Thus opening it inside disrespects the powers it represents. Some link the superstition to the late Victorian era, when early umbrellas had sharp metal frames that made opening them indoors a risky business.

Don't Walk Under a Ladder

The superstition regarding ladders may have come from the shape the ladder makes against the wall. The three-sided shape is thought to be representative of the Holy Trinity. Going beneath it is seen as potentially breaking this divine structure, though arguably you would still suffer a nasty blow from falling from a ladder, regardless of its position.

Don't Break a Mirror

It's said that breaking a mirror can result in up to seven years of bad luck. Ancient Romans believed that a mirror captured a reflection of not only your appearance, but your soul too. Because it was thought that a life span regenerates every seven years, anyone that broke their mirror could supposedly look forward to a bad seven years due to the damaged reflection of their soul.

Don't Let a Black Cat Cross Your Path

Black cats are the subject of superstitions all over the world, often having completely opposing meanings; however the majority of Western cultures associate them with bad luck, often linking the animal to witches in the Middle Ages. The date may cause those on Friday the 13th to look upon a black cat with a suspicious eye, though there's unlikely to be any evidence that this superstition affects cats themselves.

ALSO READ- 12 Real-Life Tragedies That Took Place on Friday the 13th

Don't Spill Salt

For many centuries salt has been seen as a valuable substance. Spilling it was seen as wasteful and therefore unlucky, leading to the tradition of throwing a pinch over your left shoulder, thus blinding the devil should he be lurking there with intent to harm.

Although you may not agree with any of the above, there's no denying that Friday the 13th manages to get people thinking and pausing for the entire 24-hour period. It goes to show how much our history affects and shapes our modern day traditions; however whether we believe in them or not, one thing's for sure, they certainly keep things interesting!

ALSO READ- Friday the 13th: 5 Zodiac Signs Most Likely To Attract Bad Luck, According to Astrologer

Keep reading Herzindagi for more such stories.

Image Courtesy: Freepik