Friday the 13th: History and Superstitions to Know

It’s Friday the 13th — the only one this year! Does that make it luckier?

The summer solstice is just around the corner, bringing the longest day of the year. Maybe this eerie Friday is just clearing the air before the sun takes center stage.

Either way, today can serve as a day to reflect and let go, to create a chance for renewal.

What's the history of Friday the 13th?

Friday the 13th’s reputation for bad luck largely originates from religious and cultural beliefs. In Christianity, it is associated with the Last Supper, where Judas, the 13th guest, betrayed Jesus, leading to his crucifixion on a Friday, according to USA TODAY.

Norse mythology also contributes, with the 13th god, Loki, bringing chaos and death.

This superstition deepened over time, particularly after the mass arrest of the Knights Templar on Friday, October 13th, 1307, further cementing the day’s unlucky status.

When is the next Friday the 13th?

This is the only Friday the 13th of 2025.

Next year will feature three Friday the 13ths — spanning February, March and November — the maximum possible in a single calendar year.

7 Friday the 13th superstitions to either avoid or pursue

To avoid:

• Breaking a mirror: Breaking a mirror is said to bring seven years of bad luck, so handle glass carefully today.
• Walking under a ladder: This superstition stems from the idea that walking under a ladder disrupts the triangle, a symbol of life, and invites misfortune.
• Spilling salt: Accidentally spilling salt has been seen as bad luck for centuries. To counteract, throw a pinch over your left shoulder to ward off evil.
• Crossing paths with a black cat: Black cats, often associated with witches and bad omens, are considered unlucky, especially when they cross your path on Friday the 13th.
• Stepping on Cracks: The rhyme "step on a crack, break your mother's back" comes from the idea that stepping on cracks invites bad energy or harm.

To pursue:

• Carrying a lucky charm: Items like four-leaf clovers, horseshoes or rabbit’s feet are believed to bring good luck and protection from bad vibes.
• Knocking on wood: This age-old superstition is believed to prevent bad luck or jinxes. If you say something hopeful, knock on wood to "seal the deal" and keep good fortune on your side.