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January 13, 2006
Paraskevidekatriaphobics Unite
Paraskevidekatriaphobia is the Fear of Friday the 13th also called
triskaidekaphobia. The sixth day of week, Friday, and the number 13 have bad
reputations in some cultures. But the number 13 is lucky to the Chinese.
It was lucky to the ancient Eqyptians as well.
According to some Adam and Eve were banished from the Garden on a Friday;
Noah's flood and the Crucifixion were on Fridays. Thank God it's Friday takes
on a new meaning now!
In India the Hindus also believe that the number 13 is unlucky, and that it
is always unlucky to have 13 people together at dinner, which is also a Viking
superstition. There were 13 at The Last Supper. And did I mention that the
Crucifixion took place on a Friday!
The most interesting story is about the Knights Templar; a special class of
warrior priests commissioned by the Catholic church to protect Christian
travellers. After hundreds of years they became notorious and accused of
corruption. On Friday, October 13, 1307, then King Phillip IV of France ordered
all of the Knights Templar to be rounded up and executed, with the Pope's
blessings. It certainly was not a good day for those guys.
Read more folklore about Friday the 13th on About.com.
Now what is the meaning of a full moon on Friday the 13th??
Posted by photocartoonist at January 13, 2006 12:44 AM