Is Friday the 13th Unlucky?

Since Friday the 13th doesn't come around too often, is the day unlucky? Should 2012 seem even more unlucky since three Fridays fall on the 13th day?

This year is a bad one for those who suffer from paraskevidekatriaphobia—the fear of Friday the 13th—According to a USA Today article.

Today is the third Friday the 13th this year, with the first two having fell on Jan. 13 and April 13. Not only is this more than usual for a given year, but for the first time since 1984, these three Friday the 13ths are exactly 13 weeks apart, the article said.

Cue Goosebumps?

Many events include the number 13, as pointed out in several mythological, spiritual and religious traditions, according to the article. For example, 13 people dined at the Last Supper before Judas betrayed Jesus, according to Christian belief. A Norse myth warns that consequences await situations where people dine in groups of 13. The article goes on to say that the Knights Templar were imprisoned on Friday the 13th and that other bad events took place on the date.

A Village Voice article said that, according to the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in Asheville, North Carolina, 17 to 21 million people in the states suffer from a fear of Friday the 13th.

But the date is not viewed as a negative date by all. Many pagans consider 13 a lucky number, the USA Today article said, because it corresponds with the number of full moons that happen every year.

Actually, the date isn't even that special. According to University of Delaware math professor Tom Fernsler the 13th falls on a Friday more than any other day in a 400-year period.

But like many human beliefs, according to an article on How Stuff Works, the fear of Friday the 13th isn't grounded in scientific logic, and most people believe the day is unlucky for its own sake, without any need for logical or illogical explanations.

So what do you think? Is Friday the 13th unlucky?