No, the blog title is not a code. It;s just a reframe. I wrote the number 13 down in computer code (which is Base 2); and look- not a shiver runs up or down our spine. 1101. Or, what about when I used Base 5. That result was 24.
But, we all have our share of illogic running rampant from sea to shining sea. Climate change is a hoax. GMO will kill you. Coronavirus is contained or it’s a hoax- depending on the day of the week. Or, this one- cutting taxes to zero will raise more revenue for the US.
Why should a sentient being be surprised that folks are gripped by paraskevidekatriaphobia right now?
Yep. Today is Friday the 13th. And, folks are afraid of their shadows- and everything else. Really, now…
How many of you are like me who find it hilarious that we have buildings with a missing 13th floor? Like calling the thirteenth story the 14th floor is going to change how things are.
What you may not know is that this rabid fear is pretty new. Not only new- but it took the dawn of modern science, back in the late 19th century (the late 1800’s), to awaken this fear. You might also find it hilarious that, even back then, folks were complaining how fast things were changing.
As best as I can tell, triskaidekaphobia (fear of the number 13) is attributable to the crucifixion of Jesus. There were 13 folks who attended the Last Supper (Pesach Seder, I might add)- and then Jesus was killed the next day, which was Friday. (By the way, if this is true, then the genealogy provided for Jesus’ birth and death are in trouble. Because the crucifixion would not have occurred on a Friday if Jesus really was born in the year 0. But, that doesn’t change the irrational fear of 13 in any way.)
Or, maybe the fear of the number 13 started in the 14th century (making it during the 1300s!) when folks thought starting new projects on a Friday would bring about their demise. As would the outcome of any trip beginning on a Friday. (You have to check Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales to find those references.)
Nevertheless, it seems paraskevidekatriaphobia really took off in the 20th Century.
But, guess what. It’s the 21st century. It’s time to put childish things to bed. Enjoy your Friday 13th of January all day.
Oh, it’s also the 220th day of Tevet. Which means only 23 more days until Tu B’Shvat (The Jewish New Year for Trees!)
I agree with you on the nonsense! My birthday is on the 13th and I have always felt it was a lucky number for me.
Like so many of the other superstitions you mention, another is the belief that witches or a particular food are evil.
The funny things people believe…
You bvet!
If my mom were here she wouldn’t want to leave the house today. Like my mom my husband is also superstitious so I am not going to mention today’s date to him. As for me its just another day.
Me, too, Glenda.
I totally forgot that today was Friday the 13th, so I am thinking I don’t have this phobia. 🙂
I’m with you, Angie.
You know, Roy, I always maintain that changing the number of a floor in a building does not change the order of things. In our numbering system, 13 follows 12, so naming that floor 14 doesn’t make it so, any more than me calling a rose a tulip makes it one.
I didn’t know that this senseless fear of a number only began in the 20th century. Thanks for enlightening me on that.
Glad to share.
We were married in June 13th. I felt silly worrying about whether it was bad luck. We’re still here 19 years later, and more in love than ever (most days.)
Glad to hear that your marriage is thriving
I enjoyed today. I consider 13 as a lucky number. Maybe I should have bought a lottery ticket, although I don’t normally do that. I also wanted to comment on the year of Jesus’ birth, which various scholars have tried to calculate according to historical data from Roman sources (i.e. dates of the census ordered by Caesar Augustus and the death of Herod). It seems scholars are centering around either 5 BCE or 6 BCE. For the death, I’ve seen both 33 CE and a range between 30 CE and 36 CE.
Love the humor!
Gald to oblige.