13 Shocking Facts About The First Friday The 13th And Its $900 Million Curse

Every year, the first occurrence of Friday the 13th sends a shiver down the spine of the highly superstitious, marking the return of the world’s most notorious day of ill-omen. For those who suffer from Paraskevidekatriaphobia, the fear is real, but for historians and economists, the day is a fascinating blend of ancient mythology, medieval history, and modern financial impact.

As of December 2025, the next "first" Friday the 13th of the year is set to fall on February 13, 2026, kicking off a year that will feature three such dates on the calendar. This deep dive uncovers the shocking, little-known history of the day, revealing why its curse is far more complex—and costly—than you ever realized.

The Unholy Trinity: How Friday and the Number 13 Became a Curse

The modern superstition surrounding Friday the 13th is not a single, ancient belief but a convergence of two separate, age-old anxieties: the bad luck associated with the number 13 and the ominous nature of Friday. The merging of these two elements into a single, terrifying date is a relatively modern phenomenon, first explicitly documented in the 19th century in the West.

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1. The Sinister Origin of the Number 13 (Triskaidekaphobia)

The fear of the number 13, known as Triskaidekaphobia, has roots that stretch back into ancient history and religion.

• Norse Mythology: One of the oldest tales involves a dinner party in Valhalla for 12 gods. Loki, the god of mischief, arrived uninvited as the 13th guest, leading to the death of the beloved god Balder and plunging the world into darkness.
• Christian Tradition: The most famous association is with The Last Supper, where there were 13 people present—Jesus and his 12 Apostles. The 13th person to sit at the table was Judas Iscariot, the betrayer of Christ. This connection cemented the number 13 as a symbol of betrayal and death.

2. The Ominous Day: Why Friday is Unlucky

Friday has long been considered an ill-fated day in Christian tradition, primarily because it is believed to be the day that Christ was crucified. Other dark events tied to Friday include:

• The day Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit.
• The day of the Great Flood.
• The day the Temple of Solomon was destroyed.

In Norse tradition, the day is named after the goddess Frigg (or the Roman equivalent, Venus), who was associated with love and fertility, but the Christian influence eventually superseded this, turning the day into one of penance.

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The True Historical ‘First Friday the 13th’ and the Knights Templar

While the superstitions were ancient, the specific fear of the combined date only truly exploded into popular culture due to a pivotal historical event that gave the day its most chilling narrative.

3. The Dawn Raid of 1307

The single most cited historical event that is said to have solidified Friday the 13th as a day of misfortune is the arrest of the Knights Templar.

• On Friday, October 13, 1307, King Philip IV of France ordered a massive, coordinated dawn raid to arrest thousands of members of the powerful and wealthy religious military order, the Knights Templar.
• The King sought to seize their immense wealth and eliminate his significant debt to the order.
• The Grand Master, Jacques de Molay, and the other Templars were tortured into confessing heresy, sacrilege, and other false charges.
• Legend states that De Molay, as he was burned at the stake, cursed King Philip IV and Pope Clement V to meet him before God within a year, a curse that, eerily, came true.

This dramatic, violent act of state-sanctioned persecution on that specific date is often credited with transforming the day into a widespread, enduring symbol of calamity and betrayal.

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The Modern Curse: Economic Impact and Pop Culture Entities

In the modern world, the fear of Friday the 13th is so pervasive that it has a measurable, negative economic impact. It also has a strange, contradictory presence in popular culture, where it is both feared and celebrated.

4. The $900 Million Economic Curse

The superstition is not just a personal phobia; it's a significant financial drain. Studies have estimated that businesses in the U.S. lose an estimated $800 million to $900 million on Friday the 13th.

• The loss is attributed to superstitious individuals avoiding normal activities, such as traveling, making major purchases, or even going to work.
• Some people refuse to fly, leading to fewer airline bookings. Others cancel or postpone elective surgeries.
• The stock market, however, is often surprisingly calm, with average gains reported to be 0.2% or less, suggesting that financial professionals are, perhaps, less superstitious.

5. The Phobia Has Two Names

The clinical fear of Friday the 13th is so recognized it has two distinct, lengthy names, both derived from Greek and Norse roots:

• Paraskevidekatriaphobia: The most common term, derived from the Greek words *Paraskevi* (Friday) and *dekatria* (thirteen).
• Friggatriskaidekaphobia: An alternative term, which references the Norse goddess Frigg, after whom Friday is named in some traditions.

6. Pop Culture’s Unlucky-Lucky Day

Despite its reputation, the day has become a strange pop culture phenomenon, often associated with things that are, ironically, celebrated.

• The Horror Franchise: The iconic Friday the 13th film franchise, featuring the terrifying character Jason Voorhees, is the most famous modern association, turning the date into a horror holiday.
• Heavy Metal’s Birthday: The genre of heavy metal music is often cited as being born on a Friday the 13th, giving the day a rebellious, powerful connotation.
• Taylor Swift’s Lucky Charm: Pop superstar Taylor Swift has famously embraced the number 13 as her lucky number. She was born on the 13th, turned 13 on a Friday, and her first album went gold in 13 weeks.

7. The First Friday the 13th is "Blame Someone Else Day"

In a final, curious twist of fate, the first occurrence of Friday the 13th in any given year is officially recognized as National Blame Someone Else Day in some parts of the US.

This unofficial holiday, first observed in 1982, encourages people to shift responsibility for their misfortunes onto others, perfectly encapsulating the superstitious spirit of the day. It’s a lighthearted acknowledgment of the belief that on this day, bad luck is simply an external force, and not your fault at all.

Upcoming First Friday the 13th Dates and Frequency

The frequency of Friday the 13th is more consistent than you might think. It occurs at least once a year, and never more than three times. On average, it occurs once every seven months.

A month will have a Friday the 13th if the month begins on a Sunday. Knowing this pattern, you can prepare for the next 'unlucky' dates.

• First Friday the 13th of 2026: Friday, February 13, 2026
• Next Occurrences in 2026: Friday, March 13, 2026, and Friday, November 13, 2026 (a rare three-occurrence year)
• Last Occurrence of 2025: Friday, June 13, 2025

Whether you are a paraskevidekatriaphobe who avoids black cats and ladders or an enthusiast who celebrates with a horror movie marathon, the first Friday the 13th of the year remains a powerful cultural phenomenon—a day where history, superstition, and a nine-figure economic loss converge.