Why we are afraid of Friday the 13th

What do you know about Friday the 13^th?

What numbers are bad luck for you?

As humans we give special meaning to some numbers. An example of this fascination is refusing to put a floor 13 in many tall building. Many building go directly from floor 12 to 14.  

In nearly every culture, the number 13 means bad or unlucky. It comes from hundreds of years of superstition. Some who study history say that maybe 13 comes from Jesus Christ’s Last Supper. There were 13 people—Jesus and his twelve apostles—seated around a table. Judas, the 13th person became the one apostle who betrayed Jesus. So many people began to see 13 as the unlucky number.

And there have been other strange happenings in history with the number that are bad luck.

For example, in some ancient civilizations, 13 moon cycles were considered unlucky. And as we know, there’s Friday the 13th. This goes back to the Crusades: exactly, Friday, October 13, 1307. On that date, King Philip IV of France had the Knights Templar killed and tortured. The Knights Templar were a highly respected group made up of the most skilled group of fighters.

Finally this fear of the number 13 came to America. When the first tall building began being made, most buildings did not have a 13th floor. The owners were afraid that people would not want to rent space in their building.

Samuel Lewis, general manager of the Lefrak Management Company, said that this superstition has affected the majority of buildings in America. He thinks that 90 percent don’t have a 13th floor. Owners are simply afraid people won’t rent.

For those people who are worried about renting they can rest easy. Out of 629 apartment buildings in New York City with 13 or more floors, only 9 percent actually had the 13^th floor labeled 13. Some changed them to: “14,” “M,” or, if 13 is the top floor, “PH.” (That means “penthouse.”)

Despite this fear it appears as though now we care more about the 13th-floor view than about the omen of living in a building with a 13^th floor. Every new building in one part of New York has a 13^th floor with 13 written on it. And this hasn’t deterred renters at all.

Try to guess the meaning of the words in bold and match them with their closest meaning from the choices in the right. Some of the answers are very close and have similar meaning. The meaning of these words is how they are used in the reading. Some of these words have different meanings in the dictionary depending on how they are used.

 The answers are below the table.

A=1, B=8, C=5, D=2, E=7, F=6, G=4, H=3

Some example sentences using the new words or phrases from the meaning of how they are used in the reading to help you understand better.

1. The history of the Korean writing system is fascinating.

2. She felt betrayed because he secretly dated her best friend.

3. A famous superstition is that black cats bring evil.

4. In ancient times Korea was three kingdoms.

5. We can rest easy now because there are no more exams.

6. Despite the heavy rain, many people want to go outdoors.

7. In some parts of Asia, the number 4 is a bad omen for death.

8. The hot weather has not deterred him from wearing a full suit.

    

Some questions using the new words/phrases. Try to use the words/phrases in your answer.

1. What other superstitions do you find fascinating? Why?

2. What are some famous superstitions in your country?

3. Are there ancient traditions in your country that others think are strange? Describe them.

4. If your friend was superstitious, how would you make them rest easy?

5. Would you do something despite superstitions in your country or culture?

6. Are there some numbers, colors, or other things that are an omen for you or in your country/culture?

7. Would you be deterred from living in a building with an unlucky number 4 or 13 in it?

8. Have you ever been betrayed? How did you feel? What would you do if someone you trusted betrayed you?