Why is Friday the 13th considered unlucky?

Friday, Nov. 13, marks the third Friday the 13th of 2026. Three is the greatest number of Friday the 13ths that can occur in a single year. People have associated both the number 13 and Fridays with bad luck for centuries. Combined, they created one of the world s most enduring superstitions. Whether you avoid making big decisions on Friday the 13th or treat it like any other day, the origins of the superstition might surprise you. Origins of Friday the 13th Like many longstanding beliefs, it s difficult to pinpoint exactly when the superstition surrounding Friday the 13th became widespread. Historians generally agree that the fear of Friday the 13th likely developed from a combination of religious and cultural traditions rather than a single event. One commonly cited explanation comes from Christianity. According to the Bible, 13 people attended the Last Supper before Jesus crucifixion. Because Jesus was crucified on a Friday, some people began to associate both the number 13 and Fri