Friday the 13th: From Sacred Symbol to Spooky Superstition

When most people hear “Friday the 13th,” they think of bad luck, broken mirrors, black cats, or maybe a horror movie marathon. But would you believe that this infamous day actually started out as something positive?

Let’s rewind. In many ancient traditions, the number 13 was deeply spiritual and seen as a symbol of divine feminine energy, intuition, and transformation. There are 13 lunar cycles in a year, and some goddess-worshipping cultures saw 13 as a sacred number tied to fertility, rebirth, and wisdom. Fridays, too, were once viewed through a different lens—associated with Venus (or Freya in Norse mythology), the goddess of love, beauty, and abundance. In short, Friday the 13th used to be a day of celebration, femininity, and powerful energy.

So what changed?

A mix of patriarchal history and religious fear-mongering. As patriarchal systems and organized religions gained power, many female-centric beliefs and symbols were deliberately discredited. The number 13 and Friday—both associated with the divine feminine—became targets. Over time, the combination of the two was painted as unlucky, suspicious, and even dangerous.

One major turning point? In the 1300s, King Philip IV of France ordered the mass arrest of the Knights Templar on Friday the 13th, 1307. That political move (along with rumors of curses and betrayal) helped shift the cultural tone even further into the ominous territory.

Fast-forward to pop culture, and horror films like Friday the 13th sealed the day’s reputation as something creepy and cursed.

But here’s the good news: that spooky stigma? Totally man-made. You can choose to reclaim the day as one of power, possibility, and fresh perspective. Whether it’s treating yourself to something sweet, setting intentions, or just ignoring superstition altogether—Friday the 13th can still be your lucky day.

So don’t fear the 13th landing on a Friday today. Celebrate it.