Immediately is Friday the thirteenth, an prevalence that occurs solely a few occasions a yr.

That is the second Friday the thirteenth of 2024, simply two months after the final one in September. It additionally occurs to be Taylor Swift’s birthday, and somebody could possibly be further fortunate on the day with an upcoming Mega Thousands and thousands drawing. There’ll solely be one Friday the thirteenth in 2025, in June.

The day has come to be related to superstition, luck and magic, although it has some shocking origins. Trepidation round Friday the thirteenth might have been amplified by the slasher-movie sequence, however it possible has non secular origins.

Whether or not you are fastidiously stepping over sidewalk cracks on Friday or leaning into the custom of discounted tattoos on the spooky day, here’s what to find out about Friday the thirteenth.

See the map:The most well-liked superstitions by state

Origins of Friday and the quantity 13

The precise origins of Friday the thirteenth could also be considerably of a thriller of its personal, however many agree it has roots in Christian tales.

Some tie the quantity to Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus Christ and is regarded as the thirteenth visitor to reach on the Final Supper, in keeping with Historical past.com.

Avoiding a connection between two in any other case unrelated occasions is a part of people’ tendency to interact in “magical considering,” in keeping with Dr. Phil Stevens, a retired anthropology professor from the College at Buffalo and the creator of the e book “Rethinking the Anthropology of Magic and Witchcraft: Inherently Human.”

Different examples of this embody a great luck attraction or objects changing into extra helpful after they had been owned by celebrities.

“So 13 is related to that horrible occasion. And Friday, the thirteenth you get a double whammy. You get each of those parts coming collectively: the taboo in opposition to 13, and the crucifixion, which was on a Friday,” Stevens stated in an interview with USA TODAY final yr.

Friday the thirteenth superstitions

Listed below are some frequent superstitions related to dangerous luck on Friday the thirteenth:

• Breaking a mirror: Breaking a mirror is claimed to deliver seven years of dangerous luck, so deal with glass fastidiously at present.
• Strolling beneath a ladder: This superstition stems from the concept that strolling beneath a ladder disrupts the triangle, a logo of life, and invitations misfortune.
• Spilling salt: By accident spilling salt has been seen as dangerous luck for hundreds of years. To counteract, throw a pinch over your left shoulder to thrust back evil.
• Crossing paths with a black cat: Black cats, usually related to witches and dangerous omens, are thought of unfortunate, particularly after they cross your path on Friday the thirteenth.
• Stepping on Cracks: The rhyme “step on a crack, break your mom’s again” comes from the concept that stepping on cracks invitations dangerous vitality or hurt.

To reverse your fortunes, some actions related to bringing good luck embody:

• Carrying a fortunate attraction: Gadgets like four-leaf clovers, horseshoes, or rabbit’s toes are believed to deliver good luck and safety from dangerous vibes.
• Knocking on wooden: This age-old superstition is believed to forestall dangerous luck or jinxes. If you happen to say one thing hopeful, knock on wooden to “seal the deal” and preserve success in your aspect.

Why tattoos are additionally related to Friday the thirteenth

Whereas the superstitious could also be avoiding taking any dangers on Friday the thirteenth, these seeking to get tattoos could possibly be in for a great deal.

On Friday the thirteenth, many outlets run particular promotions charging steeply discounted costs to get work carried out, usually for a flat price at and even beneath store minimal (the minimal payment a store will normally cost on a tattoo to cowl the price of the fundamental provides and overhead).

The common hourly value most artists cost is between $100 to $200 plus, making these flash gross sales an important deal. Whereas reasonably priced predesigned flash tattoos and flash gross sales should not unusual practices all through the remainder of the calendar yr, Friday the thirteenth is the sooner or later you’ll be able to rely on discovering a wealth of markdowns at a number of outlets close to you.

The trendy view of Friday the thirteenth as a tattoo vacation is commonly credited again to co-owner of Elm Avenue Tattoo in Dallas Oliver Peck, who it’s possible you’ll acknowledge from TV present “Ink Grasp” and his transient marriage to Kat Von D (he later left the present after a blackface controversy).

In reference to Friday the thirteenth tattoo promotions, Peck beforehand advised Vice that he “positively wasn’t the primary individual to do it,” saying he drew some inspiration from fellow artist Dave Lum’s Halloween specials, however that he did “make it an occasion.” He threw his first main Friday the thirteenth operate in 1995 on the now-defunct Pair O’ Cube in Dallas, a marathon session of tattooing the quantity “13” on as many individuals as potential in a 24-hour interval.

His swing at creating his personal custom caught on, as he and his co-workers started internet hosting these 24-hour tattoathons annually, at one level successful a spot in Guinness Guide of World Information for tattooing the quantity 13 on 415 individuals in 24 hours on Friday, June 13, 2008.

A model of this story was beforehand printed on Sept. 12, 2024.

Kinsey Crowley is a trending information reporter at USA TODAY. Attain her at kcrowley@gannett.com, and comply with her on X and TikTok @kinseycrowley.