Last Friday was a special Friday.  Not because Arrowhead won the state semifinals, but because it was Friday the 13th.

According to a study by the North Carolina Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute. an estimated 17 to 21 million people suffer from fear of friday the 13th.  

The fear of this day is referred to as Friggatriskaidekaphobia. The word comes from “Frigga”, the name of the norse goddess for whom the day Friday is named after, and “triskaidekaphobia”, which means the fear of the number thirteen.

Friday the 13th shows up at least once a year, and can show up as much as three times a year.  This is the third and final appearance of the day this year, with the past dates being February 13th, March 13th, and November 13th. There will only be one Friday the 13th in 2016 and it will occur in May.

The actual origins of the superstition behind this date is unclear, and although there is no written evidence of Friday the 13th before the 19th century, superstitions are supposedly dated back to at least 1700 B.C.

The number thirteen has long been considered a cursed number, because of it’s relation to the number 12. Twelve is considered a number of completion. There are 12 hours on a clock, 12 eggs in a carton, 12 months in a year, and 12 disciples of Jesus.

Anthony Kauer, a senior at Arrowhead said, “yeah, I heard that some people are really scared of Friday the 13th, but i’m not scared of it. I’m also not the kind of guy to change direction when there’s a ladder in front of me or stop what i’m doing because I see a black cat.”

Sam Boler said, “ I hope that Franklin will feel the curse of the day more than we do!” (Referencing the Arrowhead state semifinal game.)

Although kids like Kauer at Arrowhead aren’t feeling the effects of Friday the 13th the tradition and fear associated with the day will live on with the predicted 17 to 21 million people who do believe.