{"id":114854,"date":"2024-02-13T10:00:05","date_gmt":"2024-02-13T09:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ihdemu.com\/?p=114854"},"modified":"2026-05-27T13:03:40","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T11:03:40","slug":"tuesday-13-bad-luck-or-simple-coincidence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ihdemu.com\/en\/tuesday-13-bad-luck-or-simple-coincidence\/","title":{"rendered":"Tuesday 13: bad luck or simple coincidence?"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you’re superstitious, you’ve probably already thought twice about doing something important on Tuesday the 13th<\/strong>. This date, shrouded in mystery and superstition, arouses concern, caution and even fear in many people. But where does this bad reputation come from? What makes Tuesday the 13th considered a “cursed” day? And why don’t all countries see it the same?<\/p>\n

In<\/p>\n

this article we are going to discover the origin of this superstition, its most shocking curiosities, its presence in Hispanic culture and other just as strange superstitions that we still believe today (although we do not admit it). Get ready for a journey through the occult, the historical… and the cultural.<\/p>\n

The origin of fear: when Tuesday and the 13th cross paths<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The superstition of Tuesday the 13th is not new. In fact, its roots go back centuries, at a crossroads of religions, wars and popular beliefs.<\/p>\n

For one, the number 13<\/strong> has been considered cursed in many cultures. At the Last Supper<\/strong>, for example, there were 13 people seated at the table: Jesus and his 12 apostles. The number 13? Justo Judas, the one who betrayed him. Since then, the 13th has been associated with betrayal and misfortune.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, Tuesday<\/strong> already had a bad reputation since ancient times. The reason? It comes from the planet Mars, the Roman god of war<\/strong>. In Greco-Latin culture, Mars was synonymous with conflict, destruction, and violence. For this reason, Tuesdays were not considered good days to start something new.<\/p>\n

Now imagine putting together a day associated with war with a number that represents betrayal. Boom! He is born on the dreaded Tuesday the 13th.<\/p>\n

Triskaidekaphobia: the fear of the number 13<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Yes, it even has its own name: triskaidekaphobia<\/strong>. This is the name of irrational fear of the number 13. And it’s not as weird as it sounds.<\/p>\n

Many airlines eliminate row 13<\/strong> on their planes. In some buildings, the 13th floor<\/strong> does not exist. Even in luxury hotels, room 13 is conspicuous by its absence. All to avoid inconveniencing the most superstitious guests.<\/p>\n

Fun fact: in Italy<\/strong>, the unlucky number is not 13… but 17! So much so that on some Italian flights there is no row 17, and 13 is seen as a good luck number. Things of culture.<\/p>\n

Tuesday 13 vs. Friday the 13th: which is worse?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In the Anglo-Saxon world, Friday the 13th<\/strong> is the day of fear par excellence. Horror movies, memes and urban legends revolve around this date. But in countries such as Spain, Mexico, Argentina or Colombia, Tuesday the 13th<\/strong> is the one that gets the fame of “cursed day”.<\/p>\n

Why this difference? Some historians explain that the influence of Catholicism in Hispanic countries strengthened the idea of Tuesday as a day of bad omen, while Friday the 13th gained popularity in Protestant countries, where that date is associated with tragic events such as the fall of the Templars (a Friday the 13th in 1307).<\/p>\n

“On Tuesday, don’t get married or embark”<\/strong><\/p>\n

Does this phrase sound familiar to you? It is one of the best-known sayings in the Hispanic world. The full saying is:<\/p>\n

“On Tuesday, don’t get married, don’t embark, don’t leave your house.<\/strong>”<\/p>\n

The idea is clear: better not to make important decisions on Tuesday. Don’t sign contracts, start trips, or make big plans. Just in case. It’s like a cultural way of saying: “Today you better stay still.”<\/p>\n

But the interesting thing is how this phrase has survived the passage of time. Although many repeat it jokingly, the truth is that there are those who really change dates or cancel plans if they fall on Tuesday the 13th. Superstition is still alive, even if science says otherwise.<\/p>\n

Tuesday the 13th in film, music and pop culture<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Although Friday the 13th has been more exploited by Hollywood (yes, we think of Jason and his mask), Tuesday the 13th also has its space in Hispanic culture.<\/p>\n

In countries such as Argentina or Spain, there are films, novels and even musical groups that refer to this date. For example, the Argentinian band Martes 13<\/strong> chose its name precisely because of its dark and intriguing meaning.<\/p>\n

There are also those who choose to get married<\/strong> or travel<\/strong> on Tuesday the 13th as a way of rebelling against superstition. Something like saying: “I don’t believe in those things, and I prove it.”<\/p>\n

Do more misfortunes really happen on Tuesday the 13th?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Scientifically, there is no evidence that Tuesday the 13th is more dangerous than any other day. However, the interesting thing is that superstition can influence how we act<\/strong>. If you think something bad can happen, you are more tense, more insecure… And that increases the likelihood of making mistakes.<\/p>\n

The mind is powerful! So much so, that there are people who do not even leave home that day for fear of an accident. This is called a “self-fulfilling prophecy<\/strong>“: you think something bad will happen, you act out of fear, and you end up provoking it yourself.<\/p>\n

Other superstitions just as strange<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If you thought Tuesday the 13th was weird, here are some other superstitions that will make you doubt how rational human beings are:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Breaking a Mirror<\/strong>: 7 Years of Bad Luck. Who Invented That?<\/li>\n
  • Passing under a staircase<\/strong>: a bad omen. The reason? In the past, it was believed that the triangle it forms represented the Holy Trinity. Breaking that triangle had consequences.<\/li>\n
  • Spilling salt<\/strong>: Bad luck, unless you take a pinch and throw it over your left shoulder. Curious, isn’t it?<\/li>\n
  • Knock on wood<\/strong>: to “cancel” a verbalized bad luck.<\/li>\n
  • Black cats<\/strong>: in many places they are considered a symbol of bad luck (although in other cultures they are seen as protectors).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    So… should we worry about Tuesday the 13th?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    The answer is: it’s up to you<\/strong>. For some people, these dates are simply cultural curiosities. For others, they are a reminder of mysteries we don’t fully understand. And for many, a fun excuse to share anecdotes, jokes or creepy stories.<\/p>\n

    The truth is that superstitions are part of our cultural identity. They connect us with our ancestors, with their fears, their beliefs and their way of understanding the world. Maybe there’s nothing wrong with having a little respect for them… or at least, out of curiosity.<\/p>\n

    And you, what are you doing on Tuesday the 13th?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    Are you one of those who avoid going out that day? Or do you throw yourself into doing just the opposite, as an act of rebellion? Be that as it may, Tuesday the 13th is a date that leaves no one indifferent. And even if we don’t know if it brings bad luck or not, at least it gives us something interesting to talk about.<\/p>\n

    So now you know: next Tuesday the 13th, think carefully before getting married, embarking… or at least double-check your horoscope!<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    If you’re superstitious, you’ve probably already thought twice about doing something important on Tuesday the 13th. This date, shrouded in mystery and superstition, arouses concern, caution and even fear in many people. But where does this bad reputation come from? What makes Tuesday the 13th considered a “cursed” day? And why don’t all countries see […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":26518,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"default","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[647],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-114854","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-culture"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ihdemu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/114854","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ihdemu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ihdemu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ihdemu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ihdemu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=114854"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/ihdemu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/114854\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ihdemu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26518"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ihdemu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=114854"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ihdemu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=114854"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ihdemu.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=114854"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}