Day 3172 (Friday) 13th February 2026

This is Antibes

and this is the waterfall in Nice.

 

It was a bit overcast today so we stayed at home and I have another Zoom lesson this afternoon with Bertran.

Vendredi 13 is French for Friday the 13th

There are between one and three Friday the 13th each year.

Balder’s death

In 2025, there was only be one in June, while in 2026, there will be three – in February, March, and November.

The superstitions and legends surrounding Friday the 13th have deep historical roots, influenced by religious beliefs, cultural traditions, and historical events.

A significant number of French people consider it a fortunate day, while others view it as ominous, preferring to remain in bed until it passes.

But what are the origins of these superstitions and legends?

Friday the 13th – Pagan origins?

In Norse mythology, the number 13 gained its ominous reputation due to Odin. Legend has it that the God of War once hosted a dinner in his kingdom of Valhalla, inviting 11 of his good friends but purposely excluding Loki, the God of War and Evil. An enraged Loki disrupted the banquet, leading to a confrontation with Balder, the God of Love and Light, and Odin’s son. During the battle, Loki fatally wounded Balder with an arrow to the heart.

Norse mythology also attributes the origins of Friday’s bad luck to Frigga or Freya, the Queen of the Gods and Goddess of Love and Fertility. Freya was honoured on Friday, known as Freya’s Day. When the Norsemen invaded England in the 8th century, they brought these beliefs and traditions with them.

However, with the spread of Christianity, these pagan superstitions were supplanted. Freya, once revered as the Goddess of Love and Fertility, was demonised as a witch banished to a mountain peak. According to Christian legend, every Friday, Freya would gather with the devil and 11 other witches to plot evil against humanity—a tale born out of Christian demonisation rather than historical fact.

Friday the 13th – Origins: Greek and Roman mythology?

The Greeks and Romans weren’t too fond of the number 13 either. However, they worshiped the number 12, which they considered a symbol of perfection and regularity.

Indeed, in Greek mythology, there were 12 gods residing on Mount Olympus, 12 constellations, and 12 signs of the Zodiac. They even structured their days into 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of night—a practice that persists to this day.

However, the number 13 disrupted this perceived harmony, leading them to view it unfavourably.

Additionally, Friday held negative connotations for the Greeks and Romans as it was often associated with executions. Therefore, it was not considered an auspicious day, at least not for those facing punishment.

Friday the 13th – Biblical origins?

Many French trace the origins of Friday the 13th back to the New Testament, specifically to the events surrounding the Last Supper and Jesus’ Crucifixion.

According to Christian tradition, Jesus dined with his twelve disciples at the Last Supper, bringing the total number of participants to 13. This significant event occurred on the Friday of the Holy Week, just before Jesus’ Crucifixion, adding to the association of Friday the 13th with ill fortune.

Friday the 13th – Origins: Knights Templar

The second most accepted origin of the superstition surrounding Friday the 13th in France is linked to the infamous trial of the Knights Templar orchestrated by King Philip the Fair.

In 1307, King Philip issued a letter to all bailiffs and Provosts of France, instructing them to open it on Friday the 13th of October. The letter commanded the arrest of all Knights Templar in France.

On that fateful Friday the 13th, 2,000 Templars were apprehended, imprisoned, and subjected to brutal interrogation under torture. Many confessed to fabricated crimes, and 54 of the 140 Knights Templar residing in the Paris Temple were burned at the stake. Among the executed were the Grand Master of the Order, Jacques de Molay, and two other dignitaries, including his assistant, Geoffroy de Charnay.

Jacques de Molay and his comrades met their demise on Friday, March 18th 1314, at the Square du Vert-Galant on the Ile de la Cité. Before his execution, Jacques de Molay reportedly cursed both the king and the pope for their actions and summoned them before the Court of God.

Remarkably, within the following year, both King Philip the Fair and the pope died. Furthermore, Philip’s two sons perished without male heirs, resulting in the Crown of France passing to another branch of the royal family.

This historical narrative prompts reflection on the enduring influence of superstitions and their potential consequences.

Is Friday the 13th a Lucky Day?

Despite the numerous legends and superstitions surrounding Friday the 13th, many French people actually consider it a lucky day, particularly among those who enjoy gaming.

Statistics reveal that there are three times more gamers on Friday the 13th compared to other Fridays, indicating a belief in its fortunate nature.

This trend has not escaped the notice of the Française des Jeux, France’s national lottery operator, which has rebranded Friday the 13th as “Jour de Chance” or “Lucky Day.”

Ultimately, whether Friday the 13th is deemed lucky or unlucky depends on one’s perspective and approach to life.