About 21 million Americans suffer from paraskevidekatriaphobia, the fear of Friday the 13th, or Black Friday.
They avoid daily activities that could potentially put them in harm's way and some are too afraid to get out of bed in the morning.
But why? Where did the superstition come from?
One theory suggests 12 is the most complete number. It occurs in common cultural references - 12 months in a year, signs of the Zodiac, labors of Hercules, tribes of Israel, gods of Olympus and apostles of Jesus Christ. Thus, 13 is considered irregular.
Friday has been considered unlucky, and therefore a bad day to start a new journey or project - stemming from the Canterbury Tales. Also, according to Christian scripture, Jesus was crucified on a Friday.
The Red and Black
University of Georgia, Athens, GA
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