Friday the 13th. Just the mention of it is enough to make some people shudder, while others roll their eyes and carry on with their day. But on February 13, 2026, the first of three such Fridays this year, the age-old superstition is once again taking center stage—this time, falling right before Valentine’s Day and sparking a fresh wave of curiosity, anxiety, and, for some, celebration.
So where did all this fuss about Friday the 13th begin? According to historians and folklore experts cited by TIME and USA TODAY, the superstition is a tangled web of cultural, religious, and social influences. The roots run deep, with many tracing the unease back to the Last Supper, a pivotal Christian event where Jesus dined with his twelve apostles—making thirteen at the table—the night before his crucifixion, which, as tradition holds, happened on a Friday. This pairing of the number 13 and the day Friday has, over centuries, morphed into a symbol of misfortune for many in Western cultures.
But Christianity isn’t the only source feeding the superstition. Norse mythology, as reported by USA TODAY and the History Channel, tells the story of Loki, the trickster god, crashing a banquet as the thirteenth guest and causing the death of the beloved god Balder. This tale of chaos and betrayal only added fuel to the fire, reinforcing the notion that 13 is an unlucky number—especially when it lands on a Friday.
The anxiety surrounding this particular date is so pervasive that it even has its own names. The fear of Friday the 13th is dubbed paraskevidekatriaphobia or, for those who prefer a Norse twist, friggatriskaidekaphobia. Both mouthfuls, these terms combine Greek and Norse words for Friday, 13, and fear, as Britannica explains. The dread is real for some—researchers estimate that up to 10% of the U.S. population harbors some fear of the number 13, according to the History Channel.
Yet, not everyone sees 13 as a harbinger of doom. Dr. Simon Bronner, a professor of American studies and folklore at Pennsylvania State University, told TIME that in some countries, like Italy, 13 is actually considered lucky. He argues that Friday the 13th is mostly a convenient milestone for people looking to blame their bad luck on something tangible—there’s nothing inherently special about the date itself.
Still, the superstition has been reinforced through centuries of cultural references. In the 14th and 15th centuries, writers like Robert Greene and Geoffrey Chaucer described Friday as a day of misfortune, cementing its unlucky reputation in the popular imagination. The combination of a supposedly unlucky day and an unlucky number created a double whammy that’s proven hard to shake.
Pop culture, of course, has played a starring role in keeping Friday the 13th in the limelight. In 1907, Thomas William Lawson’s novel Friday, the Thirteenth told the story of a stockbroker who exploited superstitions to wreak havoc on Wall Street. Decades later, the 1980 horror film Friday the 13th introduced the world to the hockey mask-wearing killer Jason, spawning sequels, comic books, video games, and a legion of Halloween costumes. As USA TODAY points out, while Jason’s reign of terror is fictional, the movie franchise has become a cultural touchstone, further embedding the superstition in the public psyche.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. In fact, Friday the 13th has inspired a host of traditions and celebrations. Tattoo shops across the country offer $13 flash tattoos—a tradition popularized in the 1990s by tattoo artist Oliver Peck, according to USA TODAY. The origin of this practice, however, dates back to superstitious sailors in the 18th century, who believed that tattooing the number 13 could ward off bad luck. Today, these tattoo deals draw crowds eager to mark the day with a bit of ink and a lot of bravado.
This year, the festivities don’t stop with tattoos. Krispy Kreme is handing out 13,000 coupons for free dozen glazed donuts to lucky customers on Friday the 13th, redeemable within 13 days starting February 15, 2026. The giveaway, as reported by USA TODAY, is part of a broader trend of businesses embracing the day as an opportunity for fun promotions and community engagement.
Others mark the occasion by watching the original Friday the 13th movie or hosting themed parties with friends—sometimes even inviting exactly 13 guests for a bit of cheeky superstition testing. For the less horror-inclined, Disney’s Freaky Friday movies offer a lighter way to join in the fun. And for those seeking a little luck, traditions like finding a four-leaf clover, breaking a wishbone, or carrying lucky dice are all fair game.
Of course, not everyone is eager to tempt fate. Psychologist Susan Albers of the Cleveland Clinic explains that superstitions can have a powerful effect on our thoughts and behaviors. “Superstitions have the power to change our thoughts and behaviors. Studies have shown that on Friday the 13th, people tend to avoid travel, stay at home and delay important decisions,” Dr. Albers told Cleveland Clinic. She warns that expecting a bad day simply because it’s Friday the 13th can actually make it more likely—our brains are primed to notice and remember negative events that fit the narrative.
For those feeling anxious, Dr. Albers suggests sticking to normal routines and focusing on self-care. “Superstitions are the loudest when we feel stressed,” she says. “Simple things like good nutrition, proper sleep, movement and getting outside can all help to calm the nervous system and make you feel better on days your brain is sounding the alarm.” She also notes that some superstitions, like knocking on wood, can actually have a positive effect, providing reassurance and boosting mood.
And for those who like to plan ahead, 2026 is a banner year for Friday the 13th. According to timeanddate.com and USA TODAY, there are three such Fridays: February 13, March 13, and November 13. The next year, 2027, will see only one (in August), and 2028 will have a single spooky Friday in October. For the astronomically inclined, NASA reports that on Friday, April 13, 2029, the asteroid Apophis will pass within 20,000 miles of Earth—a close shave by cosmic standards, but scientists assure us there’s no danger.
So whether you’re grabbing a donut, getting a tattoo, or just trying to get through the day unscathed, Friday the 13th is a reminder of how powerful—and sometimes playful—our superstitions can be. Despite its dark reputation, the day offers a unique chance to confront, celebrate, or simply laugh at the quirks of human belief.