Friday the 13th

　　The standard nineteenth-century explanation for the supposed unluckiness of the number 13 was that there were thirteen at Jesus's Last Supper ——Judas was generally thought of as the thirteenth. This widely repeated interpretation led to the fear of the number 13 in general, and people would avoid having 13 at table or in a party. The supposed misfortune of Friday also originated from Christian beliefs, for the Crucifixion took place on that day.

　　But both fears have their earlier roots than Christianity was ever created. The fear of Fridays may have been connected with the Norse goddess Freya;beginning journeys on her day was considered rude to Freya and would offend her. The number 13 has been considered ill since ancient times. Romans linked the number to death, destruction and misfortune. And people traditionally thought that the witch meeting had thirteen members. Someone tried to give a more reasonable explanation for such number speculations. He noted that twelve is the result of the two favorable numbers, three and four; but that thirteen cannot be so easily divided. Like eleven, then, thirteen may be suspected of its supernatural quality.

　　NOTES:

　　Christian 基督教的rbq星辉外国语学校
　　Crucifixion 耶稣被钉死在十字架上rbq星辉外国语学校
　　Christianity 基督教rbq星辉外国语学校
　　Norse 古斯堪的纳维亚的rbq星辉外国语学校
　　Freya 古斯堪的纳维亚音乐女神rbq星辉外国语学校
　　（Friday来自于Freya的名字）rbq星辉外国语学校
　　Witch 女巫rbq星辉外国语学校
　　speculation 推测