Global perspective on Friday the 13th superstitions

Today, Friday, November 13, 2026, marks a date widely considered unlucky in Anglo-Saxon, French, German, and Portuguese cultures. While many people avoid scheduling significant life events such as weddings, travel, or medical procedures on this day, scientific data provides no evidence that the date inherently brings bad luck. Notably, 2026 is the only year in the current decade to feature three occurrences of Friday the 13th, with this being the final one of the year. The last time a calendar year included three such dates was in 2015.

The origins of this superstition remain multifaceted, with historical and religious narratives, such as the Last Supper, often cited. In other traditions, such as in Greece and Spain, the specific day associated with misfortune is Tuesday the 13th. Beyond cultural folklore, the date has also impacted technology, specifically through the "Friday the 13th" computer virus, which is designed to activate whenever the system calendar matches this date. Professionals in industries like wedding planning report that many clients remain cautious, opting to avoid the date due to persistent cultural influence.