Friday The 13th Superstitions That'll Spook You Out

What's that? Did a chill run down your spine? Could it be the air conditioning, a slight breeze sneaking in through the window, or perhaps is the ominous Friday the 13th upon us? Now, you might be a little skeptical and dismiss it as just another day that only happens to fall on the 13th of the month. But to many, it's the day of reckoning—one that brings unfathomable misfortune and spares no one in the process.

What's spookier is the fact that the origin of Friday the 13th isn't even clearly known to this day. Many believe it dates back to the Last Supper (13 guests, eventual betrayal, and all that); numerologists think of 12 as the complete number (12 zodiac signs, 12 months in a year, etc.) which therefore makes 13 incomplete. And on top of all that, there have been so many tragic events that took place on Friday the 13th, enough to make the toughest skeptic flinch. So whether you believe in them or take them with a pinch of salt, here are 13 Friday the 13th superstitions that’ll spook you out.

13 Friday the 13th superstitions you need to know now

1. Don’t Stay on the 13th Floor

Whether you’re planning a good-ol’ Los Angeles staycation or testing out the eco-friendliest hotels in the state, it’s best to avoid the 13th floor. In fact, you’ll find that many of Golden State’s hotels are actually missing this floor, because, as surveys have shown, many guests are afraid to stay there in the first place.

2. If you Have a Hair Appointment on the 13th, Cancel It 

We know how much it hurts canceling a hair appointment, especially one that was reserved in advance at one of California’s best blowout salons. But if you want to stay true to the origin of Friday the 13th, then postponing your blowout will seem like a lesser sacrifice to seeing your family alive and in good health.

3. Avoid Starting New Projects and Procrastinate Instead

Okay, this one may not be too bad. But according to the history of Friday the 13th, starting new projects may result in bad luck. Instead, take the super tough choice and procrastinate. Better yet, don’t even leave your house. Host a virtual game night, take a California virtual tour, whatever suits your fancy—the spooky world’s your oyster.

4. Don’t Walk Under a Ladder 

Dating back to medieval times, this Friday the 13th superstition is bizarre, to say the least. Rumor has it that if you walk under a ladder, it can lead to your own untimely demise. But there's good news in case you're already under it—try crossing your fingers until you see a dog. Now that’s a tip you didn’t know you needed...

5. Hold Off on Boating 

If you're a woman planning to set sail on Friday the 13th, you should probably refrain from doing so. The potential reason? Your very presence. If you're superstitious (or maybe just a little stitious), then going boating might result in you endangering the crew and becoming the reason for their watery doom.

6. Steer Clear of Vending Machines 

We're just as lost as you are with this Friday the 13th superstition. The only possible background for this superstition is that two people die from vending machines falling on them a year. So, knowing that Friday the 13th is notoriously unlucky, the odds may not be in your favor.

7. Pass Up a Road Trip

This might be hard to do—the Golden State offers plenty of summer road trips you’re dying to go on. But if you truly believe in the power of this unlucky day, you’ll cozy up at home and hit the road another day. And, plus, think of all the horror movies that kept you up at night—how many of them happened during a road trip? Are you beginning to see our point?

 8. Don’t Get Married on Friday the 13th

It’s safe to say church bells are not ringing on this day. Couples are often hesitant to get married on Friday the 13th because—if you haven’t guessed already—this date isn’t likely to bring you your happily ever after. But if you lean more towards the skeptical side, here’s a little hack for you. Since so many people believe that the number 13 is bad luck, the Golden State’s wedding venues remain unbooked; this is a lifesaver for couples planning a last-minute ceremony.

9. Put the Comb Away

If combing is a regular part of your hair care routine, then we have bad news for you. According to this superstition, if you comb your hair at any point on Friday the 13th and a bird uses your fallen locks to build a nest, then say bye-bye to those luscious locks—you might be going bald after that.

10. Postpone your Friday the 13th Date 

An ancient English superstition holds that any courtship undertaken on a Friday is doomed from the beginning. But now, so much time has passed that this sort of fear is reserved for only Friday the 13th. And if you’re planning to woo your significant other with the unique date you’re planning for them somewhere in the Golden State, perhaps make it a staying-in kind of thing?

11. Don’t Knock Over the Salt 

Picture this: you and your partner thought “better safe than sorry” and decided to stay at home instead. You found a bunch of easy date-night recipes to try, put on your favorite couples’ playlist, and are enjoying each other’s company… Until BAM, one of you knocks over the salt—a major no-no in the Friday the 13th book. If this happens and you don’t throw some over your left shoulder, then get ready for a cursed life.

12. Give that Bachelorette Party a Rain Check

Are you a maid of honor looking for a guide to hosting the best bachelorette party in California? Here’s step number one—don’t do it on Friday the 13th. Not only will the bride-to-be go missing, but you’ll also be risked with terrible luck for an uncertain amount of time.

13. Get Inked 

Okay, enough with the bad stuff; let’s end this list on a positive note. If you’re looking to get tattooed, Friday the 13th is actually the best time to do it—it’s tradition for tattoo artists to charge only $13 on this day. But a word to the wise, if you’re getting bigger work done, don’t forget to tip.