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Superstition looms over Friday |
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Thursday, 12 October 2006 |
by ALLISON CASEY
Lifestyles Reporter
The superstitious will have to take extra caution to avoid black cats, ladders and broken mirrors Friday, as it marks the first “Friday the 13th” of 2006 since January.
“A
lot of religions have days that are inauspicious where chaos is
believed to threaten,” Dr. Thomas B. Ellis, assistant professor of
philosophy and religion, said.
Fear of a particular day can be seen as an attempt to localize the
forces of evil that may break the fabric of order. By designating a
day, believers are better able to prepare themselves, he said.
The fear of the date is prominent enough for scientists to designate
the term “paraskevidekatriaphobia,” as a fear of Friday the 13th, he
said.
According to the Western States Folklore Society, the Friday the 13th myth began partly because
Friday was regarded as evil since it was the day Jesus died.
Also, in England, Friday was the traditional day for public hangings.
The number 13 is an unlucky number cross-culturally stemming from various myths about 13 guests at dinner.
“Friday the 13th is a day that, for some reason shrouded in myths, is a
slot on the calendar that provokes a lot of anxiety,” Ellis said.
“People don’t worry about Thursday the 12th or Saturday the 14th.”
Junior history, secondary education major Allana A. Kortlever is flying to Florida on Friday.
“I’m terrified,” she said. “I’m afraid of flying anyway. The added fear of it being Friday the 13th doesn’t help.”
Though the date itself does not bother her, Kortlever said it is connotations surrounding the day that concern her.
“That’s just when copycat type of performances tend to happen,” she said.
“[Friday the 13th] is certainly a date pop culture has had a lot of fun
with,” Ellis said. “Especially with all those movies in the ‘80s.”
It is this pop culture that prompts the adventurous to attend events
like RazorBack Hollar, a haunted trail opening Friday in Wilkesboro.
“Originally we had it a few weeks earlier,” owner Shaun Cardwell said.
“But it’s perfect with Halloween and Friday the 13th. That doesn’t
happen often.”
Cardwell said he expects a good-sized crowd.
The walking trail features classic horror film characters and tricks but features surprise twists that
make it, “completely different from a lot of other trails around here,” he said.
Admission is $7 and all proceeds go to charity.
The Tweetsie Railroad Ghost Train Halloween Festival is another option for Friday night fright-seekers.
The event sells out almost every weekend, marketing director Kathy B. Robbins said.
Tweetsie Railroad will not change anything for Friday the 13th and does not expect a difference in the type of crowd, she said.
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