Paraskevidekatriaphobia (Friday the
thirteen phobia)
Paraskevidekatriaphobia is the fear of Friday the 13th. It
is closely associated with triskaidekaphobia, but it is believed more people
suffer from it. There is no reference suggesting that Friday the 13th was
considered unlucky before the 19th century.
In 1307, on Friday, October 13th, Philip IV, King Philip IV
of France ordered the arrest of the Grand Master of the Knights Templar as
well as other members of the templars.
They were later tortured and executed, but there is no
reference suggesting that this event has anything to do with how ill-fated
Friday the 13th is considered.
The first reference appeared in a biography of composer Gioachino Rossini (published in 1869)
who considered 13 an unlucky number and Friday an unlucky day. Eventually he died on 13th November 1868.
But not even in the lengthy 1898 edition of “Dictionary of
Phrase and Fable” written by E. Cobham Brewer, Friday the 13th does not
appear as a superstition (although both Friday and the number 13 are
mentioned).
We can conclude that the fear of Friday the 13th is a newer
one who developed extensively in the 20th century, partly helped by popular
culture.
Treatment for paraskevidekatriaphobia is no different than
the treatment from triskaidekaphobia.
A person needs to be exposed to his phobia gradually.