Black cats, broken mirrors, ladders, umbrellas, spilled salt, and the number 13—oh my! According to a Gallup poll, nearly 1 in 4 Americans admit to being at least somewhat superstitious. These beliefs often peak around Friday the 13th, bringing even quiet believers into the spotlight. This fear is formally known as Paraskavedekatriaphobia, or the fear of Friday the 13th. But is the day truly unlucky, or is it simply misunderstood?
Is Friday the 13th Really Unlucky?
The word superstition is commonly associated with bad luck, but in reality, it refers to beliefs that certain actions or objects influence luck—either positively or negatively. Finding a penny? Good luck. Breaking a mirror? Bad luck. Both are classic examples of superstition.
So why is Friday the 13th viewed as more unlucky than any other day? There are many theories. Some are discussed in USA Today’s article, “Why Friday the 13th Is Known as a Day of Bad Luck.” Interestingly, other sources argue the opposite.
According to the Huffington Post article, “Why Friday the 13th Is a Very Lucky Day Indeed,” both Fridays and the number 13 were once symbols of good fortune and divine feminine energy, long before modern superstitions took hold. Could it be that this so-called unlucky day has simply been misunderstood?
Regardless of belief, let’s look at the statistics.
Friday the 13th and the Stock Market
Contrary to popular belief, financial data paints a surprisingly positive picture. In a Business Insider article titled “Here Are Your Not-So-Scary Friday the 13th Stock Market Stats,” analyst Chris Adams notes that over 144 Friday the 13ths, the market closed higher 81 times, averaging a 0.66% gain. The best performance? A 3.34% increase on October 13, 2000.
Additional reports from MarketWatch support the idea that Friday the 13th has historically shown no negative impact on market performance—and often, quite the opposite.
Lucky Lottery Wins on Friday the 13th
While some people avoid taking chances on Friday the 13th, others have walked away with life-changing wins. Since 2003, Michigan Mega Millions players have won over $171 million from drawings held on Friday the 13th. In California, Williams Rogers won $555,555—and not for the first time on this supposedly unlucky day. Meanwhile, Daniel Huck of Waterloo and seven others shared a $40,000 payout after a Friday the 13th drawing.
For many, the day turned out to be anything but unlucky.
Traffic Patterns and Consumer Behavior
Another interesting trend: traffic volumes tend to drop on Friday the 13th, as some people choose to stay home. While this can reduce foot traffic for brick-and-mortar businesses, it also creates unexpected perks—shorter lines, easier commutes, and quieter public spaces. If you’re willing to ignore the folklore, you might enjoy a smoother day out—and maybe even a faster coffee run.
It All Comes Down to Perception
Luck is often shaped by mindset. If you expect something negative, you’ll likely notice signs that confirm it. If you look for opportunity, you’re more likely to find it. Instead of letting fear dictate your choices, Friday the 13th can be a chance to do something bold, take action, and create your own luck. Don’t allow superstition to delay a decision that could change your life or your business.
A Surprisingly Perfect Day to Start a Business
If you’ve been planning to start a business—your concept is ready, location chosen, supplies listed, and potential customers waiting—what’s holding you back?
Don’t let Friday the 13th become another excuse to delay your dream. In fact, it could be the perfect day to take action.
If funding has been your biggest obstacle, we can help. From working capital loans and home-based business loans to non-SBA options and unsecured no-doc loans, we’ll help identify the solution that fits your situation.
At Unsecured Finances, we specialize in working with business owners who have good credit but keep running into roadblocks when seeking funding.
