Fear Friday the 13^th? Learn Spanish Instead!

Ever wondered why Friday the 13^th gets such a bad rap? Let’s dive into the origins of this superstition, how it’s seen in Spanish-speaking countries, and why some people think Tuesday is the real troublemaker. Friday 13^th? Pssss. No fear, my dear! Don’t Fear: Learn Spanish with Friday the 13^th Traditions and Superstitions at Kasa De Franko!

Why Friday 13^th Is Perfect for Learning Spanish?

Maybe it’s because a black cat crossed your path or you forgot to knock on wood. Or perhaps it’s centuries of myths, historical betrayals, and human imagination gone wild.

Whatever the reason, Friday the 13^th has carved its own niche in the superstition hall of fame: Instead of fearing it, take advantage of your lucky day to start learning Spanish!

Learn Spanish Traditions & Superstitions!

Reverse your luck learning Spanish Traditions & Superstitions! Plus, you’ll turn this infamous day into an opportunity to learn Spanish—because who said bad luck couldn’t be educational? Yes! Learn Spanish on Friday the 13^th with Kasa De Franko! Not only will you explore a whole new world, but you’ll also become more attractive to employers!

Why are Spanish-speakers so Weird?

But here’s the twist: in the Spanish-speaking world, things can get even weirder. Forget Friday—it’s Tuesday the 13^th that sends shivers down spines in Latin America and Spain. Curious yet? Let’s unravel the mystery, sprinkle in some Spanish traditions, and turn bad luck into a good laugh. Bonus: you’ll even learn Spanish while you’re at it.

The World’s Most Unwanted Guest: 13!

Why is 13 considered unlucky? It’s like the party crasher of numbers, ruining perfectly good vibes. Many cultures view 12 as a symbol of completeness: 12 months, 12 zodiac signs, 12 apostles, etc. Then comes 13, breaking the harmony like a misplaced mariachi at a rock concert.

Ancient Babylon skipped the 13^th law on its tablets (we’ll assume it wasn’t just a typo). Even today, buildings and hotels worldwide conveniently “skip” the 13^th floor. Let’s be real, though—nobody’s fooled by the magic of labeling the 13^th floor as “14.”

Triskaidekaphobia: WTF?

WTF? Yes: Watch the Fear! Then WTF’s triskaidekaphobia? The fear of the number Sounds fancy, but it’s essentially the numerical equivalent of fearing your ex’s text popping up at 3 a.m.

How Friday Got This Bad Rap!

Friday wasn’t exactly a fan favorite in Christian traditions. It’s the day of Jesus’ Crucifixion, making it a day of somber reflection rather than celebration. So, combine that with the number 13, and you’ve got the ultimate combo for bad luck.

13: The Number of Betrayal

Why 13? It’s all about betrayal, thanks to Judas. That extra seat at the Last Supper? It’s 13, and it’s where Judas made his infamous move. Talk about a recipe for superstition!

Friday + 13 = The Perfect Storm!

Let’s do the math! Now, throw in the number 13, and suddenly, Friday becomes a day cursed by fate. Is it really just a coincidence, or is there a deeper historical twist at play?

The Medieval Origins of the Curse!

The superstition surrounding Friday the 13^th may have a historical starting point: October 13, 1307. On this fateful Friday, King Philip IV of France ordered the mass arrest of the Knights Templar, accusing them of heresy. Many were tortured, executed, or burned at the stake.

Medieval Telenovela: ¨Bills You Don’t Wanna Pay”

Well, King Philip and Pope Clement V owed some serious cash to the Templars, so killing them off was the medieval equivalent of just “forgetting” to pay your credit card bill—except instead of fees, it was torture and execution. It makes the late fee seem a bit more manageable, right?

Bad Luck Forever

Legends say this betrayal cursed Friday the 13^th forever, turning it into the medieval equivalent of “Never trust that shady friend who owes you money.”

A Question of History

Of course, historians debate whether this is the real origin or just a convenient story for spooky campfire chats. Either way, King Philip probably didn’t win “Most Popular Royal” that year, and Pope Clement V probably wouldn’t have been invited to any royal afterparties either.

Karma Strikes Back

Anyways, they both died shortly after, reportedly cursed by the Templar Grand Master while being burned alive like pollo a la brasa. Talk about bad karma.

Tuesday 13^th: Latin America’s Villain

While the English-speaking world shudders at Friday the 13^th, Latin America and Spain reserve their fear for martes 13 (Tuesday the 13^th). Why Tuesday? Blame Mars, the Roman god of war, chaos, and destruction.

“En martes, ni te cases ni te embarques”

In many Spanish-speaking countries, Tuesday is considered a day of conflict, so adding the number 13 makes it a double whammy of bad vibes. As the saying goes: “En martes, ni te cases ni te embarques” (On Tuesday, don’t get married or embark on a journey). It’s like the universe saying, “Stay home and mind your own business.”

Superstitions in the Spanish-Speaking World

If you think Friday or Tuesday the 13^th is strange, wait until you hear about some of the superstitions in Spanish-speaking countries. These traditions range from practical to outright absurd:

• Spilling salt: In many Latin cultures, spilling salt invites bad luck. Remedy? Toss a pinch over your left shoulder. Why? Evil spirits apparently love bland food.
• Sweeping at night: Sweeping after sunset is said to “sweep away” good fortune. A perfect excuse to leave chores for mañana.
• Tocar madera: This Spanish version of “knock on wood” is used to ward off misfortune. For example, “Espero que no llueva mañana… toco madera.”
• Amulets: Many carry an ojo de venado (deer’s eye charm) or el ojo turco to ward off evil.
• Avoiding major decisions: No weddings, no big purchases, no signing contracts—because, obviously, Mars is watching.
• Other quirks include not putting your purse on the floor (money runs away) and avoiding cutting your nails at night (because… reasons?).

But here’s the fun part: while viernes 13 is gaining some Hollywood-fueled fame, many Latinos use it as a day to laugh at superstitions instead of fearing them. It’s a perfect day to reírse del miedo (laugh at fear) y aprender españols pendexos.

The Global Fear: It’s Not Just 13!

Turns out, 13 isn’t the only number causing drama. Around the world, different digits inspire dread:

• In China, the number 4 is considered unlucky because it sounds like the word for death. Buildings skip the 4th floor, elevators skip the 4th button, and some phone numbers cost extra if they don’t contain a “4.”
• In Italy, it’s 17 that raises eyebrows. Why? When written in Roman numerals (XVII), it can be rearranged to spell “VIXI,” which means “I lived” (a poetic way of saying, “I’m dead now”).

Compared to these, 13 doesn’t seem so bad, right?

Spanish Language Meets Luck

Learn Spanish with Friday the 13^th Traditions and Superstitions: Now that we’ve sufficiently scared you with numbers, how about flipping the script? Use Friday the 13^th as a chance to learn Spanish. Here’s how:

1. Expand Your Vocabulary: Words like “mala suerte” (bad luck), “gato negro” (black cat), and “espejo roto” (broken mirror) will come in handy for spooky storytelling.
2. Practice Idioms: Master Spanish expressions like “tener mala pata” (to have bad luck)
3. Cultural Immersion: Understanding local superstitions gives you a sneak peek into Spanish-speaking cultures and their quirks.
4. “Pájaro de mal agüero” (bad omen), “salto de la cuerda” (jump the rope – linked to childhood superstitions), “encantado” (bewitched), “agüero” (omen), “alivio” (relief, often used in superstitions), and “despedir la mala suerte” (to get rid of bad luck).

Friday the 13^th in the Spanish-Speaking World!

In Latin America and Spain, the reactions to martes 13 and viernes 13 vary widely:

• In Mexico, you might hear about La Llorona,  (The Weeping Woman), adding an extra layer of terror to an unlucky day.
• In Peru, families might casually drop sayings like “Si pasa, pasa” (If it happens, it happens) as a way to shrug off bad luck—even if El Sexi Chupacabras wants to suck your blood.
• In Spain, some people avoid making big decisions on martes 13, but others treat it as just another day. Because who has time for superstition when there’s paella to eat?

Final Thoughts: Turning Bad Luck into Good Fun

Friday, Tuesday, or even Wednesday the 13^th—every culture has its quirks. The important thing is to laugh at the absurdity, learn from the traditions, and maybe even pick up some Spanish along the way.

Turn Friday 13^th Into Your Lucky Day!

Why let Friday the 13^th bring you down when you can turn it into a fun and productive day? Kasa de Franko’s offering Spanish lessons for just $9.50/hr.

It’s the perfect chance to start learning something new and exciting. Whether you’re looking to change your luck or just want to pick up a new skill, now’s the time to start!

For more info, check out our Learning Spanish is Hot: $9.5/hr. article and discover some fun and sexy phrases along the way in our blog section Things Spanish People Say in Bed!

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At Kasa de Franko, we offer engaging, affordable, and flexible Spanish lessons for all levels—whether online or in-person. Join us today for free classes and let’s Learn Spanish with Friday the 13^th Traditions and Superstitions!

The Funniest Part of All

Let’s face it, the fear of Friday the 13^th is basically just a cultural hangover—or even worse, un pajazo mental (a pipe dream). People get scared for no reason, and, in reality, the universe couldn’t care less if it’s Friday or Tuesday.

Why a Friday-13^th -Free-Spanish Lesson?

Maybe that’s why we need a Friday the 13^th Free Spanish Lesson, to help shake off the bad vibes and learn something new.

Join us on Friday 13^th?

So why not join us for our FREE Spanish Lesson on Friday the 13^th, and let’s laugh together at how ridiculous and delightful the world of superstitions can be?

We’ll explore the dark magic of learning Spanish phrases tied to bad luck, like “no tientes a tu suerte” (don’t push you luck) and “cruzar los dedos” (crossing fingers), which we can all agree is practically a universal superstition.

Ready to get started?

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