Friday the 13th: Beyond the Western Lens

Demystifying the Fear and Celebrating the Feminine Power of the Number 13 Across Cultures

Happy Friday 13^th! I hope you’re all surviving the Mars in Cancer transit—it’s been so emotionally exhausting for me (as is the case with every major water sign transit) – I’ll be writing more on this soon. Today, in honour of Friday the 13th, I want to share a non-Western perspective to help demystify the myths and fears around this day.

Contrary to what the patriarchy may have taught you, the number 13 is not unlucky, and neither is Friday the 13th. Nothing to be scared of at all. The phobia around this day, known as paraskevidekatriaphobia (from the Greek words for Friday, thirteen, and fear), stems from a mix of superstition, religious beliefs, and cultural associations, particularly in the West. Many believe 13 is considered unlucky because the number 12 is seen as a symbol of completeness—think 12 months in a year, 12 zodiac signs, 12 disciples of Jesus, etc. In contrast, 13 is often viewed as irregular or unstable.

However, just because 12 represents completion doesn’t mean 13 is inherently bad. Numbers and symbols tied to order and harmony give people comfort. So, when a system like 12 feels "complete," the number 13 can seem like an unwelcome disruptor. It steps outside the predictable, and people often fear what they can't easily categorise.

That said, there’s been a shift in how people now view the number 13, recognising it as a symbol of good luck or spiritual significance, especially as the West turns to "the Other" in search of deeper cultural and spiritual meaning. In many ancient traditions, 13 is connected to the divine feminine, and I believe Friday the 13th is actually a powerful day for women (so no surprises as to why it’s branded the unluckiest day of the year).

Poulomi Basu

The number 13 aligns closely with lunar cycles—13 full moons in a calendar year—often linked to feminine energy in various spiritual traditions. Most women’s menstrual cycles are roughly 28 days long, leading to 13 cycles per year, further deepening the connection between 13 and the feminine. Many ancient cultures honoured the moon as a symbol of femininity and intuition. The Mayan calendar, for example, is divided into cycles, one of which includes "trecenas." Each trecena is a period of 13 days, and this was a fundamental unit in their timekeeping system. In Native American traditions, the turtle, a sacred animal, is believed to have 13 large scales on its back, representing the 13 moons of the year, once again linking 13 with natural cycles.

In India, the number 13 is considered lucky, especially by Sikhs. Auspicious festivals like Lohri and Baisakhi are celebrated on the 13^th day. In Punjabi, "13" is pronounced “Tera,” meaning "Yours," as in belonging to the Creator. The Gurus used “Yours” to refer to Waheguru (God/Creator). There’s a well-known Sakhi (story) of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, who, while serving as a grain keeper, was tasked with counting grains that were collected as taxation. When he reached the number 13, it’s said he went into meditation and began to give away the grain for free while chanting “Tera, Tera, Tera,” meaning "It’s all Yours, everything belongs to the Divine.”

Amrita Sher-Gil: Village Scene,1938

While I understand the numerical argument that 12 symbolises completeness, astrology and other spiritual traditions show us that 13 is the ‘next step’—the renewal. In astrology, 12 is linked to Pisces, the last sign of the zodiac, known to be the most spiritual sign, representing wisdom and endings. So, 13 carries the energy of new beginnings, much like Aries, the cardinal sign that marks the start of a new season. In ancient Egyptian mythology, there were 12 stages of transformation in life, with the 13th stage representing the afterlife or spiritual ascension, symbolising a step toward higher consciousness. In Tarot, the 13th card is Death, representing the cycle of death and rebirth.

When you step away from the Western lens, you’ll find that many ancient cultures embraced the number 13 as a symbol of female empowerment, divinity, creation, and intuition. Rather than being something to fear, Friday the 13th is a day to honour the cycles of life, spirituality, and feminine energy.