In 2026, the calendar presents us with a rare accumulation – as many as three Friday the 13ths. Following the February date, today, March 13, marks another day associated with paraskevidekatriaphobia, with the last such case awaiting us in November.

Maximum number of unlucky days

In 2026, there are three Friday the 13ths: February 13, March 13, and November 13. This is the maximum possible number of such days in a single year.

Paraskevidekatriaphobia

The fear of Friday the 13th has scientific and cultural roots, deriving from Greek words meaning Friday, thirteen, and fear.

Origin of the superstition

One theory links the unluckiness of the date to the arrest of the Knights Templar by King Philip IV of France in 1307.

Cultural differences

While in Poland we fear Friday the 13th, in Spain and Greece, Tuesday the 13th is considered unlucky, and in Italy, it's Friday the 17th.

In the 2026 calendar year, there are as many as three Friday the 13ths, the second of which falls today, March 13. This is the maximum possible number of such days in a single year, and this situation will repeat again on November 13. This phenomenon always occurs in months that begin on a Sunday, which is a direct result of the structure of the Gregorian calendar.

Fear of this specific date has earned its own medical name – paraskevidekatriaphobia. The superstition about the unluckiness of Friday the 13th is particularly strong in Poland, Germany, Scandinavian countries, as well as in Estonia, the Czech Republic, and the Philippines. There are several hypotheses regarding the origin of this belief, and one of the most popular links it to historical events from the early 14th century. The tradition of considering Friday the 13th an unlucky day is often traced back to the mass arrests of the Knights Templar in France, which took place on October 13, 1307. King Philip IV the Fair accused the order of heresy, leading to its downfall and the execution of many knights, including Grand Master Jacques de Molay. In other cultures, such as Greek or Spanish, Tuesday the 13th is considered unlucky, while in Italy, Friday the 17th raises fears.

Today, Friday the 13th has become a permanent element of pop culture, manifested, among other things, by the mass sharing of memes and humorous graphics on social media. Internet users often mock their own failures, attributing them to the date, with popular motifs including avoiding black cats, walking under ladders, or getting out of bed with the left foot. Local media use this day to remind people of dark legends, as is the case in Łódź, where compilations of places considered haunted are published. Despite widespread fears, insurance company statistics often do not show an increased number of accidents or breakdowns on these days. 3 (dni) — maximum number of Friday the 13ths in a year Friday the 13ths in 2026: February 13 — First Friday the 13th; March 13 — Second Friday the 13th; November 13 — Third Friday the 13th

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