h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: Friday The 13th? - Unlucky For Some? - A16355801
Author: Serephina..in attack of the killer wheelchair - U191719

Hi Serephina
I know I've read this before so I'll post the previous review thread links for the benefit of other reviewers:
EGWW: F5662757?thread=3584445
PR: F5662757?thread=3600366
PR: F5662757?thread=3647520

Perhaps you'd like to comment upon what those reviewers said, (there's still the "commonly known as the Devil's Dozen" in your Entry, this was pointed out by Emmily on 5 Nov 2006 - and still relevant - that it's commonly known as a "baker's Dozen")

GB

'We have no real reason to believe Friday the 13th to be more lucky or unlucky than any other day. Yes, there does seem to be at times more accidents on that day but coincidence no doubt plays its part along with our own self fullfilling beliefs'.

Maybethisisanexampleofsel-fulfillingprophecy.Supertitiouspeoplewill anticipate some formofaccident.Intheireffortstoavoidthistheycausetheaccidentmycomputerwontallowmetoinsertspacedsthismorning.)

Wonder+whether+Friday+13th+March+would+be+considfered+particularly+potent+due+to+the+proximity+of+the+Ides+A3788814+?

A3788814

A3788814

You really are having problems, Al

I+know.



(TRiG+suggested+I+use+'+'+signs+in+lieu+of+spaces).

It's better than nothing

Aha! The bit with Loki explains "Sleeping Beauty" - where the 13th wise woman/witch is not invited because the hosts don't have enough golden plates, and ends up gate-crashing anyway and cursing the baby

Sorry for the delay in replying here, been in hospital with my asthma again will get on to it as soon as I can. I love the reference to sleeping beauty Malabarista I may use it if thats ok?

Oh no! And what priorities, hurrying straight back here Hope you feel better soon

And sure, use the Sleeping Beauty thing, if you like. According to some more research, the symbolism of the 13th fairy can further be seen as a victory of the twelve-month solar year over the thirteen-month lunar year, with the fairies/witches/wise women representing a matriarchal society and the queen/king representing a patriarchal society But I think that's taking it too far

Of course, in the original medieval French and Catalan versions, Sleeping Beauty wakes up not when the prince kisses her, but when she has the babies

How's this coming along, Serephina?

Do you know that there is already an Edited Entry on "fear of 13"? You could link to it.

I'll have to read this later, but I have heard that the reason Friday 13th is considered unlucky is because it was on that day that the Templars were arrested. Not sure how accurate that is, mind.

I've heard that too, and I don't believe a word of it.

It does seem strange. Why don't you believe it?

Never believe anything that claims that a modern superstition is based on something that happened more than 200 years ago.

Never believe anything to do with the holy grail, the templars or the ark of the covenant.

Sounds like good rules for life!

Although Wikipedia is not necessarily correct, it does point out that the superstition about Friday the 13th was unknown in 1898 - it wasn't listed in a book of superstitions published at that time although there were entries for fear of Friday and fear of 13.