Today is Friday, 13 February 2026. This date, Friday the 13th, is famous worldwide for bad luck fears. It appears three times in 2026: on February 13, March 13, and November 13. Some people feel real fear, called paraskevidekatriaphobia or friggatriskaidekaphobia — both words mean fear of Friday the 13th. This fear can cause sweating, fast heartbeat, and trembling. The number 13 has long been viewed as unlucky. In Norse myths, the god Loki broke a perfect group of 12 gods by arriving 13th, causing trouble. In Christian tales, Judas, the traitor, was the 13th guest at the Last Supper, which happened before Good Friday. The date's bad reputation also comes from many stories: from a Sicilian count killing his daughter on a Friday the 13th to events like Adam and Eve eating forbidden fruit or the Temple of Solomon's fall—all tied to Fridays. Not everyone fears the day. In the 1880s, the Thirteen Club met to fight superstition, dining on the 13th day and enjoying risky acts like opening umbrellas indoors. Even presidents joined in! The superstition varies worldwide. In Spain and Greece, Tuesday the 13th is unlucky. Italians fear Friday the 17th. In Japan and China, the fourth day of the fourth month is feared. India links the number 13 to Rahu, a cosmic figure known as the 13th immortal. Today, many see Friday the 13th as a fun date. Some get tattoos or watch scary movies. Others simply ignore the myths. Businesses sometimes change plans to avoid the date, though bad luck remains unproven. Friday the 13th repeats because of calendar quirks. Whether it is feared, enjoyed, or ignored depends on personal belief, not fate.