With over 40,000 mentions, #FridayThe13th has also started trending on Twitter in India.
The last time such an occurrence took place was in January 2006. The next time will be in May 2033, local media reported on Friday.
According to folklore, tonight’s moon is also known as the “harvest moon” or “corn moon”, as it tends to provide relatively bright moonlight early in the evening, which has been a traditional aide to farmers in the past when harvesting their summer crops.
On social networking platforms, especially Twitter, people are sharing reactions, superstitions, facts, and even funny memes associated with the alleged “inauspicious” date.
Astronomical beliefs suggest that the moon today will be at its farthest distance from Earth, appearing really small. The scientific name for today’s moon is a “micro moon”.
Stemming from the early era of Christianity, the reason why Friday the 13th is feared and considered “inauspicious” is because it is believed that after having being betrayed by Judas - the 13th guest who joined the Biblical event of the “Last Supper”, Jesus Christ was crucified on a Friday.
The fear of the number 13 is called “triskaidekaphobia”, which causes people to refrain from travelling, purchasing things, and even marrying on the 13th day of any month, especially falling on a Friday. Several apartments, hotels, and even flights skip the number because customers avoid choosing it.
For a month to have a Friday the 13th, it must begin on a Sunday.