Why is Friday the 13th unlucky? A look back at the history of this ominous date ****** ...... Roots of superstition can be traced back to arrest of Knights Templar in Middle Ages, subsequently burnt at the stake and condemning us all to misfortune for the wrongs done to them Today is Friday the 13th and we all know that means bad luck. After a week of Brexit turmoil, England's exit from the World Cup and Donald Trump's arrival, the sinister date's recurrence feels els right on cue. The superstition surrounding Friday the 13th is thought to originate with the Last Supper, attended by 13 people, Jesus Christ and his 12 disciples on Maundy Thursday, the night before his crucifixion by Roman soldiers on Good Friday. The number 13 is therefore associated with Judas Iscariot, Christ’s betrayer, and is regarded as imperfect compared with 12, which represents the number of months in a year. The union of day and date has also been traced back to King Philip IV of France arresting hundreds of Knights Templar on Friday 13 October 1307. The Catholic crusaders were apprehended under pressure from Pope Clement V over allegations made by an excommunicated former member that new recruits to the order were being forced to spit on the cross, deny Christ and engage in homosexual acts during initiation ceremonies. The claims seemingly entirely without foundation were a convenient pretext for Philip to persecute the wealthy order and waive debts he owed them following war with England. Charged with moral and financial corruption and worshipping false idols – often following confessions obtained under torture - many of the knights were later burnt at the stake in Paris. The order’s Grand Master, Jacques de Molay, faced the flames in front of Notre Dame Cathedral and is said to have cried out a curse on those who had so gravely wronged them: “God knows who is wrong and has sinned. Soon a calamity will occur to those who have condemned us to death.” The events initiated by the holy warriors’ arrest, according to tradition, ensured every subsequent Friday the 13th meant bad luck to one and all, De Molay’s hex ringing out through the ages. ......... ✪ Welcome to the Social Hot News channel General news Celebrity news Tech news Financial news Sports news Game news Wish you and your friends watch the video fun, ****** ****** ****** ****** ******