Bad Luck in Spain: Tuesday and not a Friday?

Thanks to Hollywood, I’ve always believed that Friday the 13th is the day of bad luck for everyone. However, I discovered today that Tuesday the 13th is actually unlucky in Spain. For someone who grew up fearing Fridays with the number 13 emblazoned on them, this revelation was unexpected—and, to be honest, somewhat intriguing. Tuesday, why? How come 13? It turns out that it’s a combination of superstition, history, and cultural differences. So let’s delve deeper.

The bad luck associated with Tuesday the 13th actually has its roots in both superstition and ancient history. You probably didn’t know that Mars, the Roman god of war, is the ruler of Tuesday. The Spanish word for Tuesday, “martes,” is derived from the Latin word “martis.” Mars, the god of war, is linked to bloodshed, conflict, violence, and devastation.

Unlike Tuesday the 13th, the bad luck of Friday the 13th is mostly attributed to Anglo-American pop culture, specifically post-20th-century media, such as TV series and films.

But why is the number 13 used on both days? From Judas being the thirteenth guest at the Last Supper to the unnerving imbalance it symbolises in numerology, the number 13 has long been associated with bad luck in many cultures. Spain’s most unlucky day is March 13, which occurs when that menacing number falls on a Tuesday, which is a day that is governed by Mars, the god of war. “On a Tuesday, don’t get married, don’t travel, and don’t leave your house,” or “en martes, ni te cases, ni te embarques, ni de tu casa te apartes.”

Finding out that Tuesday the 13th has the same sinister significance in Spain as Friday the 13th does in other places totally changed my perspective on superstition. It serves as a reminder that even things we consider to be “universal,” such as bad luck, are greatly influenced by history, language, and culture. Don’t be shocked if people stay at home, skip weddings, or reconsider booking a flight the next time the calendar strikes March 13 in Spain. Additionally, if you’re like me, you might begin to view Tuesdays in a slightly different light.