Halloween is here and it is the perfect time of the year for old myths, legends, and scary stories. But what exactly is the story behind Friday the 13th? The answer? No one really knows.

There have always been speculations throughout history as to why that number is so feared, though the answer is not set in stone. Even so, this superstition has hit our society by storm. Tons of movies, books, and trends have appeared because of the ever-pressing fear of unlucky Friday the 13th. There is even a scientific term for this fear known as friggatriskaidekaphobia (say that five times fast)!

Historically, the number 13 has always been an issue. It even goes as far back as biblical times. Some believe the book of Genesis holds history behind Friday the 13th. Eve’s temptation of Adam was on a Friday, according to some beliefs. On another Friday the 13th, Cain would murder his brother Able. In the stories of the Last Supper, Judas, the man who betrayed Jesus, was the 13th guest. Jesus’ crucifixion also took place on a Friday. The Christians weren’t the only who would fixate on this mysterious date. Even in ancient Norse mythology, they believed 13 to signify great misfortune because the thirteenth demigod Loki attempted to bring destruction upon humanity many times.

Then there is the extremely famous Friday the 13th movie franchise. This gruesome movie, set in an old camp called Camp Crystal Lake, caught the world off guard and really solidified their fear of this horror-day. This sit-on-the-edge-of-your-seat horror movie is filled with revenge, terror, murder. If you haven’t seen any of the movies, we highly recommend watching them as they are an American classic, perfect for Frightful Fall.

Just think for a minute. Throughout history, the number 12 has always been perceived as whole and complete. There are twelve apostles of Jesus, twelve zodiac signs, twelve months in a year, two twelve-hour intervals in a day. If the number 13 just makes everyone uncomfortable, could this be because it’s the number just after the perfect and complete number twelve?

Want to make Friday the 13th a little more offputting? Check out these freaky things that have happened on Friday the 13th!

Is the number 13 unlucky? That’s for you to decide. Many people go as far as to say it’s their lucky number!