Friday The 13th: How Lucky Or Unlucky Is North Dakota?

Friday the 13th is today! This day is often depicted as creepy and superstitious in horror and slasher films, but how did this start? Why is Friday the 13th considered evil, unlucky, and frightening?

According to History.com, there are several theories as to where the number 13 got its bad rap. One is an old Norse myth where 12 old gods gathered for dinner, when an uninvited 13th god, Loki, arrived with the intention of killing another god. As a result, the number 13 has been deemed “unlucky.” There are several other myths, rumors and religious references (12 apostles, Judas being the 13th guest) similar to this one that many cite as the reason behind the date and number being 

How Unlucky Is North Dakota? 

So how “Unlucky” is North Dakota? TopUSCasinos.com did a study and found that we rank pretty well. They looked at natural disaster rates, lightning strikes, accidental mortalities, and several other things to come up with these findings.  

(Also Read: 3 Things About North Dakota That Might Make You Scratch Your Head)

North Dakota was found to be the 16th luckiest state in the U.S.! Now, what about the unluckiest states? - I had to look! TopUSCasinos.com found that West Virginia and Mississippi were the unluckiest states in the country. And the luckiest overall? That was found to be none other than New York. 

Did you know: Friday the 13th can occur up to 3 times a year?  

North Dakota’s Biggest Superstitions/Myths: 

According to 247wallst.com North Dakotans believe that if you kill a snake, you have to cut its head off and bury it in the ground to keep it from coming back together. So, maybe just leave the snake alone and avoid the whole situation altogether. Also, wouldn’t it be better if it repaired or healed itself? I’m confused.  

Another popular superstition North Dakotans are big on is throwing salt over your shoulder. This, according to froggyweb.com. The superstition is that if you spill salt, it’s bad luck, so to remedy the bad juju, you must throw it over your shoulder.  

North Dakotans have good superstitions, too. Here are a few things that might improve your circumstances. 

(Also Read: The Creepiest Bigfoot Sighting In North Dakota History)

A Lucky Rabbit’s Foot

I'm not suggesting that anyone should promptly go mutilate a poor innocent rabbit, but they are out there, and if you’re desperate and need all the help you can get, it’s an option for you.  

Lady Bugs

To be honest, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a ladybug in North Dakota. If you see one cross your path, take it as a sign. 

Knock On Wood

This isn’t so much a sign of good luck as it is a precaution. If you say something out loud, some people believe you manifest the energy and make it happen. How do we fix this? We knock on a little piece of wood.  

Why do we do this, you ask? According to ArtAndCulture.com, it’s actually an old Celtic-European belief that good and bad spirits lived in trees. To scare them away you would knock on them. Interesting right?! 

Those are just some of the ways you can repair your bad luck. My advice: avoid ladders, black cats, and owls. And, if you have a lucky penny you better keep it in your pocket!