It's come and gone already, I know, but do you know exactly why Friday the 13th is considered 'bad luck'? Many people I know will associate the number with evil or satanic means. Where did this superstition come from exactly?
Thank France and the Church for this day--indeed a day of great evil and misfortune. See, King Philip IV of France was a man known for his financial trouble. He went to the Templars, who had acquired great wealth, and asked Grand Master Jacques De Molay to respond to acts of heresy. De Molay turned him away. On Friday the 13th, the Templars found themselves rounded up and tortured Inquisition style until they confessed their evilness. Of course, they were killed. Philip was then free of the debt he owed them and was free to loot their treasuries. And to rub salt in the wound, he had his pocket Pope, Clement V, disband the Templars.
Today, the Catholic Church agrees the persecution was unjust and that there was nothing corrupt with the Order. The unfortunate Pope was just under pressure by a ruthless King, so he had to do something. For more about Pope Clement V, please read The Divine Comedy; you'll find him in the 8th circle of Hell.
Posted by Zoso at November 6, 2006 08:44 PMWhat do you think someone has to do to earn the title "Grand Master"? It would be impressive on a resume.
Posted by: Sarah at November 7, 2006 10:05 AMI dunno, but I was wondering the same thing.
Posted by: Zoso at November 7, 2006 04:25 PMI didn't know hell had tiers. But what's one more layer on a towering inferno, you know?
13 was always my lucky number though. I like 13 of everything! 13 in a stack, 13 Oreos, 13 crackers...oh man, I oughta change it to 5...
Posted by: J00kst3r at November 7, 2006 08:41 PMHell has had tiers for centuries. I hear they're working on some additional ones to accomodate the recent spike in reservations.
Posted by: Sarah at November 8, 2006 09:57 AM