Folklore
In some cultures, Friday is considered unlucky. This is particularly so in maritime circles; perhaps the most enduring sailing superstition is that it is unlucky to begin a voyage on a Friday. In the 19th century Admiral William Henry Smyth, writing in his nautical lexicon The Sailor's Word-Book, described Friday as
| “ | The Dies Infaustus, on which old seamen were desirous of not getting under weigh, as ill-omened. | ” |
(Dies Infaustus means "unlucky day".) This superstition is the root of the well-known urban legend of HMS Friday.
However, this superstition is not universal, notably in Scottish Gaelic culture:
- "Though Friday has always been held an unlucky day in many Christian countries, still in the Hebrides it is supposed that it is a lucky day for sowing the seed. Good Friday in particular is a favourite day for potato planting—even strict Roman Catholics make a point of planting a bucketful on that day. Probably the idea is that as the Resurrection followed the Crucifixion, and Burial so too in the case of the seed, and after death will come life."
In modern times, Friday the 13th is considered to be especially unlucky, due to the conjunction of Friday with the unlucky number thirteen. Such a Friday may be called a "Black Friday".
In astrology, Friday is connected with the planet Venus. It is also connected with the Astrological signs Libra and Taurus.
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