What is a Friday the 13th tattoo and where did the tradition come from?
SOME superstitious people will be longing for the day to end on Friday the 13th – but ink lovers don’t want it to end.
That’s because tattoo artists offer discounts for those brave enough to sit in the chair on the notoriously unlucky date.
What is a Friday the 13th tattoo?
Friday the 13th is so scary for some that it even has an official phobia name – paraskevidekatriaphobia or friggatriskaidekaphobia.
Fear surrounding the number was amplified thanks to franchises like the Friday the 13th film series tapping into this superstition.
Most people now expect to endure a barrage of bad luck, making it a day they would rather forget.
But in the tattoo world, the number 13 is considered to be a symbol of good luck.
It is thought that having the feared digits on your skin will encourage any misfortune to pass you by.
Tattoo artists take advantage of the superstition and often ink their clients at a discounted price.
Why do people get tattooed on Friday 13th?
Friday the 13th tattoos have become a tradition across the US after being popularized by Dallas tattoo artist Oliver Peck.
He chose to offer a themed flash sheet – a group of designs to choose from but traditionally not open for modification – which were cheap enough for those struggling with money to be able to get a cool new ink.
The “holiday” is considered a a major event at parlors, which typically charge $13 with a mandatory $7 tip.
Prices vary in different inking studos, so make sure you do your research.
The flash sheet typically includes spooky or ghoulish designs such as black cats, blood, coffins, a hockey mask.
But of course, they usually have the number 13 featured within them.
Now the day has become one of the busiest of the year for tattoo parlors.
Where did the tradition come from?
Oliver Peck first started DIY-tattooing himself and friends in 1988, before inking professionally from 1991.
He threw his first big Friday the 13th-themed shindig in 1995 at the now shuttered Pair O’ Dice shop in Dallas.
“I definitely wasn’t the first person to do it, the number 13 tattoo on the Friday the 13th,” says Oliver.
“But, I definitely made it an event.”
Peck says his shop Elm St. Tattoo expects to welcome around 1,200 customers on this or any Friday the 13th.
They now host a 24-hour tattoo marathon every Friday the 13th, from midnight to midnight on the unlucky day.
While there is pre-registration for the event, you can also simply join the walk-in line and try your luck.