Friday the 13th - Unlucky?

Ever wonder why the number 13 is considered unlucky? One explanation is because it was the day the Knights Templar were arrested by Philip IV of France in October 1307. Many believe that the Knights Templar are the origin for the Masonic Lodge which played heavily in the formation of the United States. Thanks to the Masons and their symbolism, the number 13 is found in many symbols of America:

- The number of colonies that formed the United States. 

- The original flag had thirteen stars, one for each state. New stars have since been added whenever a new state joins the union, but the idea of adding stripes for new states was soon dropped, so the American flag to this day has thirteen horizontal stripes: six white ones and seven red ones.

- In the Great Seal of the United States there are 13 olive leaves (with 13 olives), 13 arrows, and 13 stars. These form a triangle over the eagle with the number 13 on each point. On the reverse the pyramid has 13 levels.