Krampusnacht and The Christmas Legend of Krampus

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The Legend of Krampus – What Happens if You’re on Santa’s Naughty List? 🎄👹

While Santa Claus rewards good children with presents, the terrifying Krampus punishes the naughty ones. This ancient Germanic folklore has become a global holiday tradition, bringing a dark twist to Christmas celebrations.

If you've ever wondered who Krampus is, where the legend comes from, and what happens if you're on his naughty list, keep reading to discover the spine-chilling origins of Krampusnacht, the Alpine Christmas demon, and his role in holiday folklore.

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👹 Who is Krampus? The Christmas Demon of Folklore

Krampus, whose name comes from the Old High German word "krampen" (meaning "claw"), is a half-goat, half-demon figure that appears during the Christmas season to punish misbehaving children.

📖 Norse Mythology Origins
Krampus is believed to be the son of Hel, the goddess of the underworld in Norse mythology. He is linked to pagan winter traditions that pre-date Christianity, symbolizing the dark side of Christmas.

🎭 The Yin-Yang of Christmas: Krampus vs. St. Nicholas

• Saint Nicholas (Santa Claus) brings sweets and gifts to good children.
• Krampus, on the other hand, beats, kidnaps, or terrifies naughty children.

This dark companion of Santa has been a part of Alpine folklore for centuries, blending pagan rituals with Christian holiday traditions.

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🎅 When Does Krampus Come? The Terrifying Krampusnacht (Krampus Night)

According to Germanic folklore, Krampus arrives on December 5th, known as Krampusnacht (Krampus Night).

🎃 What Happens on Krampusnacht?

• Krampus roams the streets, carrying bells and chains to terrify onlookers.
• He visits homes, leaving bundles of sticks for bad children.
• In some legends, he swats misbehaving kids or kidnaps them in a sack.

📅 The Next Day: St. Nicholas Day (December 6th)

• Children wake up to either a reward or punishment.
• Good kids receive candy and presents in their shoes.
• Naughty kids find coal, sticks, or even a warning from Krampus.

🎭 Krampus Parades & Festivals
Today, Krampus celebrations take place across Europe, especially in Austria, Germany, and the Alpine regions. People dress as Krampus and participate in wild, theatrical parades, keeping the scary Christmas tradition alive.

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🩸 Krampus' Punishments – What Happens if You’re on the Naughty List?

According to Krampus legend, misbehaving children may experience the following:

❌ Light Punishment:

• A bundle of sticks (called ruten) left by the fireplace as a warning.
• A lump of coal in their stocking instead of presents.

❌ Moderate Punishment:

• A gentle swat with birch branches as a reminder to behave next year.

❌ Severe Punishment:

• Abduction! Krampus throws naughty children into a sack and carries them to the underworld.
• Some stories claim he drowns, eats, or enslaves the worst offenders.

📢 Pro Tip: If you see Krampus approaching on December 5th, you better have been good this year!

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🔥 How Krampus Changed Over Time – From Horror to Holiday Tradition

Krampus was banned by the Catholic Church for many years because his appearance resembled the devil. However, he never disappeared completely, and in modern times, his legend has softened:

✔️ Krampus became a holiday character similar to "Elf on the Shelf" – instead of punishing kids, he reminds them to behave.
✔️ The lump of coal tradition replaced physical punishment as a way to warn children.
✔️ Krampus parades and Christmas markets now celebrate him as a fun, spooky part of the holiday season.

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🎭 Krampus in Pop Culture & Horror Movies

Krampus has gained popularity in modern media, appearing in movies, books, and TV shows:

🎬 Krampus (2015) – Horror Movie:

• This Christmas horror film follows a family haunted by Krampus after they lose the holiday spirit.
• The movie showcases Krampus’ terrifying presence, complete with his demonic minions and dark magic.

📺 Krampus in TV Shows & Cartoons:

• American Dad! – Krampus appears as a misunderstood anti-hero.
• The Venture Bros. – Features a comedic version of Krampus.
• Supernatural (Season 3, Ep. 8) – Krampus-like figures kill bad people at Christmas.

💀 Krampus-Themed Haunted Houses & Horror Attractions:

• Many haunted Christmas experiences now feature Krampus as a winter horror villain.
• Halloween Horror Nights and Scary Christmas events often include Krampus-themed mazes.

📢 Fun Fact: In some cultures, people send Krampus-themed Christmas cards called "Krampuskarten" to remind friends and family to stay off the naughty list.

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🎄 Naughty or Nice? Krampus vs. Santa Claus – The Ultimate Showdown

Trait	Santa Claus 🎅	Krampus 👹
Reward or Punish?	Rewards good kids 🎁	Punishes naughty kids 😱
Appearance	Jolly, round, red suit 🎅	Horned, furry, demonic face 😈
Personality	Kind & generous ❤️	Terrifying & vengeful 🔥
Symbolism	Christmas joy & generosity 🎄	Holiday fear & discipline 🩸
Arrival Date	December 6th (St. Nicholas Day)	December 5th (Krampusnacht)
Presents or Punishments?	Toys, candy, gifts 🎁	Coal, sticks, & possibly abduction 😨

🚨 Moral of the Story: Be good all year, or Krampus might come for you!

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📌 Final Thoughts – Is Krampus Just a Myth or a Warning?

The legend of Krampus reminds us that Christmas isn’t just about presents—it’s about behavior, tradition, and balance. Whether you believe in Krampus or not, his story has stood the test of time, evolving from a terrifying Christmas demon to a beloved holiday folklore icon.

🎭 Will you be celebrating Krampusnacht this year? Or are you hoping to stay on Santa’s nice list? Let us know in the comments! 👇🎅👹

Friday and the number 13

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The Origins, History, and Superstitions of Friday the 13th

📅 Why Is Friday the 13th Considered Unlucky?

The origins of Friday the 13th superstitions remain a mystery, though both Friday and the number 13 have long histories of being associated with bad luck. Interestingly, there are no documented references to Friday the 13th as an unlucky day before the 19th century, making its superstitious reputation a relatively modern phenomenon.

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🔮 The Myth of 13 People Dining Together

One of the most pervasive Friday the 13th myths is that if 13 people dine together, one will soon die. This belief can be linked to:

✝️ The Last Supper – In Christian tradition, Judas Iscariot, the 13th guest, betrayed Jesus, leading to his crucifixion on a Friday.

🛡️ Norse Mythology – According to legend, Loki, the trickster god, crashed a banquet in Valhalla, becoming the 13th guest and leading to the death of Balder the Good, cementing 13 as an unlucky number.

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💀 The Thirteen Club – Challenging Superstition

In an effort to debunk myths surrounding the number 13, William Fowler founded The Thirteen Club on September 13, 1881. This group of 13 members met on the 13th of every month, deliberately engaging in superstitious taboos such as:

• Sitting 13 at a table
• Breaking mirrors
• Spilling salt without tossing it over their shoulders
• Walking under ladders

Despite their efforts, fear of Friday the 13th persists in modern culture.

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🎬 Hollywood’s Role in Friday the 13th Superstition

The 1980 horror film "Friday the 13th" cemented the day’s infamous reputation in pop culture. The film, which introduced the masked killer Jason Voorhees, fueled the modern association between Friday the 13th and bad luck, horror, and superstition. Since then, countless sequels, books, and TV series have reinforced the fear of Friday the 13th as an unlucky day.

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🏨 Fear of 13 in Modern Society

Even today, the fear of the number 13 (triskaidekaphobia) influences architecture, travel, and daily life:

• More than 80% of U.S. office buildings and hotels skip the 13th floor.
• Airports and hospitals often avoid labeling gates or rooms with the number 13.
• Some people refuse to travel, make business deals, or host important events on Friday the 13th due to lingering superstitions.

Interestingly, not all cultures fear the number 13. In Ancient Egypt, 13 was considered a lucky number, symbolizing ascension to the afterlife rather than misfortune.

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🔎 Does Friday the 13th Deserve Its Bad Reputation?

Despite centuries of superstition, scientific evidence does not support the claim that Friday the 13th is any unluckier than other days. However, its reputation remains deeply embedded in Western culture, making it one of the most widely recognized "unlucky" days in history.

🌙 Is Friday the 13th truly cursed, or is it just another date on the calendar? The answer remains a mystery.

The origins of Santa Claus

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The Origins, History, and Global Traditions of Santa Claus 🎅

Did you know that Santa Claus has more than one Christmas Eve? Due to time zones and the rotation of the Earth, Santa actually has 31 hours to deliver presents if he travels east to west. Additionally, Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas Eve on January 6th, giving Santa a second round of deliveries!

Santa Claus, also known as Saint Nicholas, Father Christmas, and Kris Kringle, is one of the most beloved holiday figures worldwide. But where did his legend begin? Let’s explore the origins, history, and global traditions of Santa Claus.

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🎄 Santa Claus Around the World

🌍 Santa is known by many names globally, including:

• Saint Nicholas (Western Europe & Christian traditions)
• Père Noël (France)
• Weihnachtsmann (Germany)
• Babbo Natale (Italy)
• Ded Moroz (Russia & Eastern Europe)
• Papai Noel (Brazil & Portugal)
• Julenissen (Scandinavia)

🎁 Not All Children Receive Gifts from Santa!
Santa only delivers gifts to children who believe in him, which means that approximately 50-55% of the world’s children—primarily in Christian communities—expect a visit. In some cultures, gift-giving traditions differ:

• 🎅 Poland: St. Nicholas Day (December 6th) is a day for gifts from Święty Mikołaj (St. Nicholas).
• 🎄 Spain & Latin America: Gifts are exchanged on January 6th for Three Kings’ Day (Día de los Reyes Magos).
• ❄️ Russia & Ukraine: Santa-like figure Ded Moroz (Grandfather Frost) delivers gifts on New Year’s Eve instead of Christmas.

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🎅 The Origins of Santa Claus – From Saint to Mythical Gift-Giver

The story of Santa Claus traces back to Saint Nicholas, a 4th-century bishop from Myra (modern-day Turkey). Known for his generosity and devotion to children, his legend spread throughout Europe, making him the Patron Saint of Children and Travelers.

✨ Key Moments in the Evolution of Santa Claus:

• 12th Century: The Feast of St. Nicholas (December 6th) was officially established as a day of gift-giving and charity.
• Protestant Reformation (16th Century): While devotion to Saint Nicholas declined in much of Europe, Dutch traditions of Sinterklaas survived.
• 17th Century: Dutch settlers brought "Sinterklaas" to America, where the name evolved into Santa Claus.
• 1822: Clement C. Moore’s poem ‘A Visit from St. Nicholas’ (a.k.a. The Night Before Christmas) shaped the modern image of Santa:
  • “He had a broad face and a little round belly”
  • “He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf”
• 19th & 20th Centuries: Santa’s red suit and sleigh-pulled reindeer became iconic, thanks to Coca-Cola ads and Christmas illustrations.

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🦌 The Legend of Krampus – Santa’s Dark Companion

Not all holiday traditions are cheerful! In Austrian, German, and Alpine folklore, Krampus is a horned, demonic figure who punishes naughty children while Santa rewards the good ones.

🔥 Krampusnacht (Krampus Night) on December 5th is a spooky Christmas tradition where people dressed as Krampus parade through the streets, scaring misbehaving children before St. Nicholas arrives on December 6th.

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🎁 Santa’s Christmas Magic – Myth or Reality?

Santa’s legend continues to evolve, blending history, folklore, and pop culture. Whether you believe in the real Saint Nicholas, embrace the magic of Santa’s Christmas Eve deliveries, or enjoy the spooky tales of Krampus, there’s no denying the enduring power of holiday traditions.

🌟 Want to learn more about holiday legends and global Christmas traditions? Stay tuned for more festive history and folklore!

More interesting US Currency Facts

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For more interesting facts about things Printed on the One Dollar bill, visit Facts About U.S. Money.

• The US government first issued 'paper' money in 1861 to make up for a shortage of coins to help finance the Civil War, because People were hoarding gold and silver coins. 
• The first 'paper' bills were issued in Fractional Currency: 3, 5, 10, 15, 25, and 50 cent denominations. 

Coins

• A penny costs of 2.41 cents to produce; it costs the U.S. Mint about 11cents to make a nickel and almost 6 cents to make a dime. 
• You can see Lincoln in the Lincoln Memorial on the penny.  
• Changing the US one dollar bill for a US one dollar coin would save the US government about $4.4 billion in the next 30 years.

One dollar bill

• One dollar bills make up between 45-48 percent of all bills printed by the U.S. government each year. 
• The average life of a dollar bill is between 18-21 months in circulation. 
•  It is said you can see a spider in the upper left-hand corner of the shield surrounding the 1, while an owl is hidden one each side of the word 'One Dollar' about half way between the number 1 and the letter O in One and R in Dollar. 
• The $1 bill’s famous nickname of “Greenback” originates from the Dollar Bill created by Abraham Lincoln in the late 1800s to finance the Civil War; These notes were printed in green on the back side. 
• Martha Washington is the only woman to have appeared on a U.S. currency note. She appeares on the face of the 1886 and 1891 $1 Silver Certificate and on the back of the $1 Silver Certificate issued in 1896.

Two dollar bill

• In 1963, the $2 bill Federal Reserve Notes were changed by removing “WILL PAY TO THE BEARER ON DEMAND” from the front and adding “IN GOD WE TRUST” to the back. The $2 bill was last issued in 2003.

Five dollar bill

• $5 bills last in circulation for around 15-18 months. 
• The number 172 can be seen on the back of the U.S. $5 dollar bill in the bushes at the base of the Lincoln Memorial. 
• The security thread in bills $5 and higher will turn blue if they are held under ultraviolet light 
• You can see 26 of the 50 states listed on the Lincoln Memorial on a five dollar bill.

Ten Dollar Bill

• Ten Dollar Bill was nicknamed a "sawbuck" because the Roman numeral for ten (X) bears resemblance to the legs of a sawbuck.

Twenty dollar bill

• $20 bills last in circulation for approximately 24 months.
• Pocahontas appears on the back of the $20 bill in 1875. 
• The twenty-dollar bill was referred to as a "double-sawbuck" because it is twice the value of a ten-dollar bill. 
• The elm tree on back of the $20 bill near the White House was a real tree, the tree is no longer on the White House grounds due to rain softened ground in 2006. 
• Andrew Jackson preferred coins over 'paper' currency, but appears on the $20 bill.

Fifty dollar bill

• Larger bills ($50, $100) can last in circulation up to 8 years. 
•  The micro printing and security thread found in currency today were first introduced in 1990 on the $50 and $100 bills. 
•  A fifty dollar bill is often called a "Grant" because it features a portrait of Ulysses S. Grant.

Hundred dollar bill

• A $100 bill has many nicknames: C-note, Benjamin, Franklin, Ben, Benjy, Benny. 
• The clock tower of Independence Hall in Philadelphia on the new $100 bill is right twice a day, the time set at 4:10.

Thousand dollar bill

• High-denomination bills ($500, $1,000, $5,000, and $10,000) are legal tender, but were last printed in 1945 and officially discontinued in July 1969 and would probably have to be "broke" at a bank. 
• In 1969 President Richard Nixon halted the circulation of the high-denomination bills in an effort to fight organized crime. 
• A record $2,255,000 was paid in December of 2006 for an 1890 thousand dollar bill. 
• The United States 1000 dollar bill features General George Gordon Meade, who commanded Union Army troops at the Battle of Gettysburg.

Hundred Thousand dollar bill

• The 100,000 dollar bill was printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in 1934 and was only used for transactions between Federal Reserve Banks. It is the highest denominated note ever produced by the United States.

Other Fun Facts

• Approx 94% of your cash has viruses and bacteria that can live for up to 17 days.
• Over 90% of your cash also contains traces of cocaine
• $30 billion in Monolpoly money is printed each year. The U.S. government only prints approx $974 million. 
• There is an estimated 1.2 trillion in coin and bills in circulation. The US debt is approx 14 times larger than the amount of currency in circulation, how's that for a credit card bill. 
• Approx 2/3 of US circulated money is held outside the United States. 
• If the Government just printed it's way out of debt, the hyper inflation would make the money worthless similar to 1923 Germany. Germany's money became so worthless it was given to kids to play with and even used as wall paper. 
• The "crack tax" was the name given to the Tennessee tax on illegal drugs. The law passed in January 2005, and applied to illegal substances like cocaine, marijuana, and moonshine. Drug dealers and bootleggers were required to pay taxes anonymously on profits and would receive a stamp to prove their payment. If the dealer was arrested and unable to provide a stamp the state would seek taxes. In 2009 the Tennessee Supreme Court judged that the "Crack Tax" is unconstitutional (because only legitimate employment should owe tax?). 
• North Korea is believed to be the biggest counterfeiter of US currency. 
•  Mr. Eighty Eight evaded capture from the Secret Service for 10 years by only printing about 40 one dollar bills a month and never spending them in the same place twice. His counterfeits were so bad that they even misspelled Washington's name. 
• The richest 1% (one percent) may own nearly half the world's wealth, but nearly half of lottery tickets are purchased by the same 5% of the population. 
• If you have a ten dollar bill in your pocket and no credit debts, then you are wealthier than 25% of Americans. 
• Before paper money, animal skins like deer and elk were used for trade, this might be where the word "buck" to designate a dollar came from.

Is it illegal to write on a dollar bill

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Is it illegal to write on a dollar bill? In my opinion the law says that you cannot deface a banknote if your intent is to render it unfit for circulation (or advertise on it), so basically if you intentionally do something that makes it unusable in a vending machine you are breaking the law.

Title 18, Section 333 of the United States Code, is the Actual law pertaining to the topic from which the above opinion was developed.

DEFACEMENT OF CURRENCY:

Defacement of currency is a violation of Title 18, Section 333 of the United States Code. Under this provision, currency defacement is generally defined as follows: Whoever mutilates, cuts, disfigures, perforates, unites or cements together, or does any other thing to any bank bill, draft, note, or other evidence of debt issued by any national banking association, Federal Reserve Bank, or Federal Reserve System, with intent to render such item(s) unfit to be reissued, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.

The above law doesn’t say anything about 'writing' on a dollar bill, but they are also ambiguous terms and it says you can’t do those things with intent to render such item(s) unfit to be reissued. So you are not going to tear a dollar bill, because you could not use it and you'd be out a buck, but a terrorist might want to destroy money for some nefarious purpose. You might however want to write something on it like a phone number, but your intent probably would not be to render it unfit to be spent as you'd be out a buck.
So what purpose might writing on a dollar be considered a crime? If a business bought a lot of one dollar bills and printed a logo or web address: 18 USC Section 475 regards the attachment of advertisement to legal tender.
 
What about having a dollar signed by a celebrity? The United States Department of Treasury’s Bureau of Printing and Engraving discourages writing on money but has had spokes persons and fact sheets that make statements saying it is not necessarily a crime for example to have a celebrity sign a dollar bill. This could be because the bill is not meant to be placed back in circulation, since it would most likely be saved as a celebrity autograph souvenir as well as there would be no intent to make it unusable. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have refused to sign dollar bills, but Bill Clinton, George Bush and some Treasury Secretaries have signed them as well as many many celebrities(check Ebay) .

So is the Where's George and similar websites breaking the law? Probably not as they state "we do not encourage the defacement of US Currency" and do not seem to be the one's actually stamping the bills "We no longer sell any Where's George? rubber stamps.". Also since Wheresgeorge.com has received an estimated 244,300 visits over the last month, if they were breaking the law, you would assume the Secret Service would have already stepped in at some point since the site was officially launched in December 1998.

What about squishing a penny in those souvenir machines? A fraudulent intent is required for the criminal violation, so the act of compressing coins into souvenirs does not appear to be illegal without other factors existing. Since 'you' are making an impression on the coin and a business is not impressing or attaching a business or card or advertisement to the coin no laws seem to be being broke.

By the way if you are a celebrity and want to sign and send me a dollar (or Hundred dollar bill, since I'm not going to tell you what you can or can not write on) you can mail it to PO Box 459, Tolleson, AZ 85353.

Sources:
-FoxNews.com - By Kimberly Schwandt - Published July 05, 2012 - Oak, Harbor, Ohio - President Obama turned down the offer to sign a dollar bill, citing it as a federal offense to write on currency.
-Politifact.com - By Bill Adair - December 19th, 2007 - Des Moines, Iowa - Hillary Clinton was asked by a shopper to autograph a dollar bill. She refused saying it is illegal to sign money.
- Encyclopedia of the Modern Elongated - by Angelo Rosato - Reproduced letter from the Department of the Treasury to Mr. Vance Fowler.
- wheresgeorge.com/faq-rules-privacy.php
- http://www.moneyfactory.gov/historicallegislation.html

United States Secret Service is the department tasked with enforcement of defacement of currency, they are also the agency that deals with counter fit currency.

*I am not a lawyer, above is my opinion on the law and should not be taken as legal advice. 

Deciphering the mysteries of history in a dollar bill

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How much is a dollar worth?

 

Each bill costs the government about 7 cents to print. You cannot trade in a dollar bill to the government for gold or any other commodity, so technically the dollar bill has no value other than that which a nation's citizens agree the bill is worth to each other.

The worth of US currency is related to a decree by the government that a dollar bill is legal tender for all debts public and private. This means if someone attempts to pay a debt using US dollars, the person being paid must accept the currency as a form of payment or the government will not recognize the debt. However, there does not seem to be Federal statute that mandates a private businesses must accept cash as a form of payment. Private businesses are free to refuse cash as payment for goods unless there is a State law which says otherwise.

Click here for more Interesting facts about US Currency

Worth the paper printed on?

 

US bills are made from a blend of linen and cotton with red and blue silk fibers woven into the currency. Us 'paper' money is not made from pressed wood fiber or common paper. This is why dollar bills don't fall apart in the washing machine like receipts when left in your pocket.

The Great Seal of the United States

 

The back of the dollar bill features the both sides of 'The Great Seal of the United States' designed in 1782. This seal was designed by the Founding Fathers, the first of three groups consisted of Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson. Two other groups were involved before the final design was approved by the US Congress. The unfinished pyramid, was not part of the Franklin, Adams and Jefferson proposed design.

 

Bald Eagle

 

An animal native to America was to become the nation's symbol: In its talons the eagle holds 13 arrows and olive branches with 13 leaves, signifying war and peace.

Annuit Coeptis

 

1 of the 3 Latin phrases printed on the back of the dollar bill; Annuit Coeptis translates as "God has favored our undertakings". Benjamin Franklin, George Washington and other the Founding Fathers believed that it was God's will behind the birth of the United States and that not one man alone but a group of people with the help of God can do great things.

Novus Ordo Seclorum

 

Another of the 3 Latin phrases printed on the back of the bill; translates as "New order of the ages". Charles Thomson, who was involved in the design of The Great Seal of the United States, suggested the phrase to signify "the new American Era" which began in 1776 with the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

E Pluribus Unum

 

Another of the 3 Latin phrases, E Pluribus Unum translates as "Out of many, one": The 13 colonies unified to form one nation under god.

MDCCLXXVI at the bottom of the pyramid

 

MDCCLXXVI are Roman numerals for the year 1776. Adding the Roman numeral series (M/1000, D/500, C/100, C/100, L/50, X/10, X/10, V/5, I/1) under the pyramid together and you get 1776; the year the 'new American Era' began.

Unfinished pyramid with a glowing eye

 

The 'Eye of Providence' is a visual representation of the phrase Annuit Coeptis (God has favored our undertakings), the Founding Father's ideal that God looked upon the new nation with favor.

Charles Thomson believed the pyramid represented strength and endurance (time). Though he did not explain the unfinished state; the pyramid stops at 13 steps which is the number of the original colonies. Many believe the it being unfinished at 13 to signify our nation was unfinished and would grow.

Thirteen colonies (or states) came together to form the United States of  America and he number 13 is represented in many places on the dollar bill.

-The Bald Eagle is holding an olive branch in its right talon with 13 leaves standing for peace.

-In the left talon, the Eagle is holding 13 arrows signifying war.

-The shield over the Eagle's chest has 13 bars and over the Eagle's head, there are 13 stars.

-E Pluribus Unum, on the scroll hanging from the eagle's beak has 13 letters.

-The phrase Annuit Coeptis also has 13 letters

On the front of a dollar, the letter inside the black seal identifies the Federal Reserve bank which placed the order and the letter corresponds to the black number that is printed four times on the face of the bill.

A/1 = Boston

B/2 = New York City

C/3 = Philadelphia

D/4 = Cleveland

E/5 = Richmond, Va.

F/6 = Atlanta

G/7= Chicago

H/8 = St. Louis

I/9= Minneapolis

J/10 = Kansas City

K/11 = Dallas

L/12 = San Francisco.

Friday the 13th: Origins, History and Myths of the Unlucky Day

Friday the 13th: Origins, History, and Superstitions Behind the Unlucky Day

📅 Friday, November 13, 2015, marks the third Friday the 13th of the year, following those in February and March. While some see it as just another day, others suffer from paraskevidekatriaphobia or friggatriskaidekaphobia—the fear of Friday the 13th. This superstition is so widespread that it’s estimated to cause over $800 million in economic losses annually, as many people avoid flying, cancel business deals, or alter their daily routines due to the fear of bad luck.

But where did this belief originate? And why is Friday the 13th still seen as a day of misfortune, horror, and superstition in modern times?

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The History of Friday the 13th Superstition

Although Friday and the number 13 have long been associated with bad luck separately, their connection as a singular day of misfortune was not documented until the 19th century, primarily in American and British folklore. However, many cultures throughout history have considered both Fridays and the number 13 unlucky, fueling the superstition over time.

Religious and Historical Influences on Friday the 13th

✝️ Christianity & The Last Supper – One of the most cited origins ties back to Judas Iscariot, the 13th guest at Jesus' Last Supper, who later betrayed him. Additionally, Jesus was crucified on a Friday, further solidifying the idea that Friday and the number 13 together symbolize bad luck.

📖 Medieval Literature & Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales – The 14th-century writings of Geoffrey Chaucer also reference Friday as a day of misfortune, warning against starting journeys or new ventures on this day.

⚔️ Knights Templar & Friday the 13th, 1307 – A well-known theory suggests that the mass arrest of the Knights Templar, ordered by King Philip IV of France, occurred on Friday, October 13, 1307. The violent persecution of the Templars is believed to have contributed to the fear surrounding the date.

🕉️ Ancient Egyptian & Norse Mythology – The Ancient Egyptians saw 13 as a sacred number representing the final stage of spiritual ascension, rather than bad luck. Meanwhile, Norse mythology tells of a 13th uninvited guest, Loki, bringing chaos to Valhalla, leading to the death of Balder the Good, reinforcing the ill-fated symbolism of 13 guests at a gathering.

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Global Superstitions About Unlucky Days

🌎 Friday the 13th is NOT universal! While Western cultures fear Friday the 13th, other countries have their own unlucky days:

• Spanish & Greek Traditions – Tuesday the 13th is considered unlucky instead of Friday.
• Italian Superstition – Friday the 17th is feared more than the 13th.
• Asian Tetraphobia – Many East and Southeast Asian cultures fear the number 4 more than 13 due to its phonetic similarity to the word for death.

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Modern Impact of Friday the 13th Superstitions

Even today, Friday the 13th affects business, pop culture, and even architecture:

🏨 No 13th Floor – Many hotels, office buildings, and apartment complexes skip labeling a 13th floor due to superstition.
⚰️ Gallows & Execution – Historically, there were 13 steps leading to the gallows, adding to the ominous nature of the number.
🧙 Witchcraft & Folklore – A traditional coven is said to be made up of 13 witches, reinforcing its mystical associations.
🎬 Friday the 13th in Pop Culture – The 1980 horror film "Friday the 13th" immortalized the superstition in cinema, making Jason Voorhees a slasher movie icon.
🚀 Apollo 13 – NASA’s Unlucky Mission? – The only failed moon landing mission, Apollo 13, was marred by an explosion that forced the crew to abort their lunar mission, reinforcing the superstition in modern times.

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Common Myths & Superstitions About Friday the 13th

🔪 If you cut your hair on Friday the 13th, someone in your family will die.
⚰️ Seeing a funeral procession means you’ll be the next to die.
✈️ Starting a trip on Friday the 13th leads to misfortune.
🍼 A child born on Friday the 13th will be unlucky for life.
⛵ Ships that set sail on a Friday are doomed to bad luck. (Better rethink that cruise!)

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Should You Be Worried About Friday the 13th?

While scientific evidence does not support any actual danger on Friday the 13th, millions of people still feel uneasy about it. Whether rooted in religious beliefs, historical events, or Hollywood horror, the superstition remains one of the most well-known in the world.

So, whether you choose to avoid traveling, postpone major decisions, or lean into the spooky vibes of the day, just remember—luck is what you make of it!

🚀 For more fascinating superstitions, myths, and eerie historical facts, be sure to check out our other articles on paranormal phenomena and urban legends!