It is probably the most superstitious day on the calendar, and Friday the 13th has come around again.
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Those who believe in its powers are avoiding walking under ladders and steering clear of black cats today.
It is such a widespread fear that psychologists have a name for people who suffer the affliction: paraskevidekatriaphobes.
It is no wonder they worry about the date, as there has been a host of awful incidents on Friday the 13th throughout the years.
The Costa Concordia cruise liner ran into trouble off the Italian coast on January 13, 2012.
Rapper Tupac Shakur was shot dead in Las Vegas on a black Friday, September 13, 1996.
The Bhola cyclone, one of the deadliest on record, killed about 500,000 people in what is now known as Bangladesh on Friday, November 13, 1970.
The contentious date affected the Royal Family in 1940 when, on September 13, Buckingham Palace and its grounds took direct hits during the Blitz of World War II.
The incident killed one person.
Jimboomba woman Shannon Jennings remains unconcerned about any possible bad luck cats bring.
The family's Scottish heritage meant she believed cats brought good luck.
"They believe that cats of any type ward off evil spirits," Shannon said.
Bentley is the second black cat she has had. Oki is much-missed.
Shannon urged people to consider visiting the pound and adopting a black cat today.
"Black cats are the least adopted at the pound," she said.
Michelle Williams said she was unconcerned about the superstition.
She did not want to avoid her moggy.
"We love our black cat, Parker," she said.
"No avoiding him. He loves his food and follows me everywhere."
Tiffany Dillon does not worry about the date.
"I find it's normally extra lucky for me," she said.
Deborah Connolly wanted the day to bring better luck.
"The whole year has been bad luck for me, so I pray the 13th is a good omen," she said.
Renee Webb enjoyed the luck the date has brought her.
"My eldest was born on Friday the 13th, and her birthday once again falls on the 13th," she said.
Today is the first of two Friday the 13ths in 2020. The next one is in September.
