Friday the 13th: Superstition, Slasher Films, and the Tattoo Tradition That Followed

Friday the 13th: Superstition, Slasher Films, and the Tattoo Tradition That Followed

Friday the 13th has a reputation. Some people won’t travel. Others won’t make big decisions. Tattoo artists, on the other hand, see it as one of the best days of the year.

Before it became a tattoo tradition, Friday the 13th was already wrapped in fear, folklore, and pop culture. With February’s Friday the 13th tattoo event at Copperhead Tattoo & Piercing in Austin, let’s dive into the lore behind the date and how it eventually turned into one of tattooing’s most loved rituals.

Why Is Friday the 13th Considered Unlucky?

The superstition around Friday the 13th goes back centuries, and it did not start with tattoos or horror movies.

The number 13 has long been seen as unlucky in Western culture. Some trace it to religious stories, like the Last Supper having 13 people present. Others point to the idea that 12 represents completion, making 13 feel disruptive or out of place.

Friday already had a bad reputation on its own. Historically, it was considered an unlucky day for travel, business, and major life events. Combine Friday with the number 13, and you get a date that people learned to fear.

There is even a name for it: paraskevidekatriaphobia, or the fear of Friday the 13th.

Tattoo culture saw something else entirely.

How Friday the 13th Became Horror Movie Royalty

The superstition might have started the fear, but pop culture cemented it.

In 1980, the release of the film Friday the 13th turned the date into a full-blown horror icon. The movie followed the slasher formula that defined an era, and its success spawned an entire franchise. Jason Voorhees, hockey mask and all, became permanently linked to the date.

From then on, Friday the 13th represented danger, rebellion, and thrill. It was no longer just unlucky. It was edgy, dramatic, and a little fun to flirt with.

All qualities tattoo culture knows well.

Why Tattoo Artists Embraced the Date

Tattooing has always lived just outside the mainstream. For decades, it was associated with sailors, bikers, punks, and people who were not interested in playing it safe.

Friday the 13th fit perfectly into that world.

Early tattooers leaned into symbols of luck, fate, death, and defiance. The number 13, black cats, skulls, daggers, and dice all became staples of traditional flash.

Getting tattooed on a day considered unlucky felt like tempting fate, and walking away with permanent art made it even better.

The Modern Friday the 13th Tattoo Tradition

While the symbolism existed for decades, the Friday the 13th tattoo event as we know it today traces back to 2008 and legendary tattoo artist Oliver Peck.

On Friday the 13th, Peck tattooed the number 13 for 24 hours straight. One tattoo after another. No breaks. No slowing down.

That marathon caught attention across the tattoo world and sparked a movement. Tattoo shops began hosting their own Friday the 13th events, offering small flash tattoos at affordable prices. Flash designs made it possible to tattoo large numbers of people while keeping quality high.

What started as one wild idea quickly became a global tradition.

Why Flash Tattoos Are Still Part of the Ritual

Flash tattoos are a key part of Friday the 13th culture.

They are pre-drawn, quick to apply, and designed for efficiency. More importantly, they encourage spontaneity. You show up, choose a design, and commit.

No months of planning. No overthinking. Just instinct and trust.

That energy is exactly why Friday the 13th tattoos still feel special, even decades later.

Friday the 13th at Copperhead Tattoo & Piercing

At Copperhead Tattoo & Piercing in Austin, Friday the 13th is about honoring tattoo history while creating a fun, welcoming experience for the community.

For February’s Friday the 13th event, you can expect:

• Custom flash pieces designed by Copperhead artists ($50 Cash Only)

• $13 Piercings (not including cost of jewelry)

• A lively shop atmosphere built around community and creativity

Whether you are getting your first tattoo or piercing, or adding another piece to your collection, you are stepping into a tradition rooted in folklore, pop culture, and tattoo history.

Thinking About Joining the Tradition?

If you are planning to get a Friday the 13th tattoo, here are a few tips:

• Eat beforehand and stay hydrated (Bonus: bring snacks for while you wait)

• Arrive early and expect a wait (Doors open at 12pm)

• Know what you want when it’s your turn

• Meet fellow tattoo lovers and enjoy the experience
  

Friday the 13th tattoos and piercings are meant to be fun, spontaneous, and memorable.

From ancient superstition to slasher films to a 24-hour tattoo marathon, the tradition has come a long way. Now it’s your turn to be part of it.

Walk-Ins Are Always Welcome!

Come see us at Copperhead for your next tattoo or piercing.