I’ve always had a special place in my heart for Friday the 13th. While some may avoid it like the plague, I’ve embraced it, often seeing it as a “bonus Halloween” sprinkled throughout the year. There’s something about the thrill of the so-called unlucky day that stirs my fascination with the mysterious and macabre

My love for this day deepened after visiting the Winchester Mystery House. Sarah Winchester, the widow of firearm magnate William Winchester, was obsessed with the number 13, which appears in multiple details throughout the mansion. This includes 13 candles in the ballroom chandelier, 13 coat hooks in the seance room, and 13 windows in the 13th bathroom, among others. She seemed to weave the number into her very existence, believing it could ward off evil spirits.

Here is an old photo of (a part of) the House, from a trip with my dear friend in 2011. 

The fear of Friday the 13th, though, isn’t as ancient as you might think. It’s a modern amalgamation of various historical, cultural, and literary influences. For example, the number 13 has been considered unlucky for ages. The story of the Last Supper, where Judas, the 13th guest, betrayed Jesus and similarly, in Norse mythology, the mischief-maker Loki was the uninvited 13th guest at a banquet in Valhalla. His arrival led to the tragic death of the beloved god Balder. Both stories forever associating the number 13 with disaster.

And let’s not forget the vilification of Fridays. For centuries, Friday has been linked to bad luck, which some suggest could relate to the suppression of pagan traditions. The day was once associated with goddesses like Frigg and Freya, symbols of love and fertility. Over time, these powerful feminine deities were demonized, and the day once sacred to them was transformed into a day of misfortune.

Today, Friday the 13th is a staple in pop culture, with its spooky and unlucky reputation cemented in films, books, and folklore. But I say—why not celebrate it? Let’s embrace the mystery and the thrill.

The idea for the XIII Ring struck me months ago, rocking my baby to sleep in the middle of the night on the last Friday the 13th. I knew I wouldn’t make it in time for that one, but I had to hold onto every detail for the next. (Anyone else get their best ideas at 3 AM, only to forget them by morning? Let’s blame the sleep-deprived, breastfeeding brain!)

the XIII Ring, a limited-edition design inspired by the eerie feels of Friday the 13th. Carved in an architectural signet style, with Roman numerals delicately formed from real cat bones. On each side; tiny spiderwebs, while the texture evokes the weathered surface of ancient headstones. This piece is the perfect artifact to add to your collection on such an iconic day.