Friday, December 13, 2013

Friday 13th


 

By Rudy Olano
12-13-13
 
 
 

 

Friday the thirteenth is day that can trigger different emotions from people with superstitious belief that is embedded and sprinkled within Eastern and Western cultures. Pondered as unlucky day, the combination of tragic Friday and number thirteen created a combination that some folklore heralded as “unlucky day.” Seafarers considered starting voyage on Friday is unlucky. Christians observed crucifixion and death of Jesus on Friday. As the faithful mourned on this day, strangely they called it as “Good Friday.” Though number twelve is favored due to its wholeness, e.g.,  twelve months in a year, twelve hours in a day, twelve tribes of Israel, twelve Apostles of Jesus, twelve successors of Muhammad, etc.. thirteen is irregular, out  of place, order, and unbalance.

A version of the origin of fridaythirteenphobia  steams from the same day in October 1307 when the King of France arrested hundreds of members of Knights Templar. Many were tortured and died during advance interrogation techniques of the day. Recent books such as John J Robinson’s Born in Blood: The Lost Secrets of Freemasonry and Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code spread this historical event. The legend of the Grand Master cursing the King and Pope and the eventual fulfillment of the damnation also marked the end of the Knights Templar as an organization. And that’s what accepted history wanted us to believe. But did it or not? Did the Order ceased to exist along with its accumulated wealth and treasures or went underground and morphed into something else?

The end of the Order might be true in France and Italy but the King of France doesn’t have authority in Germany, Spain, England or Cyprus. English even claimed that the Knights Templars aided  Scottish King Robert the Bruce during the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. Portugal with the King Dinis I sponsorship, Knights Templar became Order of Christ in 1317 thus saving members from prosecution while the King received strong ally in military capabilities and economic muscle. Noted explorers such as Henry the Navigator, Vasco da Gama and Ferdinand Magellan  are known members of the Order and its worth mentioning that Christopher Columbus’ flagship Santa Maria sails was adorned with Templars red pattee. In our contemporary time, it is quite interesting to see the red pattee adorned the habiliment of Pope Francis. For an organization rich with traditions, red cross on a white sash or robe is a symbol with a statement. ... Veiled in allegories and illustrated by symbols... hiding in plain sight---only those who understand the symbols will appreciate the secrets or mysteries. The Knights Templars unfortunate Friday 13th, red pattee on Santa Maria’s sail or Pope’s garment are all symbols with different meaning to those who see refraction of light from a prism of his own belief. Beauty is in the eyes of beholder which speaks volume of its likeness to the definition of Freemasonry. Like symbol with intended meaning but can be interpreted in a different languages, are we seeking relative truth or the absolute truth--- what we are really in search of?

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