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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