Friday the 13th is the stuff of myths and legends and seen in many parts of the world a day of bad luck. Just the oppositive will be true, however, on Friday the 13th of October as it will be World Egg Day.
The event was first held back in 1996 and has now spread to over 100 countries.
This year’s theme is “Eggs for a healthy future,” with a focus on the highly nutritious and versatile value of eggs. The initiative will shine a spotlight on the vast range of unique benefits that eggs can bring to human and planetary health, contributing to a healthier future to all, its organizer, the International Egg Commission (IEC) says.
The IEC continues that eggs combat common nutrient deficiencies that often go unaddressed but are critical for optimal health and performance. Beyond their nutritional powers, eggs are also one of the most environmentally sustainable animal-source proteins.
To support egg businesses in their celebrations, the IEC has created an industry toolkit, which includes themes and key messages, ready-made social media graphics and inspiration for 2022’s activities.
This year, for the first time, the IEC has also created a children’s activity pack to spread the message of egg nutrition to the younger generation.
Friday the 13th October, to me, sounds really rather positive, but where do the associations with bad luck and Friday the 13th come from?
Beware mistletoe-poisoned arrows
According to Wikipedia there are various possible explanations. Thirteen may be considered unlucky for a number of reasons, and it has not always been connected to Friday.
In Norse legend, 12 gods sat down to eat in Valhalla. A thirteenth arrived and arranged for one of the guests to be shot and killed with a mistletoe-poisoned arrow. This “bad, and unlucky day” in Norse mythology caused 13 to be considered unlucky.
Its Christian associations stem from there being 13 individuals present at Jesus’ last supper, which took place on the 13th of the month.
These two associations have a common element – on both occasions the guests were eating!
I am reliably informed that eggs were not on the menu on either occasion so you can safely sit down to an egg-based dinner on World Egg Day. But should you see a mistletoe-poisoned arrow heading your way, it will probably best to leave the celebrations behind.
