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Friday the 13th, a date historically associated with superstition and bad luck, has become a prominent event in the tattoo world.
What was once viewed as an ominous day is now marked by special deals and themed designs, turning it into an occasion for body art enthusiasts who are getting prepared for a Friday the 13th event coming Sept. 13 and again in December.
“When it comes to the artists, it’s not necessarily about the money it’s more about the community, it’s fun for all of us and it only happens a couple times a year,” said Hannah Fischer, owner of Rebel Ink Tattoo Studio in Goodyear.
The superstition surrounding Friday the 13th has historical and cultural origins. The number 13 has long been considered unlucky, influenced by various traditions.
In Norse mythology, Loki, the 13th guest at a banquet, caused disruption leading to the death of the god Balder. In Christianity, Judas Iscariot, the 13th guest at the Last Supper, betrayed Jesus, who was crucified on a Friday. These stories contributed to the date’s association with misfortune, but anthropologists struggle to pin down the superstition’s exact origin.
The superstition came back to forefront of popular culture in 1980 when the original “Friday the 13th” movie was brought to the big screen. Since then, the franchise has bled into 12 slasher films, a television series, novels, comic books and video games.
“The theme is always spooky, so it’s nice that this time around it falls close to Halloween,” Fischer said. “This is the best year for Friday the 13th.”
Having recently inherited the shop from her father, this will be Fischer’s first time running a Friday the 13th event, although she has had years of experience working the event starting at just 12 years old.
The practice of Friday the 13th tattooing began gaining attention in the late 20th century. Oliver Peck, an American tattoo artist and judge on “Ink Master,” is often credited with popularizing this tradition in the 1990s.
Peck’s approach involved offering discounted tattoos and limited-edition designs on this date, helping to establish Friday the 13th as an event in the tattoo community. By the early 1990s, many tattoo parlors in the United States adopted this practice, drawing clients with special promotions related to the date’s themes.
A key aspect of Friday the 13th tattooing is the use of flash tattoos, pre-designed images created by tattoo artists and displayed in studios. These designs, which often feature classic motifs such as hearts, skulls, ghosts and the number 13, are available for clients to choose from and are typically offered at a fixed price that is far below the shop’s usual minimum, typically $13 or $33.
“We’ve learned to simplify it, keeping everything palm sized with the same needle grouping size across all of the designs,” said Juelz Dequinoes, a tattooist at Bright Ideas Tattoo & Piercing in Avondale.
Bright Ideas Tattoo & Piercing is the oldest tattoo shop in the West Valley, Dequinoes said, with artist and piercing professionals working at the shop for more than 24 years.
In addition to tattoos, many studios also offer special promotions on piercings during Friday the 13th events. Similar to flash tattoos, piercings are available at reduced prices. This inclusion attracts clients interested in body modification beyond tattoos.Commonly featured piercings include earlobe, nostril and eyebrow piercings all performed by experienced professionals.
Friday the 13th events can become very busy. Known as the Black Friday of body modifications, tattoo and piercing shops often see a significant increase in clientele as enthusiasts take advantage of the deals and have patrons lined up hours before opening to be served first.
Rebel Ink Tattoo Studio was founded after Fischer’s dad went to a Friday the 13th event more than 15 years ago. “These days were his pride and joy,” Fischer said.
“It’s every artist’s favorite day, and least favorite day because they are going to be working from sunup to sun down,” Fischer said.
Studios may operate with extended hours or additional staff to accommodate the influx of customers. The high volume of visitors creates a lively atmosphere, with longer wait times and crowded spaces becoming common. Clients are encouraged to bring seating and entertainment as they can expect to be waiting out in the heat for hours.
“We triple our weekly order for the time we’ll need the supplies,” Dequinoes said. “It’s a lot of tattoos, a lot of people, so make sure everyone brings snacks and waters. It gets hot being in a building with multiple people in it, it gets hotter outside.”
After being seen and serviced, patrons are expected to care for the new art they carry on them. Aftercare is essential for healing and maintaining the quality of a tattoo.
Friday the 13th tattooing provides an opportunity for artists and shops to increase business and attract new clients, it makes tattoos and piercings more accessible and integrates these practices into broader cultural conversations.
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