The day before Valentine’s, you can usually see couples holding hands, partners rushing for last-minute flowers, and people celebrating Galentine’s. But one thing that makes this year’s Valentine’s eve extra special is it lands on the superstitious day Friday the 13th. This happens roughly once every decade or so: The last time was in 2015, and the next one will be in 2032.
Whether you’re a witchy aficionado of all things superstitious or a person who loves a good deal, Friday the 13th is a special day for the tattoo lovers, with discount prices offered for flash tattoos at many parlors throughout the city. But the added Valentine’s twist spices things up with romantic themes.
Audrey Chuakay and her boyfriend Gianni Castillo both have inked sleeves, and came down from Daly City to get matching cursive “4ever” tattoos at Everlasting Tattoo on Divisadero. The couple has been coming to Everlasting on Friday the 13th for the past couple yeas, a new tradition. They met in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and have been dating for roughly a year and a half. To stay connected in a meaningful way, they decided on matching tattoos.
“Some people say it’s bad luck, and that’s where with tattoo culture, we’re kind of flipping the script. It’s your good luck time to get a tattoo” because of the reduced prices, said Castillo. Chuakay’s advice for people looking to get a tattoo on Friday the 13th is, “Don’t be scared. You’re going to be like ‘I need more,’ and you’re gonna be addicted.”
Before getting into tattoos, Chuakay never knew too much about Friday the 13th superstition—she learned about it mostly because of the tattoo deals, “I’m a coupon queen, so whatever is cheaper than regular [prices is great]. And I love supporting local businesses” said Chuakay.
Noah Spurn, who grew up in San Francisco’s Excelsior and Sunset Districts and now works as an EMT in San Mateo, is a big tattoo enthusiast. He currently has seven, but wants to one day have tattoos all over his body.
This year was Spurn’s first time getting a tattoo on Friday the 13th. He felt inclined to do so because of the discount rates at La Rosa tattoo parlor on Market and 14th Streets in San Francisco. Prices ranged from $80-$150 for certain art styles. Spurn got two black and white tattoos, one of a smiling cat clock on his inner bicep, and another that featured two nails crossed in an X on the inner crease of his elbow.
Spurn waited roughly three hours, but said it was worth it. “It’s a really popular day to get tattoos, and it’s just so much fun. It’s the best thing to spend your money on because clothes you lose them, or they can get ripped, but tattoos are permanent. They’re on your body, and it supports local artists.”
