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Most superstitions go back centuries, and these old sailors' superstitions are no different. Though some of these have faded over time, many of these superstitions still stand strong among seamen. You might be aware of the fact that sailors are fond of tattoos, for instance, but did you know that bananas on board are considered to be a bad omen?
Like these, there are many other fascinating superstitions from the old days. Click on and get to know them.
The caul of a newborn (a thin membrane that covers the head of newborns) is considered to bring good luck. Most babies aren’t born with it, so it is kind of special.
According to superstition, those who own the lucky charm are safe from shipwrecks and can avoid drowning. The roots of the superstition are not well known, but the first recorded reference to it dates back to 1797.
Breaking eggshells on board is a way to stay safe from witches. The connection is made in Reginald Scot's 1584 book ‘The Discoverie of Witchcraft,’ which says that witches had the ability to sail the seven seas using unbroken eggshells as boats.
Another reference is made in Elizabeth Fleming's 1936 poem ‘Eggshells,’ which goes: "Oh, never leave your egg-shells unbroken in the cup; Think of us poor sailor-men and always smash them up, For witches come and find them and sail away to sea, And make a lot of misery for mariners like me."
Sailors and tattoos have always gone hand in hand ever since James Cook and his crew first witnessed the body art form in the Pacific in 1769. Tattoos have different meanings for sailors. Some symbolize accomplishments, while others are meant to bring good luck.
For instance, dual images of the rooster and pig were used as protection against drowning.
Red skies can have two meanings for sailors, depending on whether they appear during the morning or night. This weather lore is pretty well known and goes: “Red sky at night, sailor’s delight. Red sky in morning, sailor’s warning.”
Red skies at night means that the weather is clear, and that sunlight has bounced off rain clouds that have already passed. This is particularly true if you're in the West. Red skies in the morning, however, are usually a sign of light bouncing off high clouds, which can indeed mean that bad weather is on the way. So, not such an irrational superstition after all, right?
When we think of pirates, large gold hoop earrings often come to mind. It turns out that seamen believed that golden earrings could actually cure a number of conditions, including sea sickness, as well as provide protection against drowning.
Gold has long been part of medical history, and it was used in the Middle Ages for medicinal purposes. The gold earrings also came in handy if something went wrong, as they could be used to pay for a sailor’s funeral. Sometimes sailors would carve their birth towns in the earrings, in case their bodies were found so people would know where to send them.
Albatrosses are believed to be the "incarnations of wandering souls," including those of old sailors. Spotting one and having its company is considered a good omen for sailors.
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Bread has different meanings. In England, for instance, bread baked on Good Friday was gifted to sailors for good luck.
Pieces of bread were also often thrown into the sea as offerings, so that the weather conditions would improve.
Whistling on board was a no-no. This was believed to attract bad weather, including strong winds and storms.
Whistling, in general, has been associated with misfortune and the summoning of evil spirits. These beliefs can be found across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Do not, under any circumstances, change a ship’s name. When a ship is christened, its name is kept in a leger of the ruler of the oceans (Poseidon). Doing so would be offensive for the sea god.
If you really need to change the name of a ship, there is a complex renaming ceremony that you can undergo. It involves removing all vestiges of the previous name, asking Poseidon for permission, plus appeasing the four wind gods.
This superstition is believed to date back to the 1700s, and it essentially forbids bananas on board. The reason? Well, bananas would often be accompanied by spiders, whose bite was sometimes fatal for crew members.
Plus, they would rot quickly and release ethylene gas, which would rot other fruit as well. Not to mention that the gas is flammable. This explains why so many ships carrying bananas from the Caribbean to Europe went missing.
Sharks following your ship is not a good omen. Quite the opposite: it’s usually a sign of death.
On the other hand, having dolphins tailing your vessel is a very good sign!
Manta rays were believed to be able to attach themselves to a ship’s anchor and drag it down to the depths of the ocean.
Redheads were considered unlucky to bring on board. Apparently, flat-footed people were also not welcomed!
Starting a voyage on a Friday is not a good omen. Some sources link this superstition to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Thursday is no good either, as Thursday is Thor’s day, and no sailor wants to experience the wrath of the god of storms.
The first Monday of April is also not a good day to set sail, as it was the day Cain killed Abel. Nor is the second Monday in August, which is the day Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed.
Some words just cannot be said if one doesn’t want to bring misfortune upon them. These include saying “goodbye” and “drowned." And, of course, never say "good luck."
It’s believed that drawing blood (either accidentally or on purpose) before setting sail and beginning a new fishing season brings good luck.
Cats, especially black ones, get a bad rep, unless, of course, you’re a sailor. Cats are associated with good luck, so having one on board is a good thing. The superstition may have something to do with the fact that they hunt rats.
Flowers are a bad omen for sailors, perhaps because of their link to funerals.
Sources: (Australian National Maritime Museum)(Grunge) (New Zealand Maritime Museum) (Discover Boating) (BOATERexam.com) (Great Lakes Proud) (SeaHelp)
Do you believe in these old sailors' superstitions?
No bananas, no whistling, and no redheads on board!
LIFESTYLE Sailing
Most superstitions go back centuries, and these old sailors' superstitions are no different. Though some of these have faded over time, many of these superstitions still stand strong among seamen. You might be aware of the fact that sailors are fond of tattoos, for instance, but did you know that bananas on board are considered to be a bad omen?
Like these, there are many other fascinating superstitions from the old days. Click on and get to know them.