Sailors' superstitions
Sailors' superstitions are superstitions particular to sailors or mariners, and which traditionally have been common around the world. Some of these beliefs are popular superstitions, while others are better described as traditions, stories, folklore, tropes, myths, or legend.
The origins of many of these superstitions are based in the inherent risks of
Bad luck
By far the best known sailors' superstitions involve bad luck.
Red sunrise
Sailors are taught if the sunrise is red to take warning. The day ahead will be dangerous.
"Red Sky at night, Sailors delight; Red Sky in the morning, Sailors take warning." It may also be said as; "Red at morning, Sailors warning; Red at night, Sailors delight," or "Red sky at night, Sailor's delight; Red sky at morn, Sailor be warned."
This saying actually has some scientific validity, although it assumes storms systems will approach from the west, and is therefore generally correct only at mid-latitudes where, due to the rotation of the Earth, prevailing winds travel west to east. If the morning skies are red, it is because clear skies over the horizon to the east permit the sun to light the undersides of moisture-bearing clouds. Conversely, in order to see red clouds in the evening, sunlight must have a clear path from the west, so therefore the prevailing westerly wind must be bringing clear skies. Basically, this means if there is a red sky, Sun, or clouds at morning, it might mean there will be a storm, or severe winds will come. Although, if there is a red sky, Sun, or clouds at night, there will be clear skies, soft or no winds, and you have a good day ahead of you.
Jonah
A "Jonah" is a long-established expression among sailors, meaning a person (either a sailor or a passenger) who is bad luck, which is based on the Biblical prophet
Unlucky days
Friday is considered to be an unlucky day in some cultures, and perhaps the most enduring sailing superstition is that it is unlucky to begin a voyage or 'set sail' on a Friday.[3][4] However, this superstition is not universal.[5] In the 19th century Admiral William Henry Smyth, writing in his nautical lexicon The Sailor's Word-Book, described Friday as
The Dies Infaustus, on which old seamen were desirous of not getting under weigh, as ill-omened.[6]
(Dies Infaustus means "unlucky day".[7]) This superstition is the root of the well-known urban legend of HMS Friday.
Sailors are often reluctant to set sail on Candlemas Day, believing that any voyage begun then will end in disaster.[citation needed] This may be related to the superstition to remove all Christmas decorations by Candlemas, a practice done well into Victorian times.[8]
In 18th century New England, rolling clouds and roaring waves were thought as bad omens, so sailing on days under such conditions was considered inadvisable.[9]
Sirens and Scylla
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/99/Odysseus_Sirens_BM_E440_n2.jpg/220px-Odysseus_Sirens_BM_E440_n2.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/The_Siren.jpg/170px-The_Siren.jpg)
Sirens were mythological, often dangerous and beautiful, creatures, portrayed as femmes fatales who lured nearby sailors with their enchanting music and voices to shipwreck on the rocky coast of their island.[10] They were portrayed in both Greek and Roman mythology as sea deities who lured mariners, and in Roman lore were daughters of Phorcys.[11][12] In the Odyssey, the hero Odysseus, wishing to hear the sirens' seductive and destructive song, must protect himself and his crew by having his fellow sailors tie him to the mast and then stop their own ears with wax (see image).
In another myth,
Another mythological creature, the Scylla, is a similar female sea demon that is both dangerous yet beautiful.[10] Sirens supposedly "lured mariners to their deaths with their melodious, enchanting song", while "Scylla sent countless sailors to the depths of the sea."[10]
On a related note, it was considered bad luck to have women on board, due to the potential for distractions which in turn would anger the sea gods and cause bad weather.[15] [16] [17]
Albatross
The albatross as a superstitious relic is referenced in Samuel Taylor Coleridge's well-known poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. It is considered very unlucky to kill an albatross; in Coleridge's poem, the narrator killed the bird and his fellow sailors eventually force him to wear the dead bird around his neck.
Bananas
Having bananas on a ship, especially on a private boat or fishing yacht, is considered bad luck. The origin of the superstition is unknown.[18]
Whistling
Whistling is usually considered to be bad luck with the possible exception of the sources mentioned below. It is said that to whistle is to challenge the wind itself, and that to do so will bring about a storm.[citation needed]
Ceremonial ship launching
During the christening ceremony for a ship, it is considered bad luck if the bottle swung against the side of the ship fails to break. [19]
Unlucky numbers
In North America and Western Europe,
In Italy, where 17 is considered unlucky, cruise ships built and operated by MSC Cruises lack a Deck 17.[21]
Good luck
Sailors also had a culture of items or practices that were believed to bring
Cats
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/81/%27Tiddles%27%2C_the_ship%27s_cat_of_HMS_VICTORIOUS%2C_at_his_favourite_station_on_the_after_capstan%2C_10_July_1942._A10646.jpg/200px-%27Tiddles%27%2C_the_ship%27s_cat_of_HMS_VICTORIOUS%2C_at_his_favourite_station_on_the_after_capstan%2C_10_July_1942._A10646.jpg)
While
Some sailors believed that
Cormorants
Cormorants, in some Scandinavian areas, are considered a good omen; in particular, in Norwegian tradition spirits of those lost at sea come to visit their loved ones disguised as cormorants.[28]
Whistling
Whistling on board a sailing ship is thought to encourage the wind strength to increase.[29] This is regularly alluded to in the Aubrey–Maturin books by Patrick O'Brian.
On boats and ships whistling was taboo as it was associated with coded communications between mutineers. The cook was usually excused, because as long as he was whistling, he was not stealing the food.[30]
Klabautermann
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fd/Klabautermann_on_ship.jpg/220px-Klabautermann_on_ship.jpg)
Traditionally, a type of
Patron saints
Sailors have had several
Lucky actions
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/08/Hot_cross_buns_for_Easter%2C_April_2006.jpg/220px-Hot_cross_buns_for_Easter%2C_April_2006.jpg)
It is often considered lucky to touch the collar of a sailor's suit.[41]
Mermaids and mermen
Mermaids usually are considered lucky, but not universally. In Trinidad and Tobago, sea-dwelling mer-men "were known to grant a wish, transform mediocrity into genius and confer wealth and power."[42]
Mermaids appear in
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/7/7a/Copenhagen_-_the_little_mermaid_statue_-_2013.jpg/220px-Copenhagen_-_the_little_mermaid_statue_-_2013.jpg)
Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale "
Sailors would look for mermaid's purses on beaches for signs of mermaids in the area.
Lore, mythology, and stories
Kraken were legendary sea monsters that may have been based on sightings of giant squids.[54]
Practices and semiotics
In relation to language and cultural practices, such sailors' superstitions are the consequence of folkloric practices or traditions whose meanings were once important signifiers, but now are lost to most modern sailors and laypersons alike.[55]
Sailor tattoos
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/08/Tattooed_sailor_aboard_the_USS_New_Jersey.jpg/220px-Tattooed_sailor_aboard_the_USS_New_Jersey.jpg)
Sailor tattoos are a visual way to preserve the culture of the maritime superstitions. Sailors believed that certain symbols and talismans would help them in facing certain events in life; they thought that those symbols would attract good luck or bad luck in the worst of the cases:
Sailors, at the constant mercy of the elements, often feel the need for religious images on their bodies to appease the angry powers that caused storms and drowning far from home.
— Tattoo Archives [56]
For example, the images of a pig and a hen were good luck; most of the smaller livestock aboard ships would float in their wooden crates and would be among the only survivors of wrecks, so these images were believed to help them survive a wreck.[57] Another example of superstitions is the North Star (nautical star or compass rose); sailors had the belief that by wearing this symbol it would help them to find his or her way home.[58] Sailors designed mariner motifs of their own, according to their travel experiences in the ocean.
The anchor is commonly used in sailor tattoos, which were supposed to prevent a sailor from floating away from the ship, should he fall overboard. The words 'HOLD FAST' tattooed on the knuckles would prevent a sailor from falling from aloft.[59][60]
Line-crossing
The
After crossing the line, Pollywogs receive
U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt described his Crossing the Line ceremony aboard the "Happy Ship" USS Indianapolis with his "Jolly Companions" in a letter to his wife Eleanor Roosevelt on 26 November 1936:
Marvelous costumes in which King Neptune and Queen Aphrodite [sic.] and their court appeared. The Pollywogs were given an intensive initiation lasting two days, but we have all survived and are now full-fledged Shellbacks"
— FDR [65]
Some cruise ships also have a line-crossing ceremony for their passengers.[66]
Over a barrel
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Punishment_of_the_Paddle%2C_1912.jpg/220px-Punishment_of_the_Paddle%2C_1912.jpg)
The phrase
Theories as to origins
Many theories have formed as to explain these phenomena and why they exist. Jakob Jakobsen theorised that such practices existed with the intent to confuse and ward off fairies and protect the sailors.[70] Lockwood concurred as well with the general line of thought and concluded it was also done so as to not summon dangerous animals such as whales or ravens.[71] Solheim follows this same line of thought and considers it also be done to protect loved ones back on land from such animals and spirits.[72]
Bairbre Ní Fhloinn critiques this line of thought concluding it to be reductionist and insulting to the intelligence of fishermen; however, she does admit it may be a factor.[73] Sailors are well aware of the inherent risks of sailing, and even in the 21st Century, "fishers and related fishing workers" in the U.S. have the second most dangerous occupation.[citation needed]
See also
- The Colossus of Rhodes (novel)
- Fata Morgana (mirage)
- Flying Dutchman
- Jesus walking on water
- Lady Lovibond
- List of bad luck signs
- Piracy in the Atlantic World
- Rabbits on the Isle of Portland
- Russian traditions and superstitions
- Sailor's Luck
- Storm petrel
- Theatrical superstitions
- Tide jewels
- Utsuro-bune
- Unknown Sailor
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