Sailing the open ocean can be both exhilarating and dangerous. Throughout history, sailors have relied on superstitions to navigate the unpredictable seas. These myths, often bizarre, provided comfort and a sense of control in a perilous environment. Let’s explore the real stories behind ten fascinating nautical superstitions.
Red Sky at Night
The saying goes, “Red sky at night, sailor’s delight; red sky at morning, sailors take warning.” A red sky at sunset, seen in the west, was considered good luck, while a red sky at sunrise meant impending doom.
This superstition has roots in science. Red skies indicate a high-pressure weather system. High-pressure systems typically bring light winds and calm weather, ideal for sailing. Since weather systems generally move from west to east, a red sky at night signals good weather is approaching. Conversely, a red sky in the morning suggests the high-pressure system has passed, and a low-pressure storm might be on its way.[1]
The Name Game
Renaming a ship was believed to invite bad luck. Sailors thought ships’ names were recorded in the “Ledger of the Deep,” managed by Poseidon (or Neptune). Changing a ship’s name was seen as disrespectful to the sea god, potentially incurring his wrath.
Captains forced to rename their ships had to perform elaborate ceremonies to appease Poseidon. This superstition has been around for centuries, mentioned in Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island and documented during the Golden Age of Sail.[2]
Albatross Antics
The albatross, a common sight in the open ocean, was considered an animal incarnation of lost spirits. Sailors believed each albatross represented the ghost of a dead sailor, watching over the ship and ensuring safe passage. Killing an albatross was a grave offense.
Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s poem, “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner,” solidified this belief. In the poem, a mariner kills an albatross, leading to misfortune and tragedy for the ship and its crew. This reinforced the idea that harming an albatross would bring terrible luck.[3]
All Ears!
Pirates often wore gold hoop earrings, believing they had medicinal properties, curing scurvy, blindness, and seasickness. Some even thought gold could prevent drowning.
In the Middle Ages, gold was considered a magical cure for various ailments. By the 18th century, the medicinal use of gold declined, but earrings served a practical purpose: funeral expenses. The gold could pay for a proper burial if a sailor died at sea, and some earrings were engraved with the sailor’s hometown for identification.[4]
The Caul of a Newborn
A caul, the birth membrane sometimes covering a newborn’s face, was considered a powerful good luck charm. Sailors believed that having a caul on board protected the vessel from storms and shipwrecks.
Captains would advertise in seaside newspapers for newborn’s cauls. Legend held that no sailor had ever drowned with a caul on board. This superstition dates back to the mid-1600s, highlighting the extreme lengths sailors went to for protection.[5]
Got a Loaf?
Bread-related superstitions were common. English sailors considered bread baked on Good Friday lucky, ensuring safe passage. They also tossed pieces of bread into the sea as the ship left port to guarantee good weather.
The English and French believed that upside-down bread on board led to shipwrecks. This originated in France, where bakers protesting baking bread for executioners would mark those loaves by turning them upside down. Sailors adopted this, believing upside-down bread brought misfortune.[6]
No Women, No Gingers
Women were considered bad luck on ships, believed to anger the seas and distract sailors, leading to poor navigational decisions. Ironically, ships were often named after women or adorned with female figureheads to ensure calm seas.
Redheaded people were also thought to bring bad luck. Sailors would avoid them or ensure they spoke first to override any potential misfortune. It’s a wonder how Irish sailors navigated these beliefs![7]
Broken Eggshells
Sailors were wary of witches and took measures to avoid them on board. Breaking eggshells dates back to the first century AD, with Pliny the Elder noting its use by sailors to ward off witches.
In the Middle Ages, witches were believed to sail in hollowed-out eggshells. Sailors would crush used eggshells into tiny pieces to prevent witches from commandeering them and cursing the ship. This practice continued into the early 20th century.[8]
Cat’s Got Your Boat
Unlike women and redheads, cats were considered good luck on ships. They served a practical purpose by controlling rat infestations, becoming valued for their rat-killing abilities.
Cat behavior was also interpreted as omens. A cat approaching a sailor brought good luck, while turning its back signaled bad luck. Feeding cats well was a way to improve one’s chances. Some believed cats controlled the weather, with sneezing meaning rain and frisky behavior indicating a windy day. Vets suggest cats’ heightened senses may allow them to detect weather changes better than humans.[9]
Don’t Dare Whistle!
Whistling on board a ship was thought to tempt fate, alerting the ocean gods to create storms. Some even believed it summoned Satan. Work was to be done in silence or with work songs.
There might be a practical reason for this superstition. Captains used whistling as a means of quick communication to rouse sleepy sailors or issue urgent commands. Crewmen whistling could interfere with these life-saving orders.[10]
These nautical myths and superstitions reflect the fears and uncertainties of life at sea. Whether rooted in science, religion, or practical needs, they provided sailors with a sense of control and camaraderie in a dangerous world.
What are your thoughts on these nautical superstitions? Leave your comment below!
