As seafarers have navigated the vast oceans for centuries, they have developed a rich tapestry of traditions and superstitions to guide their journeys and ward off misfortune. Whether you’re stepping aboard a leisurely sailboat or a grand ship, these lighthearted superstitions will surely bring a smile, if not a bit of good fortune.
Some seem a little strange today. From banning bananas to fearing flat-footed people, here are our favorite picks from the old European sailing superstitions. While most no longer apply, we’re guessing that some still linger in sailors’ minds….
1. Bananas on Board – A Slippery Mistake?
Many sailors believe that bananas bring bad luck. This stems from the days when fruit-heavy trade ships experienced inexplicable mishaps. Swift banana ripening also coincided with the spoiling of other cargo, earning them a place on the list of nautical no-nos. Another commonly accepted theory is that tarantulas sometimes hide in the banana bunches and make their way into the ship’s bunks!
2. Whistling Up Trouble – Don’t Pucker Up And Blow
Whistling is said to challenge the wind, tempting storms and tempests to arise. So, while musical appreciation is welcome, aspiring maritime musicians are advised to save their symphonies for shore. This was such a popular belief that “Whistling up a storm” has worked its way into modern-day vernacular.
I enforce this one on our boat, not because of bad weather, but because no one wants to hear that off-key weird whistle half-song you have going.
3. The Albatross – A Winged Watcher
The sight of an albatross is traditionally viewed as a positive omen. Revered as the souls of lost sailors, harming these birds invites misfortune. Their presence often assures sailors they are not alone on the boundless ocean.
This superstition is referenced in Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s 1798 poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. In the poem, the narrator kills an albatross, which leads to disaster for the ship and its crew. The other sailors force him to wear the dead albatross around his neck as penance.
4. A Woman on Board – (Un)Welcoming the Fairer Sailor
Historically, women were considered bad luck on ships, possibly due to distracting sailors, which would anger the sea gods, causing rough waves and treacherous conditions as revenge.
Yet, in an intriguing twist, a bare-chested woman carved into the ship’s figurehead was believed to calm the sea by “shaming” the sea gods. Fortunately, the ban on fully clothed women on boats has faded over time. Today, women are welcomed aboard.
5. Red Skies – Sailor’s Delight or Dismay?
The saying goes, “Red sky at night, sailor’s delight. Red sky in the morning, sailor take warning.” This simple weather prediction formula has been used to anticipate weather conditions, encouraging sailors to heed the colors of the dawn.
The morning sky’s red color is caused by the sun shining through a high concentration of particles, indicating a low-pressure system. Low-pressure systems often bring storms and rain.
It is believed that the origin of the phrase comes from the Bible. In Mathew 16:2-3 Jesus answers the Pharisees’ demand for a sign from heaven.“When it is evening, you say, `It will be fair weather; for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, `It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times”.
6. Renaming a Ship – The Name Game
Changing the name of a vessel without following the proper ceremonies is said to anger the sea gods. Superstitious sailors conduct elaborate rituals to ensure Neptune approves a name swap.
Today, the Denaming and Renaming rituals are more about consuming alcoholic beverages and an excuse for a party on board your new boat. The Denaming ritual says you must remove anything from the boat with the old name, so it’s also a good way to clean out all those old storage lockers. Is it bad luck? Who knows? But why take the chance?!?!
7. No Flowers On Board – Bouquets To Die For
Flowers are often associated with funerals at sea, so keeping them off the ship is believed to avoid invoking any untimely farewells. If flowers were gifted to a sailor before setting sail, they would quickly be thrown overboard, along with any remaining petals.
Instead, save the bouquets for when you return to land.
8. Setting Sail On The Wrong Day – Excuses To Stay In Port?
Sailors have long believed that starting a voyage on certain days, like Fridays, or the first Monday in April, or the second Monday in August, or a Thursday, is a big no-no. In fact, there are so many “bad” days to depart it’s a wonder you can go boating at all.
Friday was the day Jesus was executed, and of course, Friday the 13th was doubly bad! The First Monday in April? The day Cain killed Abel. The second Monday in August? The day Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed. Thursdays? The God of Storms, Thor’s day. You don’t want to upset him!
I guess sailors looked for any excuse to stay in port another day or two. As long as the weather is good, I’ll go out on any day that ends in “Y”!
9. Salt Over The Shoulder – The LEFT One
Sailors throw salt over their left shoulder to ward off evil spirits. This practice is a maritime twist on a classic superstition, ensuring bad luck won’t cling to their journey.
It was also considered bad luck for one crew member to pass the salt pot directly to another. Presumably, one could put it down, and the other could pick it up.
Oh, and while you’re having your lunch, stirring tea with a knife or fork invites bad luck, and turning a loaf of bread upside down once it has been cut also brings bad luck.
10. Tattoos For Protection – Seems This One Is Gaining Popularity
Tattoos weren’t merely decorative for sailors of yore; they served as talismans. A tattoo of a rooster or pig, for example, was believed to keep a sailor from drowning, based on the animals’ buoyancy in shipwrecks. These were often tattooed onto sailors’ feet. It was believed these animals would prevent the sailors from drowning by showing them the way to shore.
In addition to tattoos, that whole scruffy Pirate look wasn’t just due to a lack of caring. Shaving your beard, cutting your hair, or trimming fingernails at sea was also said to bring bad luck as it would incur the wrath of Neptune, the God of the Sea, who considered these clippings an offering to Proserpine, the Goddess of the Underworld, in his domain.
11. Cats Onboard For Good Luck – Bring A Litter Box
Historically, felines were said to be good omens as they provided protection against vermin that could potentially chew through ropes, eat the ship’s limited provisions, and spread disease. They were also said to offer comfort and snuggles to lonely sailors at sea.
Sailors believed that cats could predict the weather based on their behavior:
- Hail: If a cat licked its fur against the grain
- Rain: If a cat sneezed
- Wind: If a cat was frisky
I wonder if black cats were still considered good luck.
12. Watch Your Mouth – Words Not To Say
Some words and sayings brought about bad luck on board, including “drowned”, “goodbye” and “good luck”. Things to do with the land were believed to be bad luck if mentioned, such as the church, cows, foxes, and rabbits.
It was bad luck for seafaring men’s wives to call out to them or wave goodbye once they stepped out the door to leave for a voyage.
13. Flat Footed And Red Headed Sailors – Discrimination Aboard
Flat-footed people were unlucky on board a ship and were also avoided by sailors before they boarded.
Like flat-footed people, redheads were believed to bring bad luck to a ship. If you met one before boarding, the only way to mitigate the bad luck was to speak to them before they could speak to you. If you are a redhead and you like to boat, maybe just keep quiet until people introduce themselves… just to be sure!
It’s A Wonder That We Go Out In Boats At All!
These superstitions, while quirky, are a testament to the rich maritime culture and the human desire to understand and control the unpredictable nature of the sea. Whether you abide by these beliefs or not, they offer a charming glimpse into the seafaring spirit that continues to sail through time.
Do you have a favorite nautical superstition?
Share it in the comments below! 
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