From the deck of the Nautical Mile
Old Nautical Superstitions: Lore, Luck, and Life at Sea
For centuries, sailors lived by the wind, the stars, and the stories passed down from old sea dogs. In the dangerous and uncertain world of early seafaring, superstition served as both a coping mechanism and a guide. These nautical beliefs were shaped by fear, weather, and the mysterious moods of the ocean. Though many of these superstitions may seem odd today, they offer fascinating insight into maritime culture and the mindset of those who once crossed the seas in wooden ships under canvas sails.
Whistling Up a Storm
Perhaps one of the best-known seafaring superstitions is the belief that whistling on a ship invites bad weather. Sailors believed that whistling was a way of challenging the wind, and to do so was to provoke a storm. If a crew member was heard casually whistling, he was often sternly warned to stop, lest his tune summon violent gales or a full-blown tempest. Ironically, some captains would allow controlled whistling to "whistle up the wind" when the sea was eerily calm.
Women and Ships: A Paradox
It was widely believed that having a woman aboard a ship was bad luck. The reasoning was that a woman’s presence would anger the sea, a feminine force in many maritime cultures. However, paradoxically, ships were almost always referred to as "she." Many vessels were even named after women and adorned with carved female figureheads at the bow, believed to calm the waters and guide the ship safely. These figureheads often featured bare breasts, which sailors thought would shame stormy seas into stillness.
The Ban on Bananas
In the Caribbean and along Atlantic trade routes, bananas came to be viewed with deep suspicion. Ships that carried bananas were said to suffer all sorts of calamities—from food spoilage to mysterious disappearances. One explanation may lie in the fact that bananas spoil quickly and can release gases that hasten the ripening (and rotting) of other fruit, leading to wasted provisions. Another theory is that poisonous spiders often hid in banana bunches, creating hazards in the cramped holds of wooden ships.
Renaming a Ship: A Risky Business
Changing a ship’s name was considered extremely unlucky unless performed through a formal ritual. According to lore, every ship's name is entered into the "Ledger of the Deep" by Neptune, god of the sea. Altering a vessel’s name without notifying Neptune was thought to invoke his wrath. Sailors believed that to do so without the proper ceremony—often involving wine, prayers, and a ritual purging of the old name—was to court disaster.
The Albatross: A Sacred Omen
Few birds commanded as much reverence as the albatross. These large seabirds, which followed ships for days, were thought to contain the souls of drowned sailors. Harming one was believed to bring terrible misfortune, a belief immortalized in Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s 1798 poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. In the poem, the mariner kills an albatross and is cursed for his sin, forced to wear the dead bird around his neck as penance. This poetic image endures today in the phrase “an albatross around one’s neck,” meaning a burden or curse.
Red Sky at Morning
“Red sky at night, sailor’s delight; red sky at morning, sailor take warning.” This rhyme is one of the few nautical sayings rooted in real meteorological science. A red sunset often means that dry, stable air is coming from the west, suggesting good weather. Conversely, a red sunrise may signal that high-pressure air has already passed and that a storm system could be approaching from the east. Sailors took this proverb seriously, often planning their day’s voyage around what the dawn or dusk sky revealed.
Coins Under the Mast
When a ship was built, it was common to place coins under the mast before it was set. This practice had both practical and spiritual significance. Symbolically, it was meant to bring prosperity and good fortune to the ship and her crew. It also served as a kind of insurance—if the ship sank and the crew drowned, the coins were intended to pay their passage into the afterlife, ensuring they wouldn't be trapped forever in a watery grave.
The Number Thirteen
Long before hotels and office buildings began skipping the 13th floor, sailors feared the number thirteen. Ships would often avoid sailing on the 13th day of the month, especially if it fell on a Friday. The fear of “Friday the 13th” became particularly entrenched in maritime lore. In fact, there’s an old (possibly apocryphal) story about the British Navy commissioning a ship named HMS Friday, which set sail on a Friday the 13th and was never seen again.
Tattoos and Piercings
Body markings held powerful meaning among sailors. Tattoos weren’t just decorative—they were protective. Common symbols included anchors (for stability), swallows (for safe return), and nautical stars (for guidance). Piercings, especially gold earrings, were believed to improve eyesight or provide burial funds if a sailor's body washed ashore. Some even claimed the gold earring could prevent drowning, though science never confirmed this.
Cats and Good Fortune
Unlike women, cats were very welcome aboard ships. Their primary role was to control rats and mice, which could destroy food supplies and chew through ropes. But beyond their usefulness, cats were considered good luck—especially black cats. A ship’s cat was seen as a spiritual guardian, and its behavior was closely watched. If the cat refused to board, or if it jumped ship before departure, it was considered a dire omen.
Sailors faced countless dangers at sea—storms, disease, piracy, and the vast unknown. Superstitions gave them a sense of control in an uncontrollable world. While modern ships sail with radar and satellite navigation, the echoes of old nautical beliefs still linger, woven into our language and our lore. Whether whispered among old-timers or inked into the skin of a modern mariner, these superstitions remain a vivid reminder of the sea’s enduring mystery.
