25 Sailing Superstitions Around the World
Just in case the gods are watching...
For centuries, sailors have turned to rituals and superstitions to navigate the unknown and unpredictable nature of the sea. These beliefs, spanning cultures and regions, reflect deep respect for the ocean and humanity’s attempts to find meaning and protection in its vastness.
Just in case the gods are watching, these age-old maritime superstitions might be worth keeping close. After all, who wouldn’t welcome a bit more good fortune.
Here are 25 sailing superstitions, each with interesting histories and cultural significance.
1. Whistling Onboard
In Western Europe and North America, whistling onboard a ship is believed to summon storms. Sailors thought the sound mimicked the wind, angering sea gods or spirits that controlled the weather. This superstition may have practical roots, as the eerie sound of whistling often accompanies strong winds, making it a harbinger of bad weather. For sailors, avoiding this simple act felt like one way to keep the seas calm and the gods content.
2. Stepping on Deck with Your Left Foot First
Mediterranean and European traditions caution against stepping aboard a ship with your left foot first. This belief harks back to Roman times, when the left side (sinistra) was considered unlucky and even sinister. Symbolically, stepping aboard with the right foot was seen as a way to start a journey on a positive note. Even today, some sailors follow this custom out of habit or respect for tradition.
3. Cutting Hair or Nails at Sea
Among Norse and European sailors, cutting hair or nails onboard was thought to anger sea gods. These personal trimmings symbolized vitality and were often used in offerings to deities. In Norse mythology, this superstition ties to Náglefar, a mythical ship built from the nails of the dead. While it may sound macabre, the practice reflects the reverence with which ancient sailors approached the sea and their gods.
4. Starting a Voyage on a Friday
In Western cultures, Friday has long been considered an unlucky day to set sail. This belief is tied to Christian tradition, as Friday is the day of Jesus’ crucifixion. Over time, tales like the ill-fated HMS Friday—a ship supposedly launched, crewed, and lost on a Friday—reinforced the superstition. Many sailors still prefer to avoid departing on Fridays, keeping this centuries-old fear alive.
5. Saying "Goodbye" When Departing
Sailors avoid saying "goodbye" when departing, fearing it invites a permanent farewell. This superstition likely stems from the power of words in shaping outcomes, a belief found across many cultures. Instead, phrases like "see you soon" or "safe journey" are favored, offering a sense of optimism and hope for a safe return.
6. Killing a Seabird
Seabirds like albatrosses and gulls are sacred in maritime lore, believed to carry the souls of dead sailors. Killing one is said to bring disaster, a superstition immortalized in Coleridge’s The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. Beyond superstition, seabirds also served practical purposes, guiding sailors to land or fish, further solidifying their importance.
7. Throwing Stones Overboard
In Pacific Island cultures, throwing stones into the sea is thought to disturb its balance and anger the spirits that reside within. The ocean is seen as a living entity, and respecting its harmony is essential. This belief underscores the deep spiritual connection Pacific Island communities have with the sea.
8. Walking Under a Ladder on Deck
The superstition against walking under ladders has both practical and symbolic origins. On a ship, it could mean dislodging tools or rigging, endangering the crew. Symbolically, the triangular shape of a ladder echoes the Christian holy trinity, and walking through it was seen as disrupting sacred unity.
9. Bringing an Umbrella Onboard
Opening an umbrella onboard is believed to invite storms. This superstition arises from the symbolic act of preparing for bad weather, which was seen as tempting fate. Practically, umbrellas were also unnecessary and cumbersome in the tight quarters of a ship, reinforcing the custom.
10. Renaming a Ship Without a Ceremony
Renaming a ship is considered bad luck unless accompanied by a proper ceremony. This belief traces back to Greek mythology, where ships were christened to honor Poseidon. Changing a name without making offerings to the gods was thought to offend them. Today, many sailors still perform renaming rituals, complete with blessings and symbolic gestures, to ensure safe voyages.
11. Avoiding the Word "Drowned"
The word "drowned" is avoided at sea, as it is believed to tempt the very fate it describes. Instead, euphemisms like "lost at sea" are used to show respect for the ocean and avoid invoking disaster. This practice reflects a deep cultural belief in the power of words to shape reality.
12. Never Turning Back After Departure
Once a ship leaves port, turning back is considered bad luck. This superstition likely arose from the psychological impact on the crew, as returning could signal hesitation or foreboding. Even today, sailors prefer to press onward unless absolutely necessary.
13. Laughing at Superstitions
Mocking maritime superstitions is seen as tempting fate. Even skeptical sailors often follow rituals out of respect for tradition and the unpredictable nature of the sea. These customs create a sense of unity and shared belief among crew members, bolstering morale.
14. Rats Leaving a Ship
The sight of rats abandoning a vessel is considered a dire omen, signaling that the ship is doomed. Historically, rats fleeing may have indicated structural damage or food shortages, making this superstition a practical warning disguised as folklore.
15. Spiders Onboard
Unlike on land, spiders are considered good luck at sea. They were thought to bring protection and financial fortune, especially in Nordic traditions. Sailors welcomed spiders onboard as symbols of resilience and resourcefulness.
16. Cats Onboard
Cats were prized on ships, especially black ones, for their ability to keep rats at bay and their association with good fortune. In some cultures, a ship’s cat was seen as a spiritual guardian, protecting the crew from unseen dangers.
