by Pauline Abreu

Created on: October 01, 2009   Last Updated: October 04, 2009

Many of the superstitions regarding sea voyages and travelling date back thousands of years. These superstitions relate to whether the person will have a safe journey, or not. It is also considered bad luck to travel at particular times. Even traveling with certain people may have an effect on a trip, according to the old superstitions regarding travel.

Here are some of the superstitions regarding sea voyages:

* Having flowers on board a ship is said to be unlucky.

* Black cats are good luck, it is said they will bring sailors home safely.

* Touching a flag through the rungs of a ladder is not good for a sailor.

* The feather of wren that has been killed on New Years day will prevent a ship wreck.

* If a shark follows a ship it is a sign of death aboard the ship, sharks are said to be able to smell death.

* It is bad luck to kill a gull, as the old story is that they hold the soul of dead sailors.

* Looking back once your boat has left shore can bring bad luck.

* If a swallow is seen at sea, this is a good sign for a safe journey.

* Pouring wine on a deck is supposed to relate to a libation to the gods, therefore, bringing good luck before a journey.

Some superstitions stem from events from the past, and some are just thought up by people, and others follow suit. It takes one person to start a superstition, and many people to carry it on, kind of like a tradition that a lot of people take part in. There may also be some that have a religious connotation too, and can be from biblical times. Bad situation that occur also make people suspicious about certain numbers, dates, and days, causing them to think these are unlucky.

Quite a few airlines don't have facilities relating to the number 13, as this is assumed one of the unluckiest numbers. Continental Airlines, for example, doesn't have a row 13 on their airplanes. Not only are the airlines superstitious, but they know that some of their passengers are too. People who have superstitions often travel with lucky objects of desire to protect them, and keep them safe from harm. These lucky charms can be anything from gems, horse shoes, and four leaf clovers, to wearing a lucky shirt, or hat. Whether you are superstitious, or not depends on the type of person you are, but it is still interesting to read about others and their superstitions.

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