by CD Gozzi

Created on: October 06, 2009

Lovers of the open ocean, of the wind in their sails, of salt spray on their faces have always been a superstitious lot. Some of the beliefs are well founded while others border on ridiculous. Here are some of the more interesting superstitions surrounding sailing.

A Woman on Board is Bad Luck

Having a woman on board was purported to anger the seas and be the forecast of bad luck for all aboard. Women were thought to be weak of body and mind and would serve only to distract the men on board. Sailors could not afford to have their attention diverted from their duties as it could lead to the demise of the ship.

Having the image of a woman however resulted in the opposite effect. Many a ship had a bare breasted woman carved into her bow to shame rough seas into calm. They also believed as long as the figurehead remained intact, the ship would not sink.

Sailing on Friday

Sailors avoid setting sail on Fridays. The theories behind this are two; Norse legends stated this was the gathering day for witches while others believe it was the day the Christ was crucified. This day was feared to be unlucky for any business venture but especially for those sailing the seas.

Other bad days to set sail also had roots in the Bible. The first Monday in April, was the day Cain slew Able. The second Monday in August was the day God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. December 31st was the day Judas Iscariot hanged himself. All to be avoided when heading out to sea.

Bananas on a Boat are Bad Luck

This one is not so far fetched. Historically the crates bananas were packed in also held a variety of creatures snakes, spiders, rodents and other flying insects. These creatures would reproduce while on board and infiltrate all the nooks and crannies they could squeeze themselves into. Sailors often fell victim to deadly bites heralding the bad luck of carrying bananas on board.

Another problem with bananas is they would ripen while on board emitting the gas, ethylene. This gas would displace the air in the cargo hold often suffocating sailors venturing below deck.

The Color Black

While a black cat on board is said to be lucky (probably to kill the vermin brought on board by the bananas), black travel bags are bad luck. Sailors look at the black bags as representing the color of death and the depths of the sea. Both are places a sailor chooses to avoid.

Priests too are unlucky on board a ship. Since they usher the dead into the next world, their presence (along with

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