Why sailors are so superstitious or 13 signs of a happy voyage
Water is an alien environment for humans, so going to sea on ships has always been considered a risky business. Perhaps it is this precarious existence on the edge that has given sailors a special attitude to life and death.
SSPDaily writes: "Sailors are a very sensitive people to omens and like to come up with rituals that protect them from misfortune. We present to your attention 13 of the most famous of them, failure to observe which during the voyage can make your journey extremely difficult."
What's in your name?
Sailors and fishermen often buy used boats but do not change their names. It is believed that if a boat has a name, it has a life, and renaming it will bring bad luck to both you and the vessel.
Why break champagne overboard?
You will be in trouble if you do not break a bottle of champagne on the bow of the boat. This is necessary before launching the vessel for the first time or if you are a new owner of a used boat.
Oh, and be sure to make sure that the bottle really broke, otherwise, disaster will strike.
Step on deck with your right foot
Welcome aboard, but only if you step on deck with your right foot first. According to this sign, the left foot means bad luck in the upcoming trip.
Never go sailing on these days
Since Jesus Christ was executed on Friday, it is considered bad luck to set sail on this day.
Thursday is also not a good day to sail, because it is the day of Thor, the god of storms.
Until we meet again
Ancient sailors believed that the word "goodbye" doomed a voyage to failure. Therefore, even waving from the shore is a bad omen. When saying goodbye to a sailor, just say "see you soon".
No bananas on board
Surprisingly, bananas on ships are considered bad luck. This common superstition appeared in the early 18th century, when cargo ships carrying bananas often sank and disappeared without a trace.
Eggshells are evil
Legend has it that witches used eggshells thrown into the sea as boats to reach ships and climb aboard. So, if you don't want a witch to get on board, break the eggshell into small pieces before throwing them into the sea.
Redheads are not allowed to enter
These superstitions are based on the fact that redheads are very hot-tempered people, and they are unlucky because of this. Also, anything close to red is associated with fire, temptation, and the devil.
So, if you see a red-haired girl before you set sail, be sure to talk to her, otherwise you shouldn't go out to sea.
Do not whistle at sea
According to a belief, whistling stirs up the wind and, consequently, the sea. And that's because you fold your lips in a special way and blow.
Odd is good
Fishermen are advised to set nets and cages only in odd numbers because even numbers mean bad luck.
Counting the catch on board is bad
Fishermen believe that if they count their catch for the day while they are still on board, they will not catch as much the next time they go to work.
The right thing to do is to wait until they return to the docks and start counting there.
Rats on board are good
If you see a rat or any rodent jumping off your boat into the water, you're in trouble. It is believed that rats are keenly aware of the approaching trouble, so if the rodents leave the vessel, you will soon drown.
Red sky
Red sky at night is a joy for sailors, and red sky in the morning is a warning. This proverb is related to the peculiarities of the weather.
When the sky is red at sunset, a high-pressure area is approaching from the west, and if it is in the morning, it means that rain or stormy weather is coming.
