Sailors have braved the unpredictable and enigmatic ocean for fishing, trading, and exploration since time immemorial. Because of this uncertain, sometimes, dangerous predicament, they are in, they rely on their faith in superstitions and luck to keep them safe in their journey to guide them home successfully. It’s human nature that when people are faced with uncertainties, they tend to hold on to a belief or an idea to give them a sense of control over their situation and that’s why a lot of nautical superstitions were made and observed by sailors. Although a lot of these myths have been busted nowadays and are no longer practised (fortunately!), some sailors tend to follow some of these superstitions just to be on the “safe side”.

Here are just some of the weird myths and superstitions that sailors used to believe and follow wholeheartedly:

No Whistling While You Work

There was a time back then when whistling onboard a boat was not allowed as sailors believed it would bring bad weather. The whistling was believed to be an act of defiance against the wind gods and challenge them causing the winds to get stronger and bring a storm. Whistling was only allowed when sailors were stuck on windless waters to call on to the wind hoping for a breeze to blow them wherever they are heading.

Leave Umbrellas on Land

Sailors believed the umbrellas bring bad weather too since these things are only used during bad weather. Their logic was that it tempts the weather gods to bring them bad weather during their voyage. To combat their anxieties from bad weather, they nail a horseshoe to the boat’s mast to protect them against storms.

Forget Bananas

For sailors, bananas are signs of bad luck. These curved evil yellow things were thought to bring a bad omen for both sailing ships and fishing boats because boats transporting bananas had to sail fast to prevent them from spoiling. For fishermen, they believed that since they have to travel fast, they cannot catch fish properly on their fishing boats. Furthermore, bananas attract vermin onboard causing diseases to the sailors. Quite surprisingly, this is one of the nautical superstitions from the past that sailors and mariners still follow today.

Women Are Banned to Board the Boat

Many would argue that this superstition is sexist and derogatory. Indeed, this superstition has been abandoned in today’s times since there are many women employed in nautical jobs. However, back then, sailors believed that women were considered bad luck because they believed women cause distractions to sailors and can even cause jealousy among the crew members. Another belief that women can cause misfortunes on a voyage is that the ship, which is referred to as a “she”, was thought of as the sailor’s mother and she would be the one protecting the sailors from the wrath of the sea and having women onboard might make the mother jealous.

Confusingly, and quite ironically, sailors believed topless women were thought to calm the rough seas and lots of old boats have topless women on their mastheads.

Redheads are Not Allowed On the Boat Too

A lot of cultures see people with red hair to be unlucky or associated with evil. Unfortunately for them, they weren’t allowed to board boats either because of this reason as well. Justice for the redheads indeed.

Changing a Boat’s Name is a Reckless Thing To Do

Renaming a boat’s name is a no-can-do unless a sailor is foolish enough to let bad luck follow him wherever he goes. However, if a sailor is adamant about wanting to change the boat’s name, there is a ritual ceremony he has to do before he can proceed with the name change.

Cats Bring Good Luck

Since ancient times, cats have always been part of the sailor’s crew. Their role (aside from giving companionship along with cuddles and snuggles) was to catch and kill rodents to stop them from destroying their food, gnawing on wood, ropes, and wires, and spreading deadly diseases.

Sailors also believed that cats have magical powers and they could tell the weather and protect the boat from storms. With their regal furry presence and enigmatic personality, it’s no wonder cats are thought to be magical creatures. They are awesome that way.

Step Aboard with Your Right Foot First

Some mariners still do this as part of their ritual when boarding the ship before they leave for their voyage. It was widely believed that stepping onto a sheep with your left foot was unlucky so sailors always step on their right foot first.

Thankfully, we live in an age where voyaging in the oceans is a much safer experience for sailors. Nowadays, there are a lot of marine accessories made with the latest technology are now available in ships and boats to protect mariners from disasters and aid them in emergencies. Now, they don’t have to rely on their superstitious beliefs to guide their journey.