Why Sailors Are So Superstitious: A Cultural Insight

My grandfather was a seafarer from the age of 14 until his retirement from the Merchant Navy at 60. His brother Joe was a fisherman on trawlers common in the North East of England. It's in our family to inherit all sorts of superstitions from them.

One of the superstitions relates to my birth. When I was born, I had a “caul” over my face. This intact part of the amniotic sac was given to a sailor and wrapped in a white handkerchief to protect him from drowning at sea. This tradition shows how superstitious sailors can be, as they believed this small piece of tissue could bring good luck.

Even when we could get away with swearing, “pig” was the absolute no-no. My grandfather stated that pigs cannot swim, and using the word was seen as a condemnation to a sailor’s fate, as it would result in drowning.

No one dared to eat mackerel. According to maritime lore, they fed exclusively on the bodies of dead sailors and fishermen, making the fish a taboo.

When we visited my grandfather or his brother on their boats, no one was allowed to whistle for fear of bringing on storms.

The Psychology Behind Sailor Superstition

Superstitions among sailors serve various psychological purposes. For one, they are an attempt to improve survival odds against unknown risks. In a way, it is like religion – many people engage in it just in case, believing there might be an afterlife where someone on a fluffy cloud is helping out if you pray enough, etc.

Now, science has shown that these superstitions do not work, and sailors are better off with modern navigation tools like GPS and radio. However, this does not diminish the cultural importance of these beliefs.

Danger and Lack of Control Over the Environment

Sailors often find themselves in situations where their lives can be sharply determined by uncontrollable external factors such as the weather. This lack of control can lead to increased superstition. Similarly, soldiers, airmen, miners, and actors are also prone to superstitious behavior due to the inherent dangers and unpredictability of their professions.

Superstition as a Coping Mechanism

People tend to become superstitious when they are in a situation where they have no control. Out at sea, they are at the mercy of waves and storms. This uncontrollability of their environment can make sailors gravitate towards superstition.

Praying to figures like St. Christopher can make sailors, or anyone in a precarious situation, feel safer and more secure.

These superstitions, while rooted in the fear of the unknown, also serve as a cultural tradition and a method of coping with the elevated risks of life at sea. For sailors, these rituals are more than just beliefs; they are a source of comfort in an uncertain and dangerous profession.

Conclusion

Superstitions among sailors are a fascinating aspect of maritime culture. They offer insights into the psychological and cultural needs of those on the sea. While modern technology has made these superstitions less necessary, they remain an essential part of a seafarer's identity and a testament to the enduring power of cultural traditions.
Understanding these superstitions helps us appreciate the profound impact that life on the sea has had on generations of sailors.