Sailor superstitions from the past and is there any truth to them?
Sailing is rich with stories, legends, and traditions. For centuries sailors followed beliefs—some pure superstition, others from practical experience. Today many still live on, whether in sailing communities or among those joining charters and courses.
The secrets of the sea – sailing’s past and legends
The ship’s name and good fortune
One of the most well-known superstitions is that a ship should never be renamed, as it brings bad luck. Sailors believed that the name of a ship was its 'soul,' and changing it would turn fate against them. Of course, nowadays renaming happens quite often, especially when a ship gets a new owner, but in practice many captains still treat this tradition with respect.
Women on board
In the past, it was believed that women brought bad luck on board. This superstition came more from the social norms of the time than from reality. Interestingly, there was a contradiction: most ships bore female names and were often referred to as 'she.' Today, of course, no such taboo exists on the contrary, more and more female captains and sailing communities prove that this superstition is truly a thing of the past.
Forbidden words and signs
Sailors were especially careful about the words they spoke on board. Certain expressions, like 'rabbit' or 'rat,' were avoided because they were believed to bring misfortune. Similarly, unusual behavior of seagulls was a cause for fear, as they were thought to carry the souls of the departed. Today, of course, we no longer believe in such things, but paying attention to the signs of nature remains fundamental in sailing. For example, the warning signs of an approaching storm are often seen in the behavior of birds before they appear in the weather forecast.
Pre-departure rituals
Many sailors believed it was bad luck to set sail on a Friday. Others would always pour a sip of rum into the sea beforehand, to ‘win the goodwill of the waters.’ While these were mostly superstitions, there is still a grain of truth in them for today’s sailors: the routines, checks, and ritual preparations before departure create the sense of security that is essential for safe sailing.
Ban on the color green
Old sailors were especially wary of the color green on board. They believed that green, being the color of the sea, brought bad luck if it appeared in a ship’s paintwork or in clothing. The superstition likely had a practical basis: green clothing and equipment blended too easily with the color of the water, which could lead to dangerous situations. Today, of course, wearing green at sea is not considered ominous. Still, visible, high-contrast clothing remains an important safety factor.
Crying and whistling on board
Another curious belief held that crying or whistling on board would attract misfortune. Sailors thought whistling could summon a storm by ‘calling the wind,’ while crying was seen as a sign of weakness and considered a bad omen on long voyages. Today, these are more like amusing stories shared during a trip, but they clearly show how sailors in the past tried to keep the mood under control on board.
Is there any truth to them?
Most sailing superstitions today are more like colorful stories, happily shared over dinner on board. Still, many of them were born out of experience: the understanding that nature is unpredictable and that sailors must be prepared for every circumstance. This sense of respect and attentiveness remains a part of sailing even today, and perhaps that is why these beliefs have endured for so long.
Would you live your own stories on board?
Superstitions add color to sailing stories, but what truly matters on the water is safety and confident knowledge. And for that, proper training or gaining experience through charters is essential.
At Sidro Nautika, this is exactly what we offer. You can earn the ICC+B international skipper license, which allows you to sail safely on both inland waters and at sea, or take the Skipper C course, which qualifies you to stand at the helm as a captain on any sea in the world. And if you’d simply like to try sailing first, you also have the option to rent a boat and create your own experiences
It’s no coincidence that hundreds have already chosen Sidro Nautika, taking with them not only their certificate but also the feeling that sailing brings: freedom, community, and respect for nature.
👉 Sign up now for our courses or try a boat rental, and see for yourself which sailing story comes to life on board!