ANCHORED IN SUPERSTITION

Ahoy, Matey! Learn About These Ten Quirky Ancient Sailors Superstitions!

Image: Clément Falize

Ahoy, landlubbers! Sailors of yore were a superstitious bunch, believing in omens and all sorts of rituals to keep them safe on the treacherous seas. But who can blame them? It was a dangerous profession to be a sailor in their times.

From bananas to anchor tattoos, here are 10 eerie maritime superstitions that were once part of the unwritten laws of the sea.

Image: Giorgio Trovato

"Why forbid a good source of fiber and vitamins during a long journey at sea?" you might rightly wonder. While at first glance the taboo doesn’t seem to make much sense, it has been argued that the main reasons were the fruit’s tendency to rot quickly and bring with it all sorts of bugs and critters, particularly the lethal Brazilian wandering spider. Eventually, the real reason got buried beneath the superstition, and the fruit became synonymous with calamity.

Image: Vidar Nordli-Mathisen

Whistling was forbidden on board as it was believed to summon fierce winds. The superstition likely stemmed from the sound mimicking the howling of a gale, striking fear into sailors' hearts. So, should you ever find yourself at sea, resist the temptation to whistle - lest you be blamed for inviting misfortune onboard!

Image: Terry Vlisidis

Spilling wine on the deck was seen as a good omen, believed to appease the sea gods and ensure a safe voyage. Similarly, when a ship is launched for the very first time, a bottle of champagne is smashed on the bow to bring her good fortune. Nevertheless, unless you are the captain, refrain from pouring wine on the deck without asking first - or you might end up scrubbing it!

Image: udit saptarshi

Tossing a coin overboard before setting sail was thought to appease the gods and guarantee a prosperous journey. This tradition persisted across cultures, from ancient Greece to Viking Scandinavia. On the contrary, dropping a stone from a departing vessel was considered a bad omen, as it seemingly had the opposite effect, ensuring the ship would never return.

Image: Chris Barbalis

"Red sky at night, sailors' delight. Red sky at morning, sailors take warning."

This age-old adage served as an ancient way of predicting the weather, with a red sky at night signaling fair weather on the horizon, and a red dawn announcing stormy or treacherous weather. Sailors trusted this rhyme to heart, and according to modern meteorologists, there is an inkling of truth in it. A red sky often means that there is a lot of water vapor in the atmosphere, and since in mid-latitude regions storms tend to move from west to east, the rhyme was an easy mnemotechnic device to broadly estimate weather patterns.

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Although Fridays actually seem like one of the best days of the week to go sailing, this is surprisingly an enduring nautical superstition. Old sailors believed that Fridays were unlucky for embarking on a seafaring journey (especially on the 13th). This superstition likely originated from the Christian belief that Jesus was crucified on a Friday, instilling fear in sailors.

Image: benjamin lehman

Sailors adorned themselves with tattoos not only for personal expression but also for protection at sea. Designs like anchors and nautical stars were believed to ward off evil spirits and ensure a safe return home. These two designs actually served very specific purposes, as an anchor was said to ensure a sailor would not get lost at sea should he fall overboard, and a nautical star allegedly helped sailors find their way home.

Image: Fer Nando

The sight of an albatross trailing a ship was seen as a symbol of good fortune. Believed to be the souls of dead sailors, the birds were revered among seafaring adventurers, and killing one was said to bring great misfortune upon a ship. This superstition was likely popularized by Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner," which warned sailors against harming these majestic birds.

Image: Kalen Emsley

Historically, women were considered bad luck on ships, believed to anger the sea gods and stir up tempests. During the Age of Sail, women who wanted to heed the call of the sea were forced to disguise themselves as men, but in spite of the difficulties some even became feared pirates, like Mary Read and Anne Bonny, who sailed under the command of the infamous Captain Jack Rackham. This misogynistic superstition persisted for centuries, despite the invaluable contributions of female sailors to the art of sailing.

Image: Kevin Keith

To this day, when passing the equator, sailors often engage in all sorts of rituals and celebrations in the name of King Neptune. This quirky tradition actually goes back almost 400 years, beginning in the British Navy, and becoming popular even in civilian or scientific crews. The ancient ritual is said to ensure safe passage into the Southern Hemisphere, and even Charles Darwin witnessed it during his voyages!

The 12 longest-living animals on Earth (and how they cheat time)

Nature doesn’t just create beauty, it crafts survival miracles. While most animals have short lives, a rare few have mastered the art of staying alive for centuries, even millennia. These aren’t just long-lived creatures; they’re nature’s ultimate time travelers. From the frozen depths of the oceans to the darkest corners underground, they’ve developed bizarre, brilliant strategies to cheat death. Get ready to meet 12 animals whose lifespans will absolutely blow your mind.

Record age: up to 15,000 years

This unassuming sea sponge thrives in the freezing waters of Antarctica, where temperatures hover around 28.6 °F—so cold that biological processes hit the brakes. In such icy conditions, metabolism slows to a crawl, allowing these sponges to live for thousands of years.

Some have reached impressive sizes of over 3 feet tall and have been around since mammoths were still thundering across the tundra. They don’t move, they don’t stress, and they barely change, just quietly existing while centuries pass them by. Their secret to extreme longevity? Glacial patience, deep-sea stillness, and a lifestyle that redefines "low-maintenance".

Age: technically… infinite

This tiny jellyfish, no bigger than a fingernail—less than 0.2 inches—is like the ocean’s very own Benjamin Button. What makes it truly extraordinary is its ability to rewind its life story, flipping back to a youthful, juvenile stage whenever it wants. While it’s not completely invincible (predators and other threats are still very real), if left undisturbed, it can keep hitting the reset button on aging indefinitely, making it one of the most fascinating "time-benders" in nature.

Record age: 507 years

In 2006, a special clam was discovered buried deep in the seabeds of the North Atlantic. Scientists were able to determine that it had been there since at least 1499—that’s centuries before the United States was even a thought! This ancient marvel, nicknamed "Ming", was able to perfect a slow-and-steady approach to life. Growing at a snail’s pace and barely budging, Ming’s sedentary lifestyle turned out to be a brilliant strategy for beating the clock. Who knew doing almost nothing could be the ultimate secret to longevity?

Record age: estimated 392 years

These sharks aren’t your average ocean cruisers—they can stretch over 20 feet long and weigh up to 2,200 pounds. But what’s really mindblowing is how slowly they move, like they’re in a permanent state of deep relaxation. Living in the icy Arctic waters, these giants don’t hit adulthood until they’re about 150 years old, and some can glide through the depths for nearly 400 years. Imagine that! These ancient swimmers were already around before America declared independence... and they are still out there, silently roaming the seas!

Record age: over 211 years

This whale is a true ocean giant, stretching up to 60 feet long and weighing a staggering 200,000 pounds. But what makes it stand out isn’t just its size but its age. Some of these majestic creatures carry harpoons from the 1800s still lodged in their skin, like walking history books. Just picture living so long that you’re literally carrying outdated technology embedded in your body—talk about being a time traveler of the seas!

Record age: 200 years

Spanning the chilly Pacific coastline from California all the way up to Alaska, this spiky little ball—about 7 inches across—is full of surprises. It munches on algae and calls the deep, dark ocean its home, thriving at depths of up to 300 feet. Don’t let its size fool you: this prickly creature is a true elder of the cold seas, quietly outliving many ocean neighbors while keeping a low profile. A tough, slow-living veteran wrapped in spikes!

Record age: 226 years

Meet Hanako, a legendary Japanese koi who swam through life for an astonishing 226 years. Scientists discovered how old she was by studying the rings on her scales, much like counting the growth rings of a tree. These colorful, ornamental fish aren’t just symbols of good fortune; they’re also secret long-lifers with the potential to celebrate over two centuries of birthdays, as long as they get the right care and a peaceful pond to call home.

Record age: 190 years

Jonathan is a male tortoise living on the remote island of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean. He was born back in 1832, and he’s still happily chomping lettuce and soaking up the sun today. Weighing in at more than 400 pounds and measuring around 3 feet long, Jonathan holds the title of the oldest known living land animal on the planet. If he could share tales, they’d span nearly two centuries of history. Imagine that!

Record age: 152 years

This ancient-looking fish, with its whisker-like barbels, looking like a tiny underwater submarine, prowls the lakes of North America. It can reach an impressive length of up to 7 feet and weigh around 200 pounds. These slow-living creatures don’t rush into adulthood—they start breeding only around age 20—and then take their time cruising through life at a leisurely pace. Believe it or not, one legendary catch in Wisconsin was estimated to be over 150 years old!

Record age: over 90 years

This chunky, night-loving parrot from New Zealand is a true oddball—it can’t fly, snores like a grumpy grandpa, and smells like fresh flowers. Despite its quirks, this bird boasts an impressively long lifespan. Sadly, it teeters on the edge of extinction. The oldest known kakapo, affectionately named Richard Henry, lived 90 years, earning him the title of the charmingly eccentric elder statesman of the avian world.

Record age: 37 years

This tiny, kooky rodent—barely 3 inches long and just over an ounce in weight—could’ve been cast straight from a sci-fi apocalypse flick. Dwelling in vast underground colonies across Africa, it’s practically invincible to cancer, pain, and the usual effects of aging. Scientists are fascinated by this little marvel, even if it’s not winning beauty contests anytime soon. Its superpowers make it a star in longevity research!

Record age: estimated 100+ years

Lobsters have a totally different rulebook than us when it comes to aging. They don’t really grow old; they just keep getting bigger and bigger. Some giant lobsters weigh over 40 pounds and stretch beyond 3 feet long. Their biggest threats? Not old age, but predators or the risky process of shedding their shells. In theory, they could live forever if left alone—but let’s be honest, not many get to enjoy a peaceful, lobster-sized retirement!