Great post. I have seen these names or close variations over the years, except for FISH & CHICKS. I really lke that one.....
Nautical superstitions?
- Thread starter Phil Herring
- Start date
Kinda like the glass half empty or half full - I've always found it good luck to be superstitious....
dj
In the words of Mr Spock (The Doomsday Machine), “Random chance seems to have operated in our favor.” I suppose one could substitute “luck” for “random chance.” But in truth, “luck“ is where in the probability distribution of possible outcomes you sit at any point in time. So called—the right place at the right time (good luck), or the wrong place at the wrong time (bad luck). Are there non-random temporal linkages, such that one event portends another? Black cats, say, are always in the bad outcome space with respect to humans for whatever reason, so if you see one crossing ahead of you, then you’re in that same space.Kinda like the glass half empty or half full - I've always found it good luck to be superstitious....
dj
Get me outta here!
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jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 23,468
I am not sure if I am superstitious or just enjoy folklore.
I conducted a naming ceremony when I placed the new name on the transom. After all she was now my boat and I need her to carry me out and back to safe harbor.
It can get confusing as the ideas of naming date back to ancient times. Which of the ancient gods do you appease? The Graeco-Roman traditions, greek god of the sea Neptune or the roman Poseidon? Or should you consider the other representatives of cultures that fill this world.
Fortunately, I had a good glass of rum and spilled a little to both of them. And a friend from the PacificNW shared a shaman prayer to help with letting the sea creatures know this boat is not a threat.
There are so many issues that creep into the mind of a sailor out upon the water away from shore. I suspect some of what are considered superstitions and just good coping mechanisms to let you think clearly with less stress.
Now the black cat thing that I understand is real.. Poor Scotty.
I conducted a naming ceremony when I placed the new name on the transom. After all she was now my boat and I need her to carry me out and back to safe harbor.
It can get confusing as the ideas of naming date back to ancient times. Which of the ancient gods do you appease? The Graeco-Roman traditions, greek god of the sea Neptune or the roman Poseidon? Or should you consider the other representatives of cultures that fill this world.
Fortunately, I had a good glass of rum and spilled a little to both of them. And a friend from the PacificNW shared a shaman prayer to help with letting the sea creatures know this boat is not a threat.
There are so many issues that creep into the mind of a sailor out upon the water away from shore. I suspect some of what are considered superstitions and just good coping mechanisms to let you think clearly with less stress.
Now the black cat thing that I understand is real.. Poor Scotty.
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 23,468
Funny you should bring that up. Was chatting with my lawyer, when he shared the concept of luck from Deadpool 2.
Domino claims to possess the super power of Luck. Luck through minor subconscious psionic and telekinetic nudges to things around her result in good luck for her and bad luck for her enemies.
Who want to wish bad luck on somebody? Perhaps it is ok to say "Bad Random Chance". Or "May the probability distribution of possible outcomes meet you favorably where you sit at this moment in time" Nah... Good Luck is better.
Yeah, we have short-cut phrases for many otherwise long-winded expressions.
My lucky days are when a black cat crosses my path, walking beneath a ladder, break a mirror, find a penny, or on Friday the thirteenth.
You will be favoured by the quality of tools and parts that are sacrificed to Neptune.
(i would like that yellow handle phillips back though, it should never have been on the boat)
(i would like that yellow handle phillips back though, it should never have been on the boat)
Howdy!Yeah, we have short-cut phrases for many otherwise long-winded expressions.
Howdy!
Well, as evidenced by the following the post by williamtl didn't work on me.
Hello SBO brothers and sisters! I haven't posted or visited this site in many months, but, as I remembered, Will Gilmore can always be counted on for interesting posts! I enjoy the thoughts each of you has expressed.
I enjoy observing some traditional nautical superstitions:
(1) Put a "gold" coin under the mast of a sailboat that has been rebuilt/restored to any great measure. I trust that a present day gold clad dollar depicting one of the presidents or Sacagawea (sp?) will suffice. Once I also used a coin from Greece because it showed a trireme on one face.
(2) When we rename a boat we like to do a renaming ceremony. It is fun and shows respect to those in attendance, to the boat, to the water in which the boat will sail, and to the Heavenly Being(s) that we revere.
(3) I learned to swim at an early age, but I wear a life jacket at most times when on the boat. Guests aboard must don one too.
(4) I'm not sure about the "starting a voyage on a Friday" concern, but I do know that the following is a recipe for disaster! Start on a Wednesday by driving the diesel tractor backwards for 1 1/2 hours to scrape the gravel driveway. Next, on Thursday lay on your back under the boat for 3 1/2 hours to sand off the old ablative bottom paint. Finally, on Friday drive 4 hours to Seneca Lake and then push the lawnmower for an hour. The result will be undeniably bad luck......I have spent several sleepless nights, 21 painful days, a trip to the doctor, and 6 visits to the chiropractor to relieve a severely twisted back!
(5) Lest I forget......the time mentioned in #4 included my wife's birthday on May 31, our 50th wedding anniversary on June 6. I'm just now feeling well enough to appreciate the significance of missing these two milestones!
31seahorse
Well, as evidenced by the following the post by williamtl didn't work on me.
Hello SBO brothers and sisters! I haven't posted or visited this site in many months, but, as I remembered, Will Gilmore can always be counted on for interesting posts! I enjoy the thoughts each of you has expressed.
I enjoy observing some traditional nautical superstitions:
(1) Put a "gold" coin under the mast of a sailboat that has been rebuilt/restored to any great measure. I trust that a present day gold clad dollar depicting one of the presidents or Sacagawea (sp?) will suffice. Once I also used a coin from Greece because it showed a trireme on one face.
(2) When we rename a boat we like to do a renaming ceremony. It is fun and shows respect to those in attendance, to the boat, to the water in which the boat will sail, and to the Heavenly Being(s) that we revere.
(3) I learned to swim at an early age, but I wear a life jacket at most times when on the boat. Guests aboard must don one too.
(4) I'm not sure about the "starting a voyage on a Friday" concern, but I do know that the following is a recipe for disaster! Start on a Wednesday by driving the diesel tractor backwards for 1 1/2 hours to scrape the gravel driveway. Next, on Thursday lay on your back under the boat for 3 1/2 hours to sand off the old ablative bottom paint. Finally, on Friday drive 4 hours to Seneca Lake and then push the lawnmower for an hour. The result will be undeniably bad luck......I have spent several sleepless nights, 21 painful days, a trip to the doctor, and 6 visits to the chiropractor to relieve a severely twisted back!
(5) Lest I forget......the time mentioned in #4 included my wife's birthday on May 31, our 50th wedding anniversary on June 6. I'm just now feeling well enough to appreciate the significance of missing these two milestones!
31seahorse
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Red sky at night, Etc. at least goes back to the time of Jesus. From the Bible:
"But He replied to them, "When it is evening, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.' And in the morning, 'There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.' Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times? Matthew 16:2-3
"But He replied to them, "When it is evening, you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.' And in the morning, 'There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and threatening.' Do you know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but cannot discern the signs of the times? Matthew 16:2-3