A rabbit's foot may bring luck on dry land, but never mention the R-word once you're out at sea. It may be because the Devil might disguise himself as a rabbit. Also, many Westcountry seamen won't say church, pig, fox or cat.Oct 12, 2017
While in many cultures, a black cat is considered unlucky, British and Irish sailors considered adopting a black "ship's cat" because it would bring good luck.
Feet. Flat-footed people were unlucky on board a ship and were also avoided by sailors before they boarded. 11. Women. Women were bad luck on board because they distracted the crew, which would anger the sea, causing treacherous conditions as revenge.
Words you should NEVER say while out at sea include: … Pig — Many sailors won't transport pigs on their boats or even allow the word to be spoken. Pigs are considered to be bad luck because they can't swim.
For sailors in full uniform, it is considered good luck to touch one's collar while on the water. Boating lore tells us that saints can be a great source of help during dangerous situations on the water.
According to the Easter legend, a rabbit is a good luck charm as it brings life on earth. It is believed to lay, decorate and hide Easter eggs are a symbol of new life. An old English superstition considers saying 'Rabbit' thrice in a row on the first day of the month to have good luck throughout the 30-days.
Bananas were a source of bad luck for ships carrying other types of fruits as well. Bananas give off ethylene gas, which can cause other fruits to ripen and, thus, spoil more quickly than they would otherwise. This unintended result might be a source of concern for ships looking to turn a profit on fresh fruits.
Suitcases onboard is a fishing boat no-no as well. … The origins of the suitcase superstition are murky, and the superstition has variations. For example, some sailors are superstitious of all luggage; some only ban black suitcases and bags. But everyone seems to agree that a suitcase is a harbinger of death or illness.