Key Takeaways
There are so many superstitions related to water , boat and ships in general . One of the most well - get laid ones come to to the naming of a watercraft . But whyis it bad luck to rename a boat ?
Superstitions abound in all culture , but you probably wo n’t run into a more superstitious group of people than sailors . Why is this ? Most psychologists believe that superstitions develop from feeling a lack of control condition . Writer and psychology professor Stuart Vyse states that , " When something of import is at post yet the effect is unsettled , then superstitious notion are potential to be used to fill the gap and make us palpate more confident " [ informant : Lallanilla ] .
Because so much about taking a boat or ship out on the piss relies on thing beyond our ascendency — theweather , the res publica of theocean , the mechanics of the watercraft — sailors have a bunch to worry about . It build mother wit , then , that so many superstitions revolve around glide , boating and fishing .
Common Superstitious Beliefs
Just a few instance of these long - held beliefs include :
Why Is Renaming a Boat Bad Luck?
Why is it bad fortune to rename a gravy holder ? Vessels change hands all the time , and what was a perfect name for one possessor ca n’t possibly be the perfect name for you . Many boaters and sailors , though , insist rename a boat brings bad fortune . If you must convert it , you should execute a Christening ceremony or rename observance first to ensure sound destiny .
This superstition run low back a farseeing time , and is even cite in the classic novel " Treasure Island , " in which Long John Silver articulate , " What a ship was christened , so let her remain . " narration abound of captains renaming their ships in a here and now of hubris , only to be met with a tragic watery remnant . Legend says that when every ship is baptize , its name goes into a " Ledger of the Deep " maintain by Neptune ( or Poseidon ) himself . rename a ship or gravy holder means you ’re endeavor to luxate something past the gods and you will be punished for your deviousness .
Another , more practical , explanation is that back in the day when most boats were used to transport cargo , each vessel had its own reputation , good or bad , in port of call all over the world . A sudden name change would render a boat , and therefore its reputation , unrecognizable and probably cause many problems for the master and gang [ source : Hurricane Boats ] .
Whether or not you ’re superstitious , if you decide to alter the name of your boat , fellow crewman consider it respectable form to do a perform a purging observance and re - naming ritual . A gravy boat re - naming ceremony cause the ocean gods cognizant that you ’re re - key your gravy boat , establish them you have no underhanded motives .
Ceremonies For Renaming a Boat
There are many different ceremonies for re - naming your boat — you’re able to await them up online or postulate your local boat community which they prefer . Typically , though , you must first remove all trace of the old name . This intend removing the name from the hull , burning the previous logarithm books and paperwork , and requesting that the gods to forget the old name . Then , you re - christen the boat with alcohol , normally sound champagne . First offer half to the water , from due east to west , and then some to the gravy holder , and some then some for you and your first teammate to toast the Modern vas . Another , less desirable , choice is to have a virgin urinate over the bow [ origin : Eyers ] .
In the new assignment observance , sailor are to come up to Poseidon , god of the sea , who purportedly hold the name of every vessel ever launched recorded in the Ledger of the Deep . In this ceremony , ask for safe passage , fair winds and tranquil sea for your succeeding voyages . One common playscript goes like this [ rootage : United States Vessel ] :
You are also to accost the mighty powers of the four wind gods - the slap-up Boreas , Zephyrus , Eurus , and Notus - pouring bubbly out as you face each of them : north malarkey , western United States idle words , due east steer , and then south wind .
There ’s a pile that goes into renaming a boat if you want to ensure good fortune and avoid ending up at the bottom of the ocean , consort to the superstition and lore of the boating world . Better to be secure than dingy , in our opinion .
