There are many people in the world who believe in numerous superstitions. However, particular attention should be paid to those in specific professions, such as athletes or actors. Yet, few modern individuals are aware of how deeply superstitious pirates were, despite their seemingly fearless nature.
Some superstitions are so strange that today they might be laughed at, but sea rogues devoutly believed in the power of talismans like dagger fragments or the deadly aura of bananas.
1. Inauspicious Days for Setting Sail
Not every day was considered lucky for a pirate raid.
Pirates had their own calendar of inauspicious days, often related to when it was forbidden to set sail. For instance, they would avoid starting a raid on a Thursday or Friday, and leaving land on a Sunday was deemed impossible.
There was also a religious holiday that pirates avoided at sea—Easter. A popular legend reinforced this belief, telling of the pirate Reed who set off on a raid on Easter Sunday and was never seen again, along with his ship and crew.
2. Forbidden Last Glance at Shore
Pirates had their own version of the famous superstition “Returning is bad luck.” According to this, once the ship set off on a raid, it was strictly forbidden to look back at the shore. It was believed that violating this rule would doom the entire voyage to failure.
3. The Status of Women in Piracy
It was widely believed among pirates and sailors alike that women on board were bad luck. If a woman was found on the ship, those who allowed her on board were immediately executed.
However, in some ways, women were present: pirates often named their ships after women and adorned the ship’s prow with a statue of a naked woman, believing it could calm the sea during storms.
4. The Deadly “Aura” of Bananas
Perhaps the strangest pirate superstition involved bananas. Pirates believed that carrying bananas on board brought bad luck and increased the likelihood of shipwrecks. Despite the lack of statistical evidence, the superstition was strictly observed, and bananas were avoided at all costs.
5. The Earring’s Special Purpose
The gold earring in a pirate’s ear was a well-known accessory, but it had many purposes beyond decoration. Besides marking a sailor who had passed Cape Horn, the earring was believed to enhance vision, serve as a talisman against seasickness and drowning, and pay for a pirate’s funeral. If a pirate’s body washed ashore, the earring was the finder’s payment for giving him a proper Christian burial.
6. Forbidden Word
Sometimes a fight between pirates could break out over a single forbidden word. After setting sail, it was forbidden to say “drowned,” as it was thought to bring misfortune to the entire crew. If someone did say it, the negative effect had to be counteracted by drawing blood from the offender, often by breaking their nose.
7. Fear of the Cormorant
One of the more bizarre pirate superstitions involved a fear of cormorants. If even one bird landed on the ship and flapped its wings, it was seen as a bad omen, predicting the imminent death of a crew member. A whole flock was considered a curse, foreshadowing disaster for the entire crew.
8. Unacceptable Position of Boot Soles
Pirates had superstitions related to clothing, too. It was forbidden to store boots with the soles facing up, as it was believed this would cause the ship to capsize.
9. Talismans Made from Broken Weapons
Pirates found use even for broken weapons. A fragment of a knife or dagger became a powerful amulet, believed to protect against stab wounds. Pirates carried these talismans both at sea and on land, anticipating potential brawls in taverns or on the streets.
These strange and intriguing superstitions provide a glimpse into the fascinating and mystical world of pirates, revealing a deeply held belief in the power of omens and talismans amidst their adventurous lives on the high seas.