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Quiz about Sailor Superstitions
Quiz about Sailor Superstitions

Sailor Superstitions Trivia Quiz


"What the sea wants, the sea will have." Many sailors were so in awe of the ocean, they never bothered to learn to swim. Can you answer these questions about maritime superstitions?

A multiple-choice quiz by Czolgolz. Estimated time: 7 mins.
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Author
Czolgolz
Time
7 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
278,408
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Difficult
Avg Score
4 / 10
Plays
6141
Awards
Top 10% Quiz
Last 3 plays: Guest 61 (3/10), Guest 172 (4/10), woodychandler (6/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. Which day of the week is considered the most unlucky to launch a voyage?

Answer: (One Word, a day of the week)
Question 2 of 10
2. Many passengers are considered unlucky. A captain should think twice before allowing any Finns, women, or redheads on board. Clergymen are also bad news. Why? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. Some types of animals were considered good luck to seafarers. Which of these animals is NOT traditionally lucky to have on or near a ship? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. On the same topic, what animal is so unlucky that sailors will not even speak its name on board? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. A sailor with no tattoos is a new sailor, indeed. But tattoos are not mere decorations, they have meaning. For instance, what is the significance of the anchor many seamen wear on their arms? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. Like sailors, actors have many superstitions. Both sailors and actors would never perform this action. What? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. What must a sailor never do when eating? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. What should be poured across the deck before each voyage? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. With which foot should you always step on and off a boat, the left or right?

Answer: (One Word, left or right)
Question 10 of 10
10. Most of the above superstitions have fallen into disuse. However, there's still one tradition practiced worldwide. What must a sailor do in order to earn the title 'shellback'? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Mar 28 2024 : Guest 61: 3/10
Mar 14 2024 : Guest 172: 4/10
Mar 13 2024 : woodychandler: 6/10
Mar 12 2024 : Guest 86: 0/10
Mar 04 2024 : Guest 73: 1/10
Feb 23 2024 : Ilona_Ritter: 3/10
Feb 20 2024 : PurpleComet: 7/10
Feb 08 2024 : Guest 73: 4/10
Feb 05 2024 : Guest 207: 3/10

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Which day of the week is considered the most unlucky to launch a voyage?

Answer: Friday

Friday has always been an ill-omened day, since that was when Christ was crucified. According to one of the legends, the Royal Navy once tried to put an end to this superstition.
2. Many passengers are considered unlucky. A captain should think twice before allowing any Finns, women, or redheads on board. Clergymen are also bad news. Why?

Answer: Clergymen are all descendants of Jonah, the original bad luck passenger.

Jonah was a biblical prophet who tried to flee from his holy mission by sailing to Iberia. A storm overtook the vessel, and the sailors were forced to throw Jonah overboard in order to save the ship. 'Jonah' now comes to mean any bad luck passenger or crewman. Anyone suspected of being a Jonah was put ashore at the first port of call (if they were lucky).
3. Some types of animals were considered good luck to seafarers. Which of these animals is NOT traditionally lucky to have on or near a ship?

Answer: Penguins

Dolphins swimming near a ship is considered a favorable sign. Under no circumstance should they be harmed. Contrary to land-lubber superstitions, a cat on board, especially a black one, brings luck. All ships are plagued with rats, but they will desert a doomed vessel, so it's bad luck when the little vermin are gone.
4. On the same topic, what animal is so unlucky that sailors will not even speak its name on board?

Answer: Pigs

According to legend, pigs can see the wind. Speaking of this animal can cause the wind to blow unfavorably. Other animal superstitions include never killing an albatross or gull (they contain the souls of dead sailors). And of course, sharks following a vessel is an ill-omen.
5. A sailor with no tattoos is a new sailor, indeed. But tattoos are not mere decorations, they have meaning. For instance, what is the significance of the anchor many seamen wear on their arms?

Answer: It prevents them from drifting away if they should fall overboard.

In the days of sailing ships, falling overboard could mean death, even if your shipmates saw you.

Tattooing HOLD FAST on one's knuckles prevented a sailor from falling from aloft.

In the days when whipping was still practiced in the navy, sailors would have large tattoos of Jesus or the Virgin Mary inked across their backs. They hoped this would prevent the punisher from lashing too hard.
6. Like sailors, actors have many superstitions. Both sailors and actors would never perform this action. What?

Answer: Whistling

Whistling on deck, it is believed, can raise unfavorable winds. If a sailor should whistle by mistake, he must spit into the prevailing wind.
7. What must a sailor never do when eating?

Answer: Allow the crystal to ring

Unintentional bells on board is an omen of death. If the crystal rings and no one stops it, then a sailor will drown somewhere in the world. I'm assuming this originated in the officers' mess, since common swabbies don't usually drink out of crystal glasses.
8. What should be poured across the deck before each voyage?

Answer: Wine

Back in pagan days, it was wise to appease the water spirits with an offering of wine. It is through this practice that we get the tradition of breaking a bottle of champagne on the hull of newly christened ships.
9. With which foot should you always step on and off a boat, the left or right?

Answer: Right

In nearly every superstitious tradition, left-handed actions are bad news. This may come from biblical verses that refer to Jesus sitting at the right hand of God.
10. Most of the above superstitions have fallen into disuse. However, there's still one tradition practiced worldwide. What must a sailor do in order to earn the title 'shellback'?

Answer: Cross the equator on a ship

Hazing the sailors who are crossing the equator for the first time is a grand old naval tradition. It is certainly not an excuse for everyone to get drunk. Thanks for playing. Remember, 'Red sky at night, sailor's delight, red sky at morning, sailors take warning'.
Source: Author Czolgolz

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor LeoDaVinci before going online.
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