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Quiz about Superstitions of the Sea
Quiz about Superstitions of the Sea

Superstitions of the Sea Trivia Quiz


Let's look at some common superstitions believed by many sailors around the world.

A multiple-choice quiz by wjames. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
wjames
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
366,190
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
7 / 10
Plays
776
Awards
Top 35% Quiz
- -
Question 1 of 10
1. Which Biblical name denotes an unlucky person aboard a ship? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. An urban legend tells how the British Navy attempted to dispel a longstanding sailor's superstition against a certain day. The story tells of a ship with the name of that day, launched on that day, commanded by a captain with that day as a surname. Which day is this? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. Which sea bird do sailors consider unlucky to kill or even harass? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. It is considered good luck to touch which part of a naval sailor's uniform? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. What two barnyard animals, which superstition says cannot swim, are traditional tattoos to bring sailors good luck? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. Which terrestrial color do sailors think is unlucky to have on a ship? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. When sailors take off the cover of a hatch, superstitious belief might make them be careful to never put it upside down on deck. Why? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. Perhaps dating from Roman times, what do sailors traditionally place under the mast of their ship in case of disaster at sea? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. Which ship do sailors believe is eternally doomed to sail the oceans of the world, never making port? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. Sailors ending their career at sea believe it is bad luck for their shadow to touch land before they do. Therefore, they construct which type of container to hold their "shadow", represented by memorabilia from their voyages? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Which Biblical name denotes an unlucky person aboard a ship?

Answer: Jonah

According to the Bible, God ordered Jonah to go to Nineveh to save the wicked people there; Jonah tried to duck out by sailing in the opposite direction to Tarshish. The Lord sent a storm and Jonah was found to be the cause, whereupon his shipmates tossed him overboard. It's pretty obvious how Jonah's name became attached to all those who bring bad luck, at sea and on land.
2. An urban legend tells how the British Navy attempted to dispel a longstanding sailor's superstition against a certain day. The story tells of a ship with the name of that day, launched on that day, commanded by a captain with that day as a surname. Which day is this?

Answer: Friday

There never was an HMS Friday as the legend claims. Sailors have believed it is unlucky to begin a voyage on a Friday; some captains ordered to sail on Friday would delay until 12:01 AM on Saturday to avoid it. The crucifixion of Christ on Good Friday may be the root of this superstition.
3. Which sea bird do sailors consider unlucky to kill or even harass?

Answer: Albatross

Albatrosses will follow a ship for days, and lonely sailors see them as companions and guardians. Samuel Coleridge's "Rime of the Ancient Mariner" tells of a sailor who commits the sin of killing an albatross. After bad luck descends upon the ship, the other sailors force the offender to wear the albatross around his neck, but they continue to suffer horrible fortune.
4. It is considered good luck to touch which part of a naval sailor's uniform?

Answer: Collar

The wide collar spreading down a sailor's back is the most recognizable part of his uniform. Legend has it that this collar was meant to protect the uniform from tarred pigtails worn by old salts.
5. What two barnyard animals, which superstition says cannot swim, are traditional tattoos to bring sailors good luck?

Answer: Pig and chicken

Sailors believe that since pigs and chickens can't swim, if they fall overboard, God will have mercy and ensure those "animals" get to shore. This contrasts with the sailor's belief that saying the word "pig" on a ship is bad luck.
6. Which terrestrial color do sailors think is unlucky to have on a ship?

Answer: Green

Sailors believe that green represents land. Thus, a ship painted green or, worse yet, with plants aboard, will seek the land (run aground).
7. When sailors take off the cover of a hatch, superstitious belief might make them be careful to never put it upside down on deck. Why?

Answer: The ship will also turn upside down (capsize)

Fishermen often open their hatches at sea to store their catch. They may get very upset if the cover is placed upside down, believing that the boat will capsize to remain aligned with the hatch cover.
8. Perhaps dating from Roman times, what do sailors traditionally place under the mast of their ship in case of disaster at sea?

Answer: A coin

Even modern warships have a ceremony to place a coin under the mast or, more often, welded to the mast. This may be to ensure that if the ship is broken apart at sea, the crew can pay for their passage to the afterlife.
9. Which ship do sailors believe is eternally doomed to sail the oceans of the world, never making port?

Answer: Flying Dutchman

The first literary mention of the Flying Dutchman dates from 1795. Legend has it that the ship is manned by ghosts, who if hailed will try to send messages ashore by the ship that sees them. A type of mirage known as "looming", where the image of a ship appears suspended over the horizon, may explain the many reported sightings of the Flying Dutchman.
10. Sailors ending their career at sea believe it is bad luck for their shadow to touch land before they do. Therefore, they construct which type of container to hold their "shadow", represented by memorabilia from their voyages?

Answer: Shadow box

In olden days, sailors possessed only what they could keep in the limited space aboard ship. When they went ashore for good, they put the small trinkets from their voyages in a Shadow Box. Modern-day retiring military sailors often put their medals, ribbons and badges in ornate shadow boxes that they proudly display as reminders of their careers.
Source: Author wjames

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