People of difficult, but interesting and unusual fate are sailors. They are not afraid of the storm and the calm does not drive them crazy. These are daredevils, what to look for!
But even they surrounded their life on the ship with all sorts of superstitions and omens in order to certainly return home.
Champagne bottle
In ancient times, the Vikings sprinkled their new drakars with the blood of prisoners, as if bringing sacrifice to ships for a successful voyage. The peoples who converted to Christianity replaced blood with red wine - in memory of the Last Supper, at which Jesus served wine to the apostles, saying that it was his blood. A bottle of champagne is a French accent in history. After the French Revolution, religions and outlooks on life changed: many sailors even became atheists, but they did not lose faith in omens. Moving away from Christian symbolism, they replaced red wine with sparkling champagne. French sparkling wines are very expensive, so the sailors decided that the ships "would not be offended" by such a replacement.
Earring
The earring in the ear is a tradition, of course, English. But Russian sailors sailed and are sailing on different ships, under different flags, with international crews, and often adopt traditions “alien to the Russian fleet”. Globalization, what really!
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It used to be thought that a sailor could put on an earring after circumnavigating Cape Horn, where stormy weather prevails almost all year round. Such a sailor had the right to one free glass of alcohol in port taverns, and could even put his feet on the table with impunity.
Bathing
It was customary to arrange swimming for those who cross the equator for the first time. But that's not all! When the team crosses the equator it is strictly forbidden: to spit overboard, sit on the bollards, shave, stand unnecessarily with your back to the frontal windows (in the direction of the ship's movement), do not bring fishing boots on board on the shoulder (only under the arm).
Whistling Wind
Russian sailors had a proverb: "If you don't whistle, there won't be any wind." But you have to whistle wisely! For this, the captains and boatswains had "special" whistles, they were kept in prayer boxes and used only as a last resort. The wind "whistled" with melodious trills, turning in the direction from which it was expected. The number of whistles determined the strength of the wind and its duration.
Detail: For a simple thoughtless whistling on the ship, they were severely punished, it was believed that it could lead to unpredictable troubles.
Tattoo
A tattoo for a sailor is a "return ticket" home and a way to ingratiate herself with Lady Luck. One of the most popular images is the star between the index and thumb. They also painted religious symbols, such as a crucifix, on the body. It was a kind of request for help from the Almighty, and not only: on these tattoos, in the event of the death of a sailor, it was possible to determine what faith and according to what customs to bury him.
Detail: Savvy sailors tattooed a crucifix on their backs, believing that in case of punishment for any offense, the boatswain would not hit the "twelve-tailed cat" on the cross - the symbol of faith.