Episode 12: Superstition at Sea - The Legends Sailors Swear By

This week on King’s Talk, we dive into ten of the strangest, saltiest, and most enduring maritime superstitions, from cursed bananas and topless figureheads to tattoos as protection and the ghostly lights that sailors feared most. So whether you're a sailor, a land lover, or just afraid of foggy lights and folklore, this one’s for you.Sources:Tall Ship Providence Foundation – Women on Ships: https://tallshipprovidence.org/women-bad-luck/Lloyd’s Register Heritage & Education Centre – Women, Ships, and the Sea: https://hec.lrfoundation.org.uk/whats-on/stories/women-ships-and-the-sea-the-dangers-of-custom-and-superstitionNZ Maritime Museum – 20 Sailing Superstitions: https://www.maritimemuseum.co.nz/collections/top-20-sailing-superstitionsHubbard’s Marina – Why Are Bananas Bad Luck on Boats?: https://www.hubbardsmarina.com/bananas-bad-luck-on-a-boat/NOAA – What causes red sky at night?: https://www.noaa.gov/education/resource-collections/weather-atmosphere/red-sky-at-nightCarl Linnaeus – Systema Naturae (18th century taxonomy reference)Wikipedia – Line-crossing ceremony: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line-crossing_ceremonyMilitary.com – Unofficial U.S. Navy Certificates: https://www.military.com/history/2021/10/07/5-of-rarest-unofficial-us-navy-certificates.htmlUSN for Life – Golden Shellback History: https://usnforlife.com/blogs/usnforlife-blog/what-it-means-to-be-a-golden-shellbackEmerging Civil War – Shellbacks and Polliwogs: https://emergingcivilwar.com/2022/07/25/shellbacks-polliwogs-and-crossing-the-equator-amid-civil-war/National Ocean Service – Bioluminescence in the ocean: https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/biolum.htmlMaritime tattoo traditions compiled from various naval folklore archivesNext episode: Public Enemies: The Legend of Bonnie and Clyde