Whistling Down Bad Omens

Various techniques to finger whistle, 1893.

In many cultures, whistling is thought to bring bad luck.

In the UK one superstition about whistling involves 7 spirits or birds. It is believed when a person hears their call –it means death or at least a great calamity.

In the 19th-century English miners would refuse to enter mines if this spectral whistling was heard.

In many Slavic cultures, including Russia and Romania, it is considered bad luck to whistle indoors.

It is believed if this done, it will bring hardship to the household via the loss of one's money—hence the phrase, “Whistling money away.”

Whistling

However, it was believed whistling outdoors was okay.

The origin of this Slavic superstition dates back to a belief that whistling was a magical way to call the wind. Sailors used this when all was quiet—so they could continue to their destinations.

So the belief was if whistling indoors brings wind—it will surely blow everything away, including any money the family possesses.

In Korea, it is believed if a person whistles in their home—it will call a snake out—or even worse a ghost. School children are warned not to whistle.

In Lithuania is it is forbidden to “whistle while you work,” for it will summon an evil demon.

Many cultures, including-- Mexicans, Turks, Arabs, Japanese, Native Hawaiians, and Canadians all hold a tradition that states it is unwise to whistle at night.

It is believed evil spirits will then haunt the whistler.

Theater production
with props.

Theater workers believe whistling is unlucky. This superstition also has its roots in sailor beliefs.

Many stage technicians had sailing experience. They were hired because of their knowledge of intricate rope systems.

Stage productions often required these ropes to be manipulated—to assist an actor to fly on stage or to move about props during a production.

There was and is a strong belief that if someone were to whistle, it could cause a worker to miss a cue, which might endanger the actors on stage. For example, a prop might fall on an actor if a cue was early or missed.

Another theater superstition involves someone whistling backstage during a production. If the audience hears this, it is believed it will bring everyone bad luck.

In ancient China, there was a superstition that advised against whistling.

Skilled practitioners of a form of yoga known as “breath yoga”-- that involves whistling—caused the summoning of evil spirits.

It was also said they could use this yoga to predict weather patterns.

One summer, I encountered a group of teen boys fishing at a small pond in southern Colorado. Without thought, I began to hum and then whistle.

One of the teens that I did not know approached me. He was noticeably mad and punched me on the arm.

This group believed that whistling would prevent the fish from biting.

Maritime Superstitions, Part ll

Here are more beliefs that are considered to bring ships bad or good luck.

In the 1700s during the height of the South Atlantic and Caribbean trading empire, an interesting superstition at sea began. Bananas were considered a bad omen that brought bad luck.

The reason for this is many ships carrying cargos of bananas during this time had more deaths on board. This was especially true onboard ships that carried African slaves.

The reason for these deaths was twofold. Bananas being cargo were kept in the hold--African slaves were also kept in the hold. Fermented bananas give off a methane gas that became trapped below deck.

Everyone who was in the hold would succumb to this poisonous air. Others that went below deck to help would also die.

The second reason was a species of lethal poisonous spider that was found in bunches of bananas. If these spiders bit humans, they died.

This is why a maritime superstition was connected to bananas. This superstition evolved into a belief that if a sailor brought a banana on board, no fish would be caught.

There are also many superstitions that surround preparations for a sea voyage.

It was believed that a stolen piece of wood embedded into the keel of the ship would bring good luck and help the vessel sail faster. 

Often a silver coin was placed under the masthead to ensure a successful voyage.

A horseshoe was often nailed to a mast to bring good luck to a ship. 

But flowers were never allowed aboard because it was believed since they were connected to funerals they brought death.

Sailors warned others not to wish them “good luck” before they set sail--it was considered a bad omen. If this was mistakenly done, the sailor had to draw blood to avoid bad luck. This was most often accomplished by punching someone in the nose.

Sailors would step onto a ship always with their right foot. 

They would offer wine to the gods before they set off. Today sailors pour a liberal amount of wine right onto the deck.

Once their ship sailed, sailors would not look back. If they looked back, it was believed they were sending a message they were not prepared to begin the journey. It was said this attracted bad luck.

Other superstitious beliefs include: sailors would never to trim hair, shave off their beards or cut their nails at sea, for it was said this angered Neptune, the god of the sea and water.

While underway a sailor would never wear a deceased sailors clothing this was considered terrible luck.

Also while at sea a sailor would never say the number “13” instead they would say 12+1. Other words, a sailor would never utter were “drown” or “pig.”

Losing a bucket overboard, or seeing rats leave a ship were considered bad omens. Flat-footed and cross-eyed people were said to bring a craft terrible luck.

It was also considered bad luck to change a ships name. 

Sailors that had beards or tattoos were said to bring good luck to ships.

A dire superstition involved sailors that fell overboard. They often were not even thrown a rope. This was because sailors believed this man’s death was preordained--meaning, “What the sea wants, the sea will have.”

It was also viewed as an opportune sacrifice. Ancient sailors felt the gods would appreciate this sacrifice and therefore would not take another life from their ship.

In Part l Maritime Superstitions, more beliefs are shared.

Maritime Superstitions, Part 1

Today’s technology allows for much safer sea travel, but these advancements in communications, navigation and weather forecasting are relatively new.

For centuries, maritime travel was hazardous, and the loss of ships and lives was common.

Sailors for hundreds of years had only a set of superstitious practices that they firmly believed would protect them from the sea’s deadly storms. They did not take these beliefs lightly, for they felt if adhered to faithfully they would up their chances of survival.

Today most of these superstitions have been set aside, but some are still practiced more out of tradition than belief. Here are just a few.

Storms at sea took lives, so practices that ensured they would not be stirred up were standard. Sailors never whistled while at sea--it was believed that this stirred the wind causing a storm to hit.

Sailors would never thrown stones into the water for this was considered disrespectful to the sea. It was believed this action would cause a storm.

It was believed cats onboard ships were useful in predicting the weather. Sailors thought that if a cat walked toward them, this meant good luck but if a cat approached them but then retreated it brought misfortune.

When a cat was seen licking its fur against the grain, this meant a hailstorm was imminent. If a cat sneezed rain was on its way, and if they were frisky, the wind would soon blow.

Some sailors even believed cats could incite storms with the magic in their tails. But opposite to most superstitions, black cats were considered good luck for a ship.

Clapping on board was said to bring the thunder. Umbrellas were never carried on board a ship--it was reported this tempted fate.

There were also many superstitious practices that were followed to avoid bringing bad luck or doom to a ship.

Crewmembers with red hair were believed to bring a voyage terrible luck. The only way to avoid this misfortune was for another crewmember to speak to the redhead first before they spoke. 

It was considered a double the bad luck, if a crewmember with red hair, whistled while at sea.

Many captains would not allow their crew to wear green sweaters while on board. For they believed this also brought bad luck. The color black was also considered bad luck. Sailors would not carry their belongings around in a black bag or wear black clothing.

Priests with their black robes were also considered bad luck.

A classic maritime superstition involves woman on board ships. This was considered very bad. For women tempted or distracted the crew from their duties--which could doom a vessel.

On the other hand, naked women were believed to calm the sea--thereby keeping storms at bay. This is why so many ships had a naked woman as their mastheads.

Birds could bring either good or bad luck to a ship. Swallows, when seen, were said to bring good luck, while curlews and cormorants were bad luck.

If a sailor was to kill a gull or an albatross, this was especially troubling for it was believed these two birds held the souls of dead sailors. This belief was also connected to dolphins.

If dolphins were seen swimming in front of a ship, this was said to bring good luck, if sharks were seen following a boat this was considered a harbinger of death.

In Part ll of MaritimeSuperstitions, more traditional beliefs are shared. 

Superstitions, Bad Luck and Friday the 13th

Today is one of those days that some people still dread. Many claim the number 13 has brought them bad luck. And when it is combined with a Friday--they just will not take chances.

Triskaidekaphobia is a fear of the number 13. It is said on Friday the 13^th the bad luck this number brings is tripled.

Superstitions are based in the belief that something terrible will happen if they are not observed or followed. Unfortunately, some in history proved to be harmful. But most were not.

Today most are no longer believed.

Here are just a few superstitions that were passed down from one generation to the next.

Did you know?

If you go to bed on one side of the bed and get up on the other side, it is considered bad luck. Through history many have taken this belief seriously--it is where the phrase: “He or she got up on the wrong side of the bed” came from.

Did you know?

Superstitions like black cats crossing your path, breaking mirrors, walking under ladders, and opening an umbrella inside a building all bring bad luck. This last superstition is useful for it is challenging to get an opened umbrella through a doorway.

Did you know?

You should never vow your love for another under a full moon. It dooms it. Hundreds of years ago humankind felt that the moon was erratic at best. It changes size throughout the month and completely disappears during eclipses.

Did you know?

When you yawn, you must always cover your mouth. After all, this is just good manners.

But this belief actually came about because people felt the devil makes people yawn so he can enter and possess them. So people would make the sign of the cross over their mouth initially--this evolved into covering the mouth.

Did you know?

On Friday the 13^th, or on any day, you should never cross a knife and fork on the dinner table. This is why many traditional place settings place the knife and fork on opposite sides of the plate. Crossing these two utensils was believed to bring bad luck in the form of difficult times ahead.

Did you know?

That a gift given to a recipient should never be given outright. It should be loaned only, or a small token should be given in return, such as a nickel of penny. This was done because it was felt a gift given outright meant a severing of the bond of friendship.

This superstition has some truth to it. How many times have people loaned money and lost a friend?

Did you know?

Thirteen people should never sit down and eat at the same table. This brings bad luck-- this superstition comes from the  “Last Supper.”

The Last Supper

Another superstition states if 13 people meet in one room, one of them will die before the end of the year.

Yet another superstition that involves the number 13 is one that is still practiced. Most tall buildings still do not acknowledge there is a 13^th floor.

Did you know?

That you should never go out on a first date on a Friday night. Of course, today Friday is date night--but in the past, people felt a courtship was doomed if started on a Friday night.

In England, hundreds of years ago, if a young couple was seen out on a Friday night, they were serenaded with the banging of pots and pans, to shame or embarrass them into delaying their courtship until the following day. 

Did you know?

It was initially believed broken mirrors brought 7 years of bad luck because they not only were a reflection of the person--they held bits of a person’s soul.

Another superstition surrounding mirrors was that it was essential to cover them, in the presence of the sick and dying. If this was not done, it was believed the patient might see death lurking in the reflection.

Did you know?

Bringing a woman on board a boat or ship was considered bad luck. An old maritime superstitious belief was a female’s presence, could endanger the crew. It was even believed a female could cause everyone on board to die.

Did you know?

Another maritime superstition involves the tradition that no one on board a boat could speak the name of one particular fish. It was called: The beast, the redfish, the foul fish, or merely the fish. But it was never called by its real name--salmon.

Haunted Mirrors

Recently, a haunted mirror sold on eBay for 150 American dollars. The two British men who sold it claimed it had brought them bad luck. 

It seems their landlord threw it out, and they fished it out of a dumpster near their London home and placed it on a wall. A short five months later, they were trying to get rid of it--with the disclaimer that it was haunted.

These two claimed that they had experienced financial difficulties and illness since acquiring this mirror. They had both been awakened in the middle of the night by “screaming pain.” Both of them had felt a strong “sense of impending doom.” They saw flickering shadows reflected in this mirror, and one stated he had woken up covered in “deep red scratches.” 

Of course many supposed “haunted items” are sold on eBay each year, but this story is fascinating because it actually is similar to several documented cases involving haunted mirrors.

Here is a link to a news story about this haunted mirror.

For generations, people have been fascinated by reflective surfaces. Because of this, many folktales and legends have been created. Mirrors are connected to “portals.” I wrote about this connection in another post here. 

Here are more superstitions or s in relationship to mirrors. For mirrors are believed to pose dire risks.

If a person is in bed and ill in a room, all the mirrors should be covered. The reason for this is when a person is vulnerable to a mirror, if it is a portal, it can take their soul.

People should never look into a mirror at night or by candlelight. The reason for this is because you might see a ghost or even your own death.

This one I mentioned in my other post. When a person dies in a room, all the mirrors should be covered or turned toward the wall. The reason for this is so the dead person’s soul does not become lost in a portal.

When a person is sleeping, they should cover all the mirrors in the room. The reason for this is so negative energy cannot attack them. Along with this, it is said that a person should never place their bed in a way that a mirror can reflect it.

Finally, a person should move their mirrors to different areas of the room. The reason for this is so spirits or ghosts cannot use it as a portal.

The above beliefs above are, of course, superstitions. But here are some documented cases of how people acquired mirrors--that then caused them paranormal problems. So there are mirrors that should be avoided.

Here are some suggestions that people should avoid.

Don’t buy or place old mirrors in your home.

If a previous owner to the home you rent or buy leaves a mirror or mirrors behind--get rid of them.

If a mirror has been used for any kind of spiritual work e.g., divination or scrying, get rid of them because these practices supposedly open portals. 

People who do this professionally-- often cleanse or do a ritual with these mirrors to protect themselves.

Using a Ouija board can open a portal as well. If there is a mirror nearby, it can become the host for this portal.

Finally, many places that are reputed to be haunted, such as old hotels, have mirrors that are portals. I have never encountered “a portal,” but I find this information interesting.