Superstitions: Redheads on the Sea

Photo by Eric Mclean

It used to be believed that redheads could bring bad luck to a ship's journey. They were often not welcomed upon ships even as guests and avoided before beginning a journey. If a sailor was to meet with a redhead before boarding the ship they were to speak to the redhead before the redhead spoke to them. This would prevent bad luck from following them on board. 

Redheads throughout history have had both bad and good superstitions. Now that the world is wiser the superstition of redheads on ships arent widely believed. 

SOURCES:

Wikipedia

Formula Boats

Better Boat

Discover Boating

Superstitions: Black Cat

Photo by Akin Cakiner

There are several superstitions on black cats. Though not all bad some see black cats of an omen for their black fur. In different cultures there are different beliefs in black cats. Cats have always had connections with humanity for a long time. 

In Ancient Egypt cats were seen as divine. In Greek Mythology Hecate the goddess, of the moon, witchcraft, magic, and sorcery had a cat that was a familiar. In Japan if a black cat crosses your path it will bring you good luck. In Germany if one walks right to left in front of you luck is in the future. In Scotland it if you find a black cat on your doorstep then moneys coming to you soon. Some European sailors would bring a black cat for luck onto their voyages. 

The most known and popular superstition for black cats though are that they bring bad luck. Like many other black animals like dogs it's believed that they are harbingers of death. Some believe that they are familiars or helpers of witches or the witches themselves. Some believe that they may even be the devil incarnate. This belief was even documented by the pope in 1233. 

SOURCES:

History

Blue Cross

The Spruce Pets