BITS ‘N’ PIECES

• A pierced earlobe on a sailor meant that he had sailed around the world or had crossed the equator. Superstitious sailors wore gold hoop earrings because they believed it brought good fortune. Some believed that the gold possessed magic healing powers or that it served as a protective talisman that would prevent the wearer from drowning. Tattoos were also seen as lucky. Seafarers would usually tattoo a nautical star on their bodies as the North Star represented a signal that they were nearing home. Cutting ones hair, nail trimming, and beard shaving were seen as big no-nos.
• It’s bad luck to change the name of the boat. Boats develop a life and mind of their own once they are named and Christened. If you do rename the boat- you absolutely must have a de-naming ceremony. This ceremony can be performed by writing the current boat name on a piece of paper, folding the paper and placing it in a wooden box then burning the box. After, scoop up the ashes and throw them into the sea.
• Seabirds were thought to carry the souls of dead sailors and it is considered bad luck to kill one. However, it is considered good luck if you see one.
• Mariners have long held the belief that whistling or singing into the wind will “whistle up a storm”.

Danish traditions

While cemeteries are the sites of spooky lore in many countries, this is not so much the case in the ever so secular Denmark. Many people might prefer to hang out in parks, but the Danes find it becoming to convert their cemeteries into areas for socializing. These cemeteries are well manicured and teeming with locals when the weather finally begins to warm up. Assistens Kirkegård in the country’s capital, Copenhagen, provides a perfect example. Plus, another incentive for people to hangout in cemeteries is that many famed Danes are buried here, including Hans Christian Andersen.

If you are single in Denmark, it is customary for your friends and family to throw you a birthday celebration by covering you in cinnamon when you reach 25. Many believe that the tradition dates back to when spice salesmen would travel around and remain bachelors. These salesmen never settled in one place long enough to meet a suitable spouse. However, the Danish people probably kept the tradition because it provides them with a fun way to celebrate a significant birthday. Well, it’s all fun and games until you reach 30, then they exchange cinnamon with peppers. That doesn’t sound like fun!