Why are bananas considered bad luck on a boat?
Bananas have long been considered bad luck on a boat by sailors and fishermen alike.
This superstitious myth dates back to the 1700s when ships were setting sail to the Caribbean to transport cargo and crates of bananas were commonly loaded aboard.
It was believed that having bananas on the ship would bring bad luck and eventually spoil, causing crew members to blame any misfortune or accidents on the presence of the fruit.
There were stories about boats sinking or running into a storm when they had bananas on board.
Just the sight of bananas floating in the water was enough to strike terror into any sailor’s heart.
Another reason why bananas were seen as bad luck on ships was that people thought they would ripen so fast that venomous snakes or spiders might be attracted onto the vessel.
Fishermen also avoided taking bananas with them on their boat because they believed it would attract sharks and make their bait less effective.
Even sailors going on a charter or planning their next fishing trip would avoid bringing along the fruit out of fear that they may encounter a shipwreck or get swept away by an outgoing tide.
What is the origin of the superstition surrounding bananas on board?
One of the oldest boating superstitions dates back to the belief that bananas on a boat are bad luck.
The origin of this superstition can be traced back to the days of sailing ships and fishing boats.
Having bananas on board a ship was believed to cause it to wreck or go bad, which they said brought misfortune.
Fearing that the fruit attracts pests and critters, captains and anglers also worried about venomous spiders found floating in debris , possibly because of the bananas themselves.
Another idea was that ethylene gas released from bananas causes other fruits and cargo to rot or spoil faster.
The practical fear about having these fruits during any voyage is that flies and other pests will be lured by them when they rot so near where people eat their meals.
This can be a big problem on fishing trips or long voyages with limited fresh food supplies.
Moreover, overripe banana smells might become overpowering inside a ship’s galley.
Therefore, captains made sure to avoid transporting bananas to prevent any potential risks to the crew and the success of their journey.
Explanation of the banana superstition
Explanation of the banana superstition:
Another sailors’ superstition is that bananas are bad luck on a ship.
This belief also includes the thought that if any seaman were to eat a banana while aboard, they would bring bad luck and cause the vessel to encounter heavy storms or get wrecked.
This superstitious belief can be traced back to the fact that during the ancient times, bananas used to rot quickly during long sea trips thus attracting insects which in turn resulted in poor health for both crewmates and ships.
Even today, some mariners still regard throwing away banana peels overboard from merchant vessels as ill fated since it may curse their journey. So it’s better safe than sorry; pack lots of sunblock!
Historical context of bananas on boats
Many hundreds of years ago, Portuguese sailors began carrying bananas on ships bound for Africa and Asia.
These undoubtedly risky transoceanic voyages involved very long periods of time during which food was scarce.
Because of their convenient packaging and substantial nutritional content, bananas were a quick favorite.
Traders eventually brought them to other parts of the world such as the Americas as they expanded their routes.
Not only did their presence aboard provide sustenance for seafarers but it also served as one of the main ways this tropical fruit found its way into new regions.
Bananas were seen as an emblem of everything exotic and luxurious often associated with places that were far off or foreign.
Today bananas are among the most widely consumed fruits globally with boats having played a critical role in their distribution across different continents throughout history.
Understanding this background is key to appreciating how significant banana trade has been for global commerce and cultural interaction.
How do bananas relate to bad luck on boats?
Old maritime traditions and superstitions consider bananas to bring bad luck on boats.
According to one belief, the common occurrence of spiders or pests in bananas that can hurt the crew or ruin the cargo is why they were thought to be unlucky.
Another idea posits that ripe banana smell could speed up the spoilage of other fruits, causing a depletion of supplies during lengthy sea trips.
Furthermore, it is said that the word “banana” itself is jinxed as its pronunciation closely resembles that of “bandana,” a kind of flag pirates used as a sign for danger.
These age-old tales have made sailors refrain from carrying this fruit while aboard their ships because they believe it tempts fate.
Effects of bananas on a fishing trip
Both positive and negative effects can be brought about by bananas on a fishing trip.
These are a handy and healthy meal that can fuel fishermen all day long, among other things.
As such they contain potassium which is vital in preventing muscle cramps especially when one stays too long out on water.
Nevertheless, there has always been this belief among anglers that having bananas along with them while going for fish brings bad luck; some say it’s the smell that drives away fish while others just think it’s jinxed.
Now if you’re superstitious or not, I’d suggest leaving those bananas behind whenever going out to catch some fish.
Are there any scientific explanations for bananas being considered unlucky on a boat?
Scientifically, the superstition that bananas are bad luck on a boat is not explained specifically.
However, some theories have been put forward in an attempt to explain this belief.
One theory proposes that fruits and vegetables spoil faster because they ripen due to the release of ethylene gas by bananas.
This would be impractical given the limited food storage space available on ships.
Another theory suggests that crews could have come to harm from poisonous spiders which once infested most bananas.
Moreover, it may also be true that people think ships carrying bananas will have bad luck because these fruits were associated with slave trade in the Caribbean.
Although these ideas shed light on why people may hold such views about bananas and boats, none of them can be supported by any definite scientific proof.
Ethylene gas and its impact on bananas
Ethylene gas is a natural plant hormone that helps fruits like bananas to ripen.
Once picked from trees, bananas release ethylene gas in small quantities which stimulates their ripening.
It has its pros and cons.
On one hand, the presence of ethylene guarantees faster maturity thus enabling early consumption of bananas.
It should be noted however that over exposure of these fruits to ethylene can lead to their quick overripeness with adverse effects on taste as well as texture.
Moreover, this substance accelerates spoilage thereby reducing shelf life of bananas too.
To delay ripening and keep them fresh for long, store bananas separately from apples or tomatoes which produce ethylene gas among other fruits that give off this compound.
You can also minimize ethylene exposure by keeping them cool and dry.
What are some other nautical superstitions related to food or items on board?
One widely recognized maritime superstitious notion about foodstuff on a ship is that it is inauspicious to have bananas when starting a journey.
According to sailors, having bananas on the boat would cause calamity at sea.
Another belief is that empty bottles should not be thrown overboard because it is said to bring misfortune.
Instead, they would smash the bottles once they were empty.
Fishermen are also known for their superstitions like not saying ‘pig’ while on board since it scares away fish.
conclusion
The idea of the banana curse on board is a great example of the wide range of maritime legends and traditions.
Although there is no scientific proof that bananas are bad luck for boats, the superstition persists among sailors and fishermen.
This belief has been part of maritime culture since ancient times, whether it be ghost stories about ships wrecking because they carried bananas as cargo or fears of attracting pests or spoiling other provisions.
In the end, this superstition offers an interesting glimpse into seafaring communities’ beliefs and customs—whether practical concerns rooted in reality or more fantastical explanations based on age-old myths.
Ultimately, no matter if one believes or not in such things like banana curses – it does make life at sea more mysterious doesn’t it?
