5. Never Rename a Ship

Renaming a ship was considered a grave risk among sailors, thought to anger the sea gods and attract misfortune. Unless a special ritual was held to erase the vessel’s old name from the gods’ memory, disaster might follow. Even famous vessels, like the ill-fated Mary Celeste, have stories tied to name changes and subsequent woes. This superstition’s origins lie in ancient maritime traditions and still echoes in modern shipping. Explore the tradition here.



