Superstitions / Folk Beliefs
Although some of us might have a tendency to mock those who faithfully follow superstitions that are related to the sea, we really should have more respect for them. The practices and beliefs are deeply rooted, stemming especially from the time when there was no ship-to-shore communication. During those years, the stress of living in a fishing community was profound. Vessels would be gone for weeks or months at a time. People left at home were determined to be as positive as possible, but the very real dangers that were faced daily at sea could not be ignored.
One of the ways in which many mariners and their families felt that they had some control over their lives came in the form of superstitions. They believed that if they followed the superstitions, or “folk beliefs”, that they could help to keep their loved ones safe at sea.
One superstition focused on the colour of mittens worn by fishermen.
Home-made mittens were used by both inshore and offshore fishermen. The women in the families would often knit thick, large wool mittens for the fishermen. The mittens would shrink from the cold Atlantic waters, and would become almost water-tight.
In Nova Scotia, the mittens were often made of white wool. Mittens with any colour were thought to bring bad luck. There is a story told of one captain of a fishing schooner who, after discovering that a member of the crew had brought grey mittens with him, turned the schooner around and returned to port. The offending mittens were removed from the vessel. There are many other stories where coloured mittens were thrown overboard.
Why was the colour of mittens important? Undertakers often wore gloves that were grey. A connection was made between coloured gloves and mittens; they were thought to be harbingers of death.
It was only a small part of life aboard a fishing schooner, like the Fisheries Museum’s Theresa E. Connor, but it was important. It helped to give a sense of comfort, to both the men at sea and their families at home.
Tags: folk beliefs, Lunenburg, superstitions
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