Sailor Superstitions

Question 1

Chicken or pig tattoos also were good luck because if the ship sank, those animals were often found alive.

Accepted Answer

True

Question 2

A figurehead at the front of the ship was good luck. What was USS Constitution's first figurehead?

Accepted Answer

Hercules

Question 3

Eating a banana on a ship was ______!

Accepted Answer

Unlucky! Bananas get rotten quickly and attract spiders.

Question 4

Whistling is bad luck because it brings a strong wind.

Accepted Answer

True

Question 5

Having a cat on board was lucky because it could catch rats.

Accepted Answer

True

Question 6

Tattoos had different meanings for sailors. A compass tattoo symbolized:

Accepted Answer

find your way home if you get lost

Question 7

Seeing an albatross bird was _____.

Accepted Answer

Unlucky! You are being haunted by souls of drowned sailors

Question 8

USS Constitution has coins hidden under the mast! This was for the tradition of _____.

Accepted Answer

Payment to pass to the afterlife

Question 9

A ship mascot can bring good luck and create identity, just like a mascot for a football team.

Accepted Answer

True

Question 10

Sailors believed many things were either lucky or unlucky. Seeing a shark meant_____.

Accepted Answer

Bad luck! Someone would die soon

Question 11

If you are called a "Jonah", that means you are blamed for all the things going wrong on a ship.

Accepted Answer

True

Question 12

Tattoos are thought of as good luck and are still common today on sailors. What does a 'Hold Fast' tattoo mean?

Accepted Answer

Hold tightly to the ropes and rigging so you don't fall

Question 13

Mascots are good luck for a ship! USS Constitution has had a few throughout history. Which has NOT been one?

Accepted Answer

Dolphin

Question 14

Breaking a bottle on a ship before it launches is good luck.

Accepted Answer

True

Question 15

A red sky at night would mean_____!

Accepted Answer

Sailors Delight! A good weather day

Question 16

Sailors believed in superstitions, meaning they thought certain things brought good or bad luck while at sea.

Accepted Answer

True

Question 17

Seeing a mermaid was considered lucky or unlucky, depending on what country you are from.

Accepted Answer

True

Questions 17