Never Start a Voyage on a Friday

The Seafaring Taboo That Anchored Friday's Unlucky Reputation

Details

Maritime tradition strongly advised against beginning a journey at sea on a Friday, considering it the most unlucky day possible for embarkation. Ships that sailed on Friday were believed to be at higher risk for accidents, poor weather, and even complete disappearance. Particularly devout mariners extended this taboo to other ship-related milestones—refusing to lay down a keel or christen a new vessel on a Friday. Captains and crews frequently adjusted schedules to avoid this day, even at the cost of delay or financial strain. The superstition was so entrenched that crew members might protest a Friday departure or quietly sabotage it.

Historical Context

This calendar-based superstition is rooted in a fusion of Christian theology and maritime pragmatism. In Christian tradition, Friday was associated with the crucifixion of Jesus, and according to some accounts, Adam and Eve were expelled from Eden on a Friday. These biblical connections contributed to the belief that the day itself carried inherent spiritual misfortune. Additionally, maritime authorities historically observed a spike in accidents occurring on Fridays, though modern analysts attribute this to rushed end-of-week departures rather than divine wrath. The Royal Navy once attempted to disprove the superstition by commissioning a ship named HMS Friday, laying her keel on a Friday, launching her on a Friday, and appointing a Captain Friday—only to have her (as the legend goes) vanish without a trace. While the story may be apocryphal, it reflects the widespread cultural power of the belief. Spanish sailors, too, viewed Friday—and Tuesday—as days of bad luck, drawing on historical calamities such as the fall of Constantinople.

Modern Relevance

Although ignored by modern commercial shipping and cruise schedules, the superstition remains alive in parts of maritime culture. Recreational sailors, especially in traditional sailing communities, sometimes still avoid setting out on a Friday. Insurance data shows no statistical basis for increased maritime danger on Fridays, yet some cruise lines acknowledge a slight dip in bookings for Friday departures. The superstition reaches its peak on Friday the 13th, when mariners who otherwise ignore folklore may take extra precautions. Maritime museums and heritage vessels frequently include this superstition in their educational programming as a vivid example of how belief shaped seafaring behavior and decision-making.

Sources

Combs, E. (1998). Taboos in Folklore. Facts on File.
Rappoport, A. S. (2007). Superstitions of Sailors. Dover Publications.