Sailors' superstitions: Difference between revisions

Many theories have formed as to explain these phenomena and why they exist. [[Jakob Jakobsen]] theorised that such practices existed with the intent to confuse and ward off [[Fairy|fairies]] and protect the sailors.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Jakobsen|first=Jakob|title=Dear norrøne sprog på Shetland|year=1897|pages=83}}</ref> [[William Burley Lockwood|Lockwood]] concurred as well with the general line of thought and concluded it was also done so as to not summon dangerous animals such as whales or ravens.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Lockwood|first=William Burley|title=Word Taboo in the Language of Faroese Fishermen|publisher=Transactions of the Philological Society|year=1955|pages=1–24}}</ref> [[Svale Solheim|Solheim]] follows this same line of thought and considers it also be done to protect loved ones back on land from such animals and spirits.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Solheim|first=S|title=Nemmingsfordomar ved Fiske|publisher=Oslo|year=1940|pages=178}}</ref> Bairbre Ní Fhloinn critiques this line of thought concluding it to be reductionist and insulting to the intelligence of fishermen; however, she does admit it may be a factor.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Ní Fhloinn|first=Bairbre|title=Cold Iron aspects of the Occupational Lore of Irish Fishermen|publisher=UCD|year=2018|isbn=978-0-9565628-7-6|pages=237–238}}</ref>