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Home / Botanical / In maritime folklore, bananas on boats are bad luck

In maritime folklore, bananas on boats are bad luck

Updated on December 16, 2025July 15, 2025
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In maritime folklore, bananas were blamed for bad luck—especially among sailors and fishermen. Some fishermen believed bananas scared away fish or that you’d catch nothing if you brought one on board. 

Alternatively, black cats on boats were thought to bring good luck. 

Learn more at https://www.hubbardsmarina.com/bananas-bad-luck-on-a-boat/

Bad luck Banana black cat Boat cat Good luck

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