Sailors believe whistling on ships invites bad luck.The act is frowned upon across maritime cultures worldwide.
It was thought whistling sounds mimic rising winds, risking storms that could damage sailing ships.Offends Sea God.
Whistling also resembles mythical sirens' songs that lure sailors onto treacherous rocks.Could distract crew.
Whistling associated with summoning spirits of the dead.Sounds seen as inviting ghosts or death itself from the depths.
On naval ships, casual whistling undermines discipline and officer authority.Could encourage insubordination.
Whistling between sailors enables secret communication, which indicates possible conspiracy against superiors.
Some myths specifically warn whistling imperils women onboard by summoning jealous feminine sea spirits.
Discordance with duties, resonance with dangers, power to undermine hierarchies spawned whistling taboo.
Whistling's roots in spirituality, superstitions and psychology perpetuate it as an unlikely custom across seafaring cultures even as beliefs in its effects have waned.