Why Do We Name and Bless Our Boats?

My father, who was an avid sportsman, once bought an eight foot, aluminum Jon boat for fishing on the Meramec River in Missouri. I was about 12 at the time and my siblings and I were very excited about not only having our own boat, but also because we would be able to fish on the river instead of standing on the river's banks. My father gave me the privileged task of painting the name (Little Feather), on the bow of the boat. Ever since that time I have often wondered about the names people give their boats and the "why" behind boat naming.

Giving a boat or ship a name is a centuries old tradition that started out of a combination of fear and superstition. As history proves, the oceans and seas of the world are well known for their treacherous storms, claiming the life of many a sailor. Early Europeans believed that naming and blessing a boat in honor of the God that was popular at the given time, protected them from potential harm while at sea.

Poseidon, who was considered the God of the sea, as well as earthquakes and horses, was a favorite of the Greeks to ask for protection. The Romans preferred Neptune, who was also considered a God of the sea. I would have thought that Oceanus, who was considered a God of the ocean-sea and also believed to be a river that encircled the world, would have been a more popular choice.

Both the Greeks and Romans held elaborate ceremonies when their ships were christened, not much different from our ship launches of today. Parties were held, toasts of wine to the honored deity, a blessing from the high priest, and water poured over the boat, were the basic events of the ceremony. Any deviation from these events was considered a bad omen, with the result being a tragedy at sea. Some Native American, who painted symbols or animals on their canoes, also held launch ceremonies consisting of feasts, prayer and blessings.

Today we pour champagne over the boat or break the bottle over the bow and then make toasts. We have come a long way from our Viking ancestors who use to perform human sacrifices in their ceremonies to help appease the angry, ocean Gods.