Why Are Ships Launched with Champagne?
In ancient days, ships were christened with human blood as an offering to the sea gods, so that they would have this offering and spare the blood, actually the lives, of the men on board the ship. As men became more civilized, the blood of animals was used, and later, red wine and champagne. Even today, the future of the ship is
In ancient days, ships were christened with human blood. It was thought that the sea gods would take this as an offering and spare the sailors on board. As men became more civilised, the blood of animals was used, and later, red wine and champagne. Even today, its considered unlucky if the bottle of champagne doesnt break over the bow during the launching ceremonies.
It is a ceremonial tradition, originally of the Greeks, Romans and Egyptians, that a “christening fluid” be poured against the bow of the ship to ask the gods to protect the sailors. Sometime in the 1800’s, the use of champagne began because it was considered elite. It was a show of wealth to the large number of public spectators that were beginning to be present for the “christenings”. It is a superstition that if the bottle doesn’t break, it is a bad omen for the ship.
