Votive gifts and faith of seafarers in the Mediterranean

Markova Diana M.

Historically, it has long been a tradition for seafarers to have paradoxical religious beliefs about objects, phenomena, ships and people associated with sailing or accompanying preparations for it. Some of the sacred beliefs and customs for sailors are covered with a veil of mystification, mystery. They acquired a romantic halo in connection with the unquenchable interest of society in the profession of seafarers. Traditional marine customs, lifestyle and norms of behavior have long been perceived as a combination of characteristics inherent in the social stratum of courageous people, opposing the recalcitrant water element and able to cope with the raging sea not only physical strength, but also ingenuity, observation, the skill of shipbuilders, as well as insight, skill to notice signs of changing weather, team spirit or proximity to the land, invisible to the land amateur. The atmosphere of exclusivity, mystery, uniqueness and incomprehensibility envelops the profession of a sailor and in connection with the refraction of this branch of life in the works of talented writers from ancient times to the present day, which is typical for epic works. The article considers the votive gifts and faith of the sailors of the Mediterranean

Keywords:sailing; faith; religion; culture; sailor; votive gifts; ex-voto; painting; peril at the sea; pilot board; art; church; maritime