Charms and Rituals

Fishing societies often turn to charms, amulets, or totems as protective devices. In some cases, these objects are worn by an individual; in others, they serve as shrines for a crew, family, or community as a whole.

Our Lady of Good Voyage

Our Lady of Good Voyage (replica), National Shrine of the Fisherman, Gloucester, Massachusetts

The most common individual charms among North Atlantic fishermen are religious medals, the Portuguese fist-of-power figures, or family mementos passed from father to son.

Ocean Planet Exhibition Floorplan

gene carl feldman (gene@seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov) (301) 286-9428

Judith Gradwohl, Smithsonian Institution (Curator/Ocean Planet)