Ceremony for name change?

[David Satter]

Anybody know of one? Maybe a traditional ceremony for a wooden boat?

[Ian McColgin]

Re: Ceremony for name change?

The blood of a fatted virgin is acceptable to the gods.

More seriously, a few days before any naming ceremony point the bow north or east. This can be a pain if the boat is yet to be launched. Then sit with the boat in meditation, explain to her why you want the change, and humbly ask her permission.
She will let you know.

[Canoeyawl]

Re: Ceremony for name change?

We always had a big party, with lots of offerings to the gods on hand, including burning any and all traces of the old name
Then next day a proper launch ceremony as if it was a new boat
This affair should lasts two days, and one night at a minimum
recovery time may take longer

[Benson Gray]

Re: Ceremony for name change?

Many years ago the following treatise on boat naming or christening was presented tonugue-in-cheek to the members of rec.boats.building by Marlon MacAllister (Merlin Aleister), a self described Majician and Foole. It was reproduced on the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association web site at one time and also included in this forum about ten years ago but I couldn't find it recently. This seemed like a good time and place to bring it back.


The Indian ritual has a good ring to it... and... I believe that you already know enough to devise a good ritual that has personal resonance. Presuming you are a "theist" of some type:

Step 1. Select god/goddess
("god"/"God"/or "Godzilla" it's the same thing)

Since you are asking for a "'christ'-ening" you may be presuming that Christ is there. Unless the Haida Indians are Christian, they probably do not do a Christ-ening....

• Choice "A": "our" Christian Lord God Jehovah is a bit remote for this purpose...but, Jesus hung out with fisherman, and I'm sure he could have whipped out a solid populist boat blessing; Make up a "Cool Jesus" (rather than Church Jesus) prayer..."His" Jamaican counterpart JAH could do it (Bob Marley, "Legends" playing in the background... maybe a live reggae band... "jerk" chicken, Red Stripe Beer.) You might look at some of the Holy Mother votive candles, Virgin de Cobre is the Patron Saint of Sailors...
• Choice "B": Oxun (o-shoon') a righteous African-Caribbean Goddess (sensual, erotic) of rivers, creeks, brooks, springs and lakes; I see... everybody wears white... a night time ritual... candles and melodious percussion music... check with your local Shaman for appropriate offerings. (Don't forget to begin and end with a prayer to Ellegba, the keeper of crossroads/waters to open a path and remove all obstacles...) Votive Candles, Candela de Oraciones, (available at grocery stores... Nino de Atoccha (Ellegba) or Los Sietes Potencias de Africanas
• Choice "C": Indigenous deity, (ask your local shaman). Align with this God/dess's personal attributes appropriate to your task, appropriate offerings...

Step 2: Invoke Deity(ies)

Respectfully ask the deity to bless your ritual, just talk to them... (agnostics can address the divine human archetype within all humanity or other suitable symbolic/imagistic/psychospeak) [Your vessel should be prepared for the ceremony! According to many cultures an eye, or eyes, have been painted on so that the boat may see (check out some Phoenician or Greek ships). This particular vessel will be the vehicle of your consciousness, so... how do you want to proceed in the spirit water world? You may want to use colored chalk to inscribe many "bon voyage"/mystic symbols... maybe one from each member of your family, or the primary users of the vessel.]

Step 3: Invoke the elements/directions

As many as you want... fire, earth, air and water are traditional. Is your boat wood? Wood! You may want to anoint the boat with these elements... (watch that fire!) A salt water boat? Salt! Just sprinkle some around... Are you hoping to travel to a special place? Ask the winds of the appropriate direction to aid your venture... Burning Sage is always good for purification! Now...very slowly, as though you were taking a child for her first swim, ease your boat into the water, splash it gently all over, marvel at her initial awkwardness... hold a vision of life for your boat... maybe go for a ride!

Step 4: Say Thank You

Thank the deity; Close the ceremony, start the party...

NOTE: Your friends (and you) will (probably) fall into three categories:

1. "I'm into it"
2. "Can't hurt, could help, show some respect"
3. "Jokers".

The first two types will be wonderful. The jokers can be disruptive to your "gestalt". You could just not invite them, but you would miss the jokes... so, if you can get the lead joker - you know the one - and give him space and time to ridicule, make jokes, name call, etc., then you have all the bases covered (the Devine Fool will have his way, anyway). Basically, the more people participate, the higher the energy will be! This is the stuff that traditions are made of! Your children's children will remember!

[David Satter]

Re: Ceremony for name change?

Wo, Benson that seems like a lot. Was hoping for something simpler. May give it a try though. It's just a CLC Annapolis wherry!

[johngsandusky]

Re: Ceremony for name change?

When I changed Lodestar to Wandering Star, I opened a bottle of rum, each crewmember took a sip or shot, and I poured a shot into the water.

[debenriver]

Re: Ceremony for name change?

Simple:

"I rename this ship xxxxxxxx. Blessings upon her and all who sail in her" Then break/pour a bottle of something fizzy/champagne etc. over the stem. And then have a party.

Cheers -- George

[willin woodworks]

Re: Ceremony for name change?

Dont say the name out loud until you've said it to the boat.

[Ben Fuller]

Re: Ceremony for name change?

Rum / whiskey for Poseidon/ Neptune/ Ran and the nymphs/ sprites/ wraiths/ kraken

[Canoeyawl]

Re: Ceremony for name change?

Dont say the name out loud until you've said it to the boat.

That's just common sense

[AndanteEd]

Re: Ceremony for name change?

Rum / whiskey for Poseidon/ Neptune/ Ran and the nymphs/ sprites/ wraiths/ kraken

Yup, and plenty for everyone else involved. This allows the deities to exact any revenge on the mortals in the form of hangovers.

After that you're good to go.

[Rich Jones]

Re: Ceremony for name change?

When I changed Lodestar to Wandering Star, I opened a bottle of rum, each crewmember took a sip or shot, and I poured a shot into the water.

Seems to have worked. You've had that boat for at least 15 years now and all is well.
Except, perhaps, for that one idiot powerboater who smashed a hole in the bow years ago.

[johngsandusky]

Re: Ceremony for name change?

Seems to have worked. You've had that boat for at least 15 years now and all is well.
Except, perhaps, for that one idiot powerboater who smashed a hole in the bow years ago.

I've had a few mishaps, but plenty of great sailing and cruising. She's the type boat I always dreamed of, and I would buy her again in a minute.

[JimConlin]

Re: Ceremony for name change?

Our local kids’ sailing club recently launched a skiff the kids had built. Sparkling grape juice was used.

On boat so equipped, don’t forget to re-polarize the gronicles.

[schoonerpacket]

Re: Ceremony for name change?

I have used this one to great effect.

https://www.boatsafe.com/renaming-boat/