tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8304928500646903522.post361974382732134907..comments2024-03-28T00:11:33.489-04:00Comments on bensozia: Troy TownJohnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01037215533094998996noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8304928500646903522.post-71871098441258723592020-05-03T10:07:27.274-04:002020-05-03T10:07:27.274-04:00The maritime usage seems like it could be related ...The maritime usage seems like it could be related to the "fertility" usage, given that number of cultures personify the sea as a woman, a lover, or even a wife - and often a temperamental one that requires regular ritual appeasement.<br /><br />As for entrapping evil spirits of bad luck, one reason I can think of for doing so at a site built to resemble a fertility symbol might be if those spirits are somehow associted with a sailor's struggles against pent up carnal desires while away at sea.<br /><br />If you're already willing to blame unpredictable phenomena like accidents and bad weather on spirits, it's not much of leap to then also blame poor conduct and fighting among physically deprived frustrated sailors stuck at sea on those same spirits.G. Verlorennoreply@blogger.com