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Have you ever wondered why rope colors differ from country to country?
More than just tools in fisheries or maritime industries, ropes reflect deeper values of aesthetics, beliefs, and cultural identities. The culture of rope colors is a unique combination of tradition, faith, and the close relationship between people and nature. Join SIAM Brothers Vietnam as we explore the rope color culture across continents and representative nations, where seemingly lifeless strands become symbols of vitality and national character.
In Northern Europe, seafaring is a core part of life. Traditional fishermen in countries like Norway, Iceland, and the UK often use ropes made from hemp or flax, which naturally appear in brown or grey. These natural tones are retained not just for practicality but also to avoid superstitions.
A common belief is to avoid green on boats, including ropes. Because green symbolizes land and is thought to bring bad luck, such as grounding or storms.
In the British Royal Navy, since the 18th century, all military ropes have included a red thread, called the rogue’s yarn, to mark them as royal property. While originally a method of inventory control, the "red thread throughout" has evolved into a cultural symbol referenced in literature and sailor life.
Today, while synthetic ropes in orange or blue are used for visibility, many sailors still avoid green ropes due to lingering traditional beliefs.
Rogue’s yarn in the British Navy – Source: Reference
Source: Internet
Brazilian fishermen are heavily influenced by Afro-Brazilian spirituality, especially worship of the sea goddess Iemanjá. Ropes on boats are often white or light blue—symbols of purity, gentleness, and blessings from the sea deity.
Ropes used for anchoring, net-pulling, or decorating are chosen to align with religious colors. During festivals, these ribbons are even released into the sea as offerings for safety and peace.
In Peru and Chile, ropes are often dyed red or orange to attract fish and improve underwater visibility. In ancient Inca culture, braided straw ropes were used to construct hanging bridges—symbolizing connection and the sun. This legacy influences today’s rope choices: natural tones or bright yellows are favored, conveying strength and good fortune.
Golden grass rope in ancient Inca culture – Source: Internet
In Ghana, rope colors express both communal identity and belief systems. Fishermen often use red, yellow, or blue ropes, corresponding to local deities and the national flag. Black and white ropes are usually avoided as they are associated with funerals.
Colors corresponding to local deities and the national flag - Source: Internet
At beaches with many fishing groups, each team ties a distinctive colored cloth to their nets for identification and to avoid disputes.
Swahili fishermen in East Africa use white and green ropes, influenced by Islamic traditions. White symbolizes purity, while green is sacred. Red ropes are rarely used in maritime settings as they are believed to carry excessive energy, potentially causing unrest or bad luck.
Shimenawa rope in Japanese beliefs – Source: Pexels
Japanese fishermen often hang Shimenawa ropes made from light-yellow straw at the front of boats to ward off evil and seek safety. During Hari festivals (dragon boat racing), red-white or blue-white tassel ropes appear as part of sacred rituals, symbolizing purity, strength, and divine protection from sea gods.
In Korea, red ropes are commonly seen in pre-departure rituals. White ropes are avoided in seafaring contexts due to associations with mourning. Fishermen prefer deep blue or bright red ropes for tying boats, nets, and anchors.
Red cloth tied at the bow of the boat – Source: Internet
Chinese fishermen view red as an auspicious color—symbolizing prosperity, vitality, and smooth sailing. Tying red cloth or ropes at the bow is a widespread custom in fishing villages. White ropes are avoided due to connections with funerals and death.
In these countries, fishermen often decorate boats and ropes with red, yellow, or green fabric. Red represents strength and luck, yellow signifies abundance, and green expresses hope.
Pre-departure sea rituals often include tying red cloth to the bow to pray for calm waters and safe journeys. Some fishing nets are adorned with multicolored cloths as offerings to sea spirits and to honor folk traditions.
Colors in Vietnamese fisheries – Source: Internet
In Vietnam, fishing culture is deeply tied to spirituality. Fishermen frequently tie red cloth or ropes to the front of the boat before each trip. Red symbolizes protection from evil, blessings for good fortune, and has long been rooted in folk consciousness.
Some boats also hang five-colored ropes as protective charms and as markers of boat ownership. Fishermen in Central and Southern Vietnam often avoid using white or black ropes in fishing gear, fearing bad luck.
Beyond spiritual meanings, ropes in traditional Vietnamese maritime practices also serve highly practical functions. Ropes for nets, anchors, and mooring are often blue, yellow, or red, not only for visibility and handling but also because these are considered “lucky” colors.
Experienced fishermen often say that yellow or red ropes give them peace of mind when sailing, as if carrying a spiritual shield across the vast ocean.
Today, three popular rope types in Vietnam include:
Light yellow/cream (twisted PP rope): Lightweight, floats well, easy to spot on water.
Dark brown-yellow (rough-surfaced rope): Durable, rustic look, suitable for traditional wooden boats.
Bright brown-yellow (weighted rope with lead core): Ideal for anchoring nets to the seafloor and easy to distinguish from standard ropes.
Colors favored in Vietnamese fisheries – Source: SIAM Brothers Vietnam
Though not flashy, these color tones offer great practical benefits:
Help fishermen quickly sort and identify ropes
Prevent tangling when working underwater
Reduce confusion between specialized ropes, especially in low-light or stormy conditions
They not only serve fishing needs but also preserve Vietnam’s fishing heritage, rustic, functional, and full of symbolic meaning.
From Northern Europe to Southeast Asia, from Ghanaian beaches to Brazilian harbors, each coastal community infuses its own beliefs, hopes, and cultural identity into the colors of rope, an object that may seem ordinary, yet holds immense cultural weight.
The culture of rope colors goes beyond utility in fishing; it reflects spirituality, history, and humanity’s enduring bond with the sea. These ropes connect tradition and modernity, livelihood and belief, carrying with them hope, safety, and the essence of survival on the waves.
Read more: 5 FUN FACTS ABOUT ROPE
Source: SIAM Brothers Vietnam
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