A Ritual to Celebrate the Successful Completion of a Trip
It is common knowledge that sailors adhere to a number of peculiar rites and superstitions. There is a good reason why this event is referred to as the “Line-Crossing Ceremony.” Contrary to popular opinion, punishing someone for crossing a line does not mean that you are penalising them for violating a boundary.
What it literally means is to travel south of the Equator. Those people who have already travelled north of the equator are referred to as “shellbacks,” and it is they who are responsible for setting in motion a series of events that will affect those “pollywogs,” who have not yet done so.