Here is a more detailed description of the ceremony

The ceremony of Crossing the Line

– an old seafaring tradition

According to an old tradition, all those crossing the Equator for the first time must be baptized and thus made a “real” seafarer. After the ceremony, the newly baptized will be awarded a Crossing the Line Certificate stating his or her name and the date of the "baptismal ceremony". The Master makes his confirmation by signing the certificate.

Organized Line Baptism dates as far back as the 1520s and, apart from local varieties, you can find the ceremony described in several navy and merchant fleets worldwide. Originally, the equatorial baptism was a kind of consecration of the Seamen's profession and could at times be rather wild. Gradually it has evolved into a merry joke for everyone on board, whether one is a sailor or a passenger.

The baptismal ceremony itself can be kept very simple, but many choose to put effort into costumes and accessories to create a festive frame around the event.

No matter how it is being arranged, there are some rules that apply:

• The crossing ceremony should be fun for all those involved and not harm anyone. Respect that some may not wish to be in the game.

• Do not overdo the "treatment" of those who are being baptized.

• Do not use force against candidates who try to avoid participation.

Note that among candidates for baptism there can be shipmates who have good reasons not to be baptized - for example physical infirmities and strong shyness. Do not press these but try to get them to participate in other ways - such as extra helpers for the barber or the doctor.

To achieve a successful event, it is necessary to observe the following:

• The ceremony must be planned well in advance, and no details must be forgotten.

• All the roles must be duly assigned and rehearsed, and all necessary props should be in place.

• The list of candidates must be prepared. Ensure that they are not wearing clothes that can be damaged during the ceremony.

• Good food, entertainment, and competitions may contribute to an extra enjoyable party afterward.

In accordance with tradition, the ceremony must be performed by at least 6 people in the party: King Neptune, an astronomer, a bishop, a doctor, a barber, and at least 2 guards. All these should be initiated persons, i.e., previously baptized and accepted by King Neptune. No such ceremony would have the intended effect without costumes. The simplest remedies can be used. For hair and beard, you can use untwined rope yarn or cotton waste. Wood and cardboard are fine materials for swords, knives, and other necessary equipment. Use your imagination.

1. King Neptun. Wearing a seven-tagged, gilt cardboard crown. Long, white hair and a beard made of frayed cable nets. He has legs and arms sticking out from a suitable robe painted with marine shapes. Legs and arms can be painted like fish shells, and on his feet, he could wear fins. He uses solemn language, and always says "we" - not "I". Prop: Long-shafted Neptune fork.

2. Queen Neptunia. (King Neptune's consort, also called Queen Amphitrite). She arrives in a skirt of bast or frayed cable nets, a bra, and with a small cardboard crown. She appears with naked legs and different "jewelry" (marine craft for the occasion). Her cheeks are hectic red, her eyebrows are black, and her mouth is boldly painted red. She has hair as the best cable yarn or solid wood wool - like green colored as seagrasses. Props: Evening bags, hand mirror, steel brush for her hair, and decorated fan.

3. The Astronomer is the next in the King's entourage and the next of rank. He has a tall, pointed wizard hat painted with old and new celestial bodies - black, ankle-length robe painted with astronomical figures, moons, and stars, and on the (loose) nose, he has glasses. Props: A large sextant of three, an old sea chart, or a flat globe painted on cardboard. Plate with chalk or a large sheet of paper and crayons to calculate the correct position. Telescope/binoculars made of two clear bottles, with a red stripe over the bottle bottom so the newly baptized can see "the line"!

4. The Doctor is included in King Neptune's entourage. He appears in a white robe painted with "fresh" blood stains. Gauze before nose and mouth, glasses upon the port wine nose, rolled up arms, and well-worn work gloves. He usually has a white hat. The doctor may have assistants to carry props. Props: Oversize thermometer and stethoscope, "medicine bottles" with indeterminate content, "pillbox" with small balls of dough filled with strong spices - or licorice pastilles or the like, an injection cylinder containing colored water for vaccination.

5. Bishop. As the venerable old seawater prelate, he is, he comes dressed in a tall miter of colored red cardboard with a painting of the Neptune fork in front, and with a bishop cope vestment reaching down to the feet, made of canvas bag decorated with glitter and colour. Props: Crosier and Certificates of Crossing.

6. Barber is a fellow of doubtful appearance with a large becket mustache and sideburns, long black wispy hair, and a not-entirely-sober nose. Barbers may often need an apprentice as an assistant. Props: Large wood or cardboard scissors, a large razor of ditto material (1 m long!), a large paintbrush, and a bucket with mild foaming soap water.

7. Guards (guards, police, soldiers). To support King Neptune and his entourage there should be at least two or more guards so that as many as possible can be involved in the game. They should calm down and bring forward any unwilling baptismal candidate and ensure that no one can escape. Guards should be substantial guys. One of them should be appointed as the head, general or chief of police. Props: They should have good impressive masks and costumes in a warlike style. Vikings were armed with spears, shields, and swords, or the force with epaulets on the shoulders, whistles, and sticks of coiled newspapers.

8. Herald - of unbaptized often called "the messenger" - is the first of King Neptune's court who leave the wet element for entering the ship and the last one to disembark. He is equipped with a three-cornered hat (Napoleon hat) in black cardboard decorated with a pirate skull or Neptune fork. He has a black patch over one eye, a big beard, and bristling hair - and is also equipped as a colourful happy pirate captain of the good old days. He has a flashy uniform jacket with enormous epaulets and wide gold cords, and large sea boots. Props: Something to make trouble with, trumpet, pan lid, drums, or something else that rumbles.

Otherwise, the court might be expanded by princesses’, musicians (like an entire orchestra), assistants (to the doctor and the barber) - and several guards...

THE CEREMONY

Introduction

The day before the actual baptism things start to happen to emphasize the importance of the forthcoming crossing ceremony and to create a little mystery and excitement surrounding the event. At a time when as many people as possible hear it, ask one of the initiated if the master has "remembered to send the papers". There is little fuss, and a man is sent out to get the "big envelope".

Until the "envelope" appears somebody talks mysteriously about King Neptune and his strict requirements for all those who have not previously crossed the Equator. They must undergo a cleansing process before the ship is eventually allowed to pass.

When the master has the "papers", he gives orders to three long bursts of the whistle to call the Sea People’s attention. On the leeward side, he takes out the contents of the envelope and explains to the "people of the ocean" that the documents are the ship's registration certificate, crew lists, etc., as well as a list of those to be baptized before crossing the equator. The papers are put back in the envelope and thrown into the sea, accompanied by some well-chosen and solemn words to "His Majesty". (Some old iron scrap is also placed in the envelope, so it sinks immediately).

Later in the evening, a colorful and fanciful telegram turns up on the bulletin board or is otherwise announced. The telegram is a message from King Neptune that declares that he and his accompany will inspect the ship and its crew the following day.

THE ARRANGEMENT

When the time is approaching for King Neptune's arrival, an alert "visit on board" is given. A few minutes before King Neptune arrives the Herald enters with noise and commotion. He salutes the ship and its crew and brings the solemn message (read from the deep-sea bulletin), that King Neptune is in the waters and is expected on board at any time. The King will check if there are unbaptized crew members on board!

Rumble and noise! King Neptune and his entourage are coming. The procession is welcomed with three bursts of the ship’s whistle. King Neptune and his queen are heading toward the ceremony area. Followed by the "orchestra", which blows fanfare or otherwise loudly attracts attention! Then the others arrive (singing the same or another song) in this order: bishop, astronomer, any princesses, the doctor, and the barber with any assistants (aides), and finally the suburbs.

When entering the ceremony, King Neptune and his consort take place on the throne. The bishop and the astronomer stand on each side of the "royals". The other officials, their aides, and guards break down the flanks. The orchestra is behind the king and his consort. When all the deep-water people and their king are in place and facing the audience, the master asks for silence and gives a welcome speech. The orchestra greets with loud cheers from their instruments. King Neptune rises. In his hand, he has a big, wet envelope (imagine it was thrown overboard the night before). He thanks for the welcome words and gives the order to the astronomer to measure the declination of the sun's meridian and calculate the distance from the Equator. ("We do not trust modern navigation methods!").

The Astronomer measure and count and declare that the position is good. King Neptune raises his hands to silence and continues his speech. He explains that the ship is not allowed to cross the “Line" before the gentiles have undergone a thorough spiritual and physical “ablution” through baptism and renaming. He emphasizes that those who set themselves against the ablution and baptism by flight or resistance will be caught up by his guards and brought to the ocean floor – otherwise the ship must turn. (At this point, the orchestra and the entourage can play their instruments and sing to emphasize the gravity of the King's words.)

The bishop is now taking over and tells the poor novice seamen that they only count as freshwater sailors and landlubbers since they only have splashed around in the sea north of the Equator. But hereafter they will be considered as able-bodied salt and deep-water sailors, baptized in the real seawater from Equator’s 3000 meters depth. The country road dust from the Northern Hemisphere should be washed off. It is a harsh cure that requires strong medication, thorough washing, and heavy scraping before the baptized can receive a "His Majesty" certificate which gives free passage to sail in all seas and cross the Equator again without further treatment. And then he calls out: "Doctor and barber - do your duty according to the old ritual!”.

The name of the first baptismal candidate is called out, he promptly is taken care of by the guard and brought before King Neptune and his court - and placed in the doctor's chair (or on a bench)!

BAPTISMS

The baptismal candidate is examined carefully by the doctor, who is listening in his stethoscope, measuring the temperature, and handing out "pills" and "medicine". Any aftertaste is to be washed down with lots of ice water. He is then "vaccinated" with three coloured stripes on the arm and handed to the barber.

Barber cuts with his scissors, soaps in with his broom and shaves with his great razor. If the baptismal candidate complains, he gets an extra round with soapy water! After this treatment, the barber gently pushes the candidate into the water basin - or makes sure he is showered with several buckets of water. He must ensure that the newly baptized is thoroughly washed.

The newly baptized are entitled to look through the “astronomical telescope/binoculars” and see the red Equator line (i.e., that is painted on the bottle bottom). Rub the bottle with sooty cork, so that the candidate gets apparent "rings" around the eyes after seeing in the binoculars.

People, who for various reasons cannot or don’t want to go through the crossing ceremony, can negotiate with King Neptune to be spared - for a suitable "replacement" like a gift to the ship club or a significant contribution to the evening celebration.

Crossing the Line Certificates will be presented by the bishop along with some well-chosen words. Each of the baptized should be given a suitable maritime nickname - e.g., fish names, with the addition of "characteristic" features and notes that describe why the candidate has been given this nickname.

REMOVAL

When all are baptized, it is time for parting with King Neptune and his entourage. The King thanks and says that the journey back to "The big deep of Equator" will take place through the anchor cross. He notes that baptism is approved, but he is in great doubt since the treatment of the candidates was significantly milder than tradition dictates.

BAPTISM CELEBRATION

In the evening, there can be a baptism party with entertainment, singing, stories, contests, dining etc.

Thanks to the Norwegian Maritime Authority for letting us use the guidance on how to do the ceremony.