Yugoslavia year 1986 stamps Flying Dutchman

Yugoslavia year 1986 stamps Flying Dutchman MNH**

The Flying Dutchman is a legendary ghost ship that is said to roam the seas, particularly near the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. According to maritime folklore, the ship is doomed to sail the oceans indefinitely, unable to make port or find rest.

The legend of the Flying Dutchman has various versions, but the most common tale revolves around a Dutch captain named Hendrik van der Decken, or sometimes simply Van der Decken, who was determined to round the Cape of Good Hope during a fierce storm despite warnings from his crew. It is said that he swore to press on even if it meant sailing until Doomsday. In some versions of the story, he even swore to the devil himself.

As punishment for his hubris and defiance of the natural order, the ship and its crew were cursed to wander the seas forever, never finding solace or redemption. Sightings of the Flying Dutchman are often considered omens of doom or bad luck among sailors.

The legend of the Flying Dutchman has been the subject of numerous works of literature, music, and art over the centuries, including Richard Wagner’s opera “Der fliegende Holländer” (The Flying Dutchman). It has captured the imagination of people around the world and continues to be a popular theme in popular culture.