We're sure you've heard the phrase 'touch wood' or 'knock on wood' to ward off bad luck or to avoid jinxing yourself. Singles, dont let a broom touch your feet when someone is cleaning the floors. Dreaming of someone dying and you will have added ten years to their life. "In bocca al lupo". Date: 11 Feb, 2021. Weve done the research! The first comes from ancient Rome, where umbrellas were used to protect against rain and sun. Copyright - Our Italian Journey Blog 2015, 15 Italian Superstitions You Need to Know, So there you have it, fifteen Italian superstitions you need to know. Most couples go for 5, which represents five important aspects. Its an imprint of a history that defines our past. Malocchio is a curse cast due to someone's envy or jealousy against you, causing bad luck. Seeing a spider at night: a sure sign of monetary income. Thats because they dont want the umbrella to accidentally pop open inside the house! Italians sure have an original way to wish you good luck! Crossing arms when shaking hands in a group. Flowery wishes: Italian brides have always walked down the aisle with a bouquet of flowers. However, in Italy, it's actually the opposite. Planning a trip? Soy Good! Every region seems to have its version of the Wickedness Eye, however, some take it more seriously than others. among descendants of Italian immigrants[who?] 7. However, it was more prevalent in past generations for newlyweds. You will never find an Italian putting his or her hat down on a bed. Learn the local language with my unique 80/20 method. Sugared almonds and Italian Cookies are also common. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
. Or that in France its actually good luck to step in dog poop with your left foot? Exorcising the home when it is first built or moved into is a Sicilian superstition that is still somewhat used today. From The Evil Eye to the number 17, understanding and partaking in this way of life could change the way you look at the world. Paintings of birds are also be avoided. From magic mice to hungry wolves, take a look at 10 of our favourite bizarre Italian superstitions and traditions. When it comes to shaking hands, Italians consider it bad luck to cross their arms when shaking someones hand. The fear that the eye could carry negative influences has been associated from time to time over the centuries with cross-eyed people, gypsies, red-haired people, men who wore dark glasses, etc., often creating discrimination and racist prejudices. Although 13 is considered lucky, sitting down to a table with 12 others is an ill omen. Bread is thought about a staple of life, therefore, every preventative measure is taken to stop cursing the supply. For more tips, visit my guide on Italian culture to learn 18 weird things that Italian do that no one warns you about. For Italians, it is essential to keep an umbrella holder on the doorstep, outside the house. Theres no limitation to what type of gifts to offer the newly married couples. In the ancient times and some bakers to do, bakers will cut across on top of the bread to facilitate levitation , and also to bless the bread so to say. When 17 is written using Roman numerals XVII, it can be rearranged to spell the Roman word VIXI meaning I have lived and is found on ancient tombstones, thus tempting death. Both the bride and the groom should go the extra mile to bring luck to the wedding. If you offer a gift of a brand-new wallet, constantly placed a minimum of a coin in it. Cin cin! or (alla) salute!, is what you say in Italian when making a toast. These items were very expensive way back when and it is said that spilling them would bring bad luck. You can't drink cold beverages because they will give you cramps. A bed should never face the door because it replicate the position of a coffin in a church. [3] The evil eye is believed to harm nursing mothers and their babies, bearing fruit trees, milking animals, and the sperm of men - the forces of generation. In Latin, VIXI means 'I have lived', implying death. In Italy, this is true especially when it crosses your path! There are a lot of superstitions, and many of us have even a personal one: I think for example about those people who always wear the same piece of clothing whenever they have to take a test - such as a t-shirt, socks or trousers, or a certain accessory, such as a bracelet, a ring or a necklace. Later in time, the term superstio was applied to the outlawed religious cults in the Roman Empire. . Did you know that in Brazil its bad luck to let your wallet or purse hit the floor, as it means youll lose money? The best part is that you have lifetime access so you learn anytime, anywhere and on any device. When youre in Italy, you should be careful when pouring olive oil on your salad, you dont want to be cursed by spilling it! Powerful Toppers: What is Pomodoro Sauce? For Italians, rather than wood, they say 'tocca ferro' which means 'touch iron. No matter what your level is, there is an Intrepid Italian course for you, including: You can join 1, 2, or all 3 courses, its entirely up to you. Salt was extremely expensive in the inner part of Italy. The amulet is also sometimes referred to as the Italian horn. Even if you don't believe in the superstition, lentils are super healthy legumes that provide a lot of protein and fibre into your system. Your Hat. [4][5], The cornicello is also linked to Greek and Roman mythology. In fact, despite a long and deep Catholic tradition, certain pagan rituals in Italy have persisted over time, shaping well-known customs that all Italians, whether they believe in them or not, recognize. Lentils resemble the shape of a 'coin' and therefore serves as a reminder of money. These are; health, wealth, happiness, fertility, and long life- in no particular order. Surprisingly, both beliefs are held in Italyseeing a black cat is bad karma, but if it sneezes, good fortune is on its way. Did you know that if you are walking outside and a pigeon poops on your head, it is a sign of good luck in Italy? Likewise, never sweep over the feet of an unmarried person, or they will never marry. Tacca ferro means touch iron. Just like the phrase, knock on wood, the Italian version of this is to knock on iron.. This means youll very rarely find the number 17 on Italian planes, streets, or in hotels, just to give a few examples. Every region seems to have its version of the Wickedness Eye, however, some take it more seriously than . There are Italian good luck charms ridden throughout these stories, too. In Arabic, it is a man in the gallows, and in Roman, it spells out I have lived, which was on ancient tombstones. One thing they seem to have in common is that the Evil Eye is caused by jealousy and envy. There are plenty of strange Italian superstitions, irrational beliefs and practices that all aim to ward off bad luck. This belief likely originates from the fact that the oil was an expensive commodity in the past. Traditional Italian clothing isnt that popular nowadays, but they still rock in certain parts of Italy. Silver, of which it is also often made, is sacred to Luna, goddess of the moon. QEEQ.COM guaranteesthe most competitive car rental deals for your traveland the secret is ourPrice Drop Protectorprogram! Lets be honest, it was probably regarded rather foolish for someone to waste such an pricy product. The Wickedness Eye (Malocchio) The Evil Eye is of the most ancient superstitions in Italy. Curious about olive oil? While lentils might not look like a typical Italian dish, they carry a powerful meaning! Top 10 Italian superstitions By: Wanted in Rome. Chart and table of the Italy fertility rate from 1950 to 2023. Although many claim the amulet represents one of the horns of the devil, the Cornopredates Christianity by thousands of years. So if a black cat crosses the street right in front of you and you dont want to be cursed, slow down, stop and wait for the next car to drive on jinx will hit those other poor drivers! Wedding Drinks. Known throughout Europe, this superstition of upside-down bread will bring bad luck to your family. Because its connected to the Goddess of Fertility, it shows abundance and luck, especially pertaining to gambling. December 2013 No. If you shower with hot water while on your period you will have a heavy flow. I heard it means once again but I dont get the point of how the translation works out. Paints of birds additionally stay clear of. This belief originated in the olden days when a woman who inadvertently touched her feet with a broom was considered to be bad at housework and, consequently, a bad future wife. After the ceremony, as the freshly wed couple are walking out of the church, their guests greet the duo by throwing rice on them to wish fertility onto the couple. Your email address will not be published. It is said that the more you eat the richer youll become, so eat up! Maybe youre wondering, what is the most important tradition in Italy? Have you ever wondered why some hotels in Italy dont have a 17th floor? . We have all seen Italians greet each other with kisses on both cheeks. After 30 days of using Intrepid Italian, if you dont want to celebrate your new-found Italian skills with an Aperol Spritz, you dont have to pay a penny! However, in Italy, 13 is considered a lucky number! Never have your hair cut during the new moon. Italian for Confident Conversations (A2-B2), NEW 30-Day Italian Verbs Challenge (A1-A2), Italian culture to learn 18 weird things that Italian, Intrepid Italian for Advanced Beginners (A2), Italian Culture: 19 Weird Things Italians Do That No One Warns You About, 8 DEADLY mistakes in Italian (& How to Avoid Them), 20 Hilarious Everyday Italian Expressions You Should Use, Romanesco: 25 Cool Roman Dialect Words You Should Use in Rome, 10 Reasons Why Learning Italian Will Change Your Life, 10 Italian Expressions Italians Love Saying, 10 Italian Phrases That Will Instantly Make You Sound more Italian. For the Tasmanian mountain, see, "Perch si crede che il corno porti fortuna? Whoever opened an umbrella in the house did not pay respect to the Sun God and so would risk bringing misfortune to their family. Bomboniereis the Italian word used to describe a wedding favor. I will never give away, trade or sell your email address. It is thought the number brings prosperity and abundant life. Subscribe to my newsletter to receive detailed travel guides, exclusive travel and language learning tips, priority access to giveaways and more! The number 13 may be very unlucky in American culture, but its actually not seen as one of the Sicilian superstitions in Italy. You will never find an Italian putting his or her hat down on a bed. If you spill white wine at the table, wet your fingers and swab some behind everyones ear. An owl sighting is a vision of the spirits of the dead. Though seeing a black cat is a widely known omen of bad luck, hearing a cat sneeze is one that is extremely lucky. If someone brushes over your feet by accident, then youre destined to be single for the rest of your life. 11. Southern Italians, Sardinians and Sicilians, mostly of the older generation, still mix folk medicine and ancient superstitions. Never raise a toast with a glass full of water as it is bad luck. "[1] This gesture is performed with the hand levelled or pointing down, or at least slightly downward, usually with a swivelling or oscillating motion. Not sure if you really needed to know this information but, 3 Iconic Beautiful Italian Sports Cars | Incredible Day, CLICK HERE FOR DISCLAIMER & PRIVACY POLICY. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We match you with expert teachers in over 300 subjects so that you can learn something new through 100% Get her free guide 9 reasons youre not fluentYET & how to fix it! United Nations projections are also included through the year 2100. [2] The shape and colour of the red cornicelli are reminiscent of a chili pepper. Its common to wish the newlyweds, happy life in marriage. It is assumed the number brings success as well as a plentiful life. My approach is different from traditional methods because I teach you the most important 20% of the language right from the beginning so you can start to speak straight away. Passing each other the salt hand to hand (without putting it down on the table) will lead to imminent fight between the two. The twisted phallic red coral, gold or silver amulet (cornicello)is often worn or carried by men to ward off curses on their manliness or mojo. Among the ancient Romans, sprinkling salt on the ruins of conquered cities meant preventing them from flourishing again (as salt makes the soil infertile). medianet_height = "250";
Today a site visitor might be shocked at which superstitious notions are taken seriously and which are taken with a grain of salt, so to speak. 2023 The Proud Italian > Italian-American Heritage Blog, Grate Expectations: The Best Parmesan Cheese Graters of the Year. Thats why, if youre taking a trip to Italy and dont want to be cursed by the malocchio (evil eye), there are a few common Italian superstitions that you need to know or at least be aware of! This also explains why it is common to use the right hand to shake hands, to exchange the sign of peace in church, and why left-handed children in the past were corrected by forcing them to write with their right hand, this is because the left hand was the devils hand. Discover the Top Store-Bought Soy Sauces (Our Reviews), Sweeten Your Life: The Best Honey to Buy (Brands), Spruce Your Deserts With Our 4 Best Lemon Curd Reviews. Your email address will not be published. When it comes to attracting good luck and appeasing the goddess of fortune, there are a couple of beliefs linked to Italian weddings. Associated with the Great Goddess, fertility and the lunar cycles, the number is thought to bring prosperity and life quite the opposite view than that of the western world. 17 Weird Italian Superstitions Italians ACTUALLY Live By. However, its a common practice for the bride and the groom to offer certain wedding favors. Throwing it on the floor or on the table was unlucky because you had to buy it again. If the bristles of a broom touch your feet you will not get married! To many countries all over the world, the number thirteen is considered as bad luck. When it comes to toasting, there are several things that can cause you to have bad luck. From the vast Italian Alps where our Award-Winning Hotel is located, to the sunny South where you can get fresh limoncello. Another Italian tradition is to eat lentils (lenticchie, in Italian) on New Years Eve and January 1st. Before you take the first sip after the toast, dont forget to tap the bottom of your glass on the table! Thank you for your support! This is a two-way process thats not necessarily dependent on the other. When modern medicinal remedies fail, Italian superstition invites a mix of ancient techniques and folk tradition that borders on witchcraft. Their coin-like shape represents money and is, therefore, a symbol of richness and wealth that you wish for the coming year. Michele creates language learning guides and courses for travel. Join Intrepid Italian here and start learning today! If the mirror cracks by itself, on the other hand, it means that the owner may lose a close friend. It is considered unlucky as some associate this gesture with death. The Italian culture has many beliefs passed down from generation to generation and even though many of them may seem absurd to an outsider, they are taken more or less seriously by natives! Italians dislike the number so much that some hotels dont have a 17th level. For the Christians the triangle represented the concept of the Holy Trinity and crossing a ladder meant breaking the sacredness of the Holy Trinity. It is believed that if you or someone else accidentally brushes your feet with a broom while sweeping the floor, you will never get married! If you are a single woman with hopes of meeting your Principe Azzurro (Prince Charming), be careful around brooms! [4] The phallic shape and red color is also a reference to Priapus, a male fertility god. Again, some claim this has a basis in Christianity with the symbol of Christ as the Bread of Life. What was your superstition growing up that your mother or grandmother told you? And if the fall in the birthrate continues at the current annual pace, government figures forecast 1.4 million fewer students aged between three and 18 by 2034, and the closure of many schools . So, if this happens to you, dont panic, something good will probably happen to you! While not out of the ordinary, bridal parties are less common in Italian weddings. And much like it is in other cultures, it is extremely frowned upon for guests to wear white to another's wedding. Eating the core of a pineapple can increase blood flow to your womb and encourage a healthy uterine lining - essential for increasing your chances of implantation. "La Befana". Italians dislike the number a lot that some hotels dont have a 17th level. However, if the hearse bears a body, it isnt in pursuit of another passenger, so you are safe, just like if you pass a hearse driving in the opposite direction. In Neapolitan, it is called curniciello or variants thereof. We hope that this brief guide on Italian restaurants can help you decide where to eat! At the Last Supper Jesus ate with his 12 disciples before one of them, Judas Iscariot, betrayed him. Nguyen Duc Viet / Getty Images. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I read somewhere that this superstition refers to the Last Supper as there were 13 people at the table; twelve Apostles and Jesus. 1. When a new moon appears, the minute you see it say the New Moon Incantation: Benvenuta Luna che mi porti fortuna! Welcome, moon and may you bring me good fortune! This is to be repeated, bowing respectfully at the lunar sliver 13 times with a coin in each hand. In modern times it seems the Friday 13 is starting to lose its charm in Italy, as with the rest of the world. Sicilian curses have been around forever. Italians do not care for the number 17. You see it everywhere, the cornicello charm which looks like a spicy red pepper. Which of these superstitions surprised you the most? Beware of Friday 17th. medianet_crid = "318442627";
The ancient Romans knew well Cernunnos, the horned Celtic god of fertility, life, animals, wealth, and the underworld. Brides can wear a satin bag around their neck, where male guests will drop in some money in exchange for a dance. Despite the western world's belief that the number brings bad luck, Italians relate it to the Great Goddess, fertility, and the moon cycles. Wedding Favors and Gifts. Some believed that bread in fishing boats meant that the whole community would be cursed with no food for long periods of time. It is, after all, representative of new life. 9. The word salario, meaning salary, is derived from sale, meaning salt. After a long day of sightseeing you might be tempted to toss your hat onto your beddont! Its also bad luck to cross arms with anyone as you clink glasses. As a matter of fact, the left side has always been associated with the devil. An Italian superstition says that when you get out of bed you should always place your right foot first and then your left one. You can buy Italian Food Rules by using these links: Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription. The horns of an African eland most resemble the original amulets. Here are some seasonal traditions, beliefs and superstitions from across the country, ranging from the most common, such as eating lentils and wearing red, to rather unusual ones. In some areas in Italy, you can spot hanging garlic and peppers to act as amulets against malocchio - other deterrents also include horseshoes or horn-shaped jewellery.
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