Here is a non-inclusive list of Italian superstitions so that you dont put a foot wrong during your next visit: The Evil Eye is one of the most ancient superstitions in Italy. Italian men, knowing what must be protected at all costs, may tap their testicles, known as tocca palle. Italian Wedding Superstitions at the Reception. These are superstition. Nuns crossing your path (or is this only for school children?). STARTING THE YEAR WITH LENTILS. Traditionally, when the sick were on their deathbeds a priest would come to receive their final confessions. There are Italian good luck charms ridden throughout these stories, too. This superstition has religious roots. 10 Italian Wedding Traditions - The Proud Italian As you might know, during the last supper, Jesus was sitting with 13 people, including Judas Iscariot--who doesn't need any introductions. After the wedding, the bride and groom will often accept gifts and give out some wedding favors to thank those who attended. In addition to being worn as jewelry, cornicelli are sometimes hung from the rearview mirrors of cars (based on the older custom of using them to protect draft horses), and in houses. Available on Amazon. We share a vivid picture of life in Italy in our first-ever book. In Arabic, it is a man in the gallows, and in Roman, it spells out . 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. Some say the superstition has a Christian origin from the Bible story where Peter denied that he knew Jesus three times before the cock crowed. You are in deaths wake and soon people might be attending your funeral. See how our customers love this feature here. There are plenty of strange Italian superstitions, irrational beliefs and practices that all aim to ward off bad luck. Although many claim the amulet represents one of the horns of the devil, the Cornopredates Christianity by thousands of years. Planning a trip? In Italy, its also customary when passing the salt to place it on the table first before handing it over. How do you get rid of them? Soy Good! Top 10 Italian superstitions - Nemo.Guide It is considered unlucky as some associate this gesture with death. 11. We hope that this brief guide on Italian restaurants can help you decide where to eat! "In bocca al lupo". In both the modern and traditional Italian weddings, a white dress is preserved only for the bride. The number of sugared almonds should be odd. All cultures attribute great power to the human eye. For Italians, rather than wood, they say 'tocca ferro' which means 'touch iron. Driving in Italy: All You Need to Know about Driving in This Prestigious Country, Cross-border Car Rental Booklet: From Italy To Other Countries. Like many countries, Italy has its fair share of wacky traditions and superstitions. The number 17 is considered unlucky. 5) The number 17. This has to do with how it is written. medianet_height = "250";
Never have your hair cut during the new moon. Black cats. A hat on the bed is associated with eternal rest and death! With that in mind, be sure to stay away from the number 17. I will never give away, trade or sell your email address. Your email address will not be published. This one is so silly but Italian really believes it. It is considered unlucky as some associate this gesture with death. Also, dont forget to wear red undergarments, as this too will bring you luck in the coming year. The legend decress if a woman passes through the Crick Stone seven times she will soon fall pregnant. The groom will often carry a small piece of iron in his pocket to fend off evil spirits. A toast is always done with champagne or wine. Whoever opened an umbrella in the house did not pay respect to the Sun God and so would risk bringing misfortune to their family. Vediamole insieme! 7 Italian Wedding Superstitions Explained You can unsubscribe at any time. If youre single and you see someone sweeping the floor, make a run for it. Speaking of which, Northern superstitions regarding weddings are a little more earthly: in Veneto, the future . Every region seems to have its version of the Wickedness Eye, however, some take it more seriously than others. "Little horn" redirects here. As a result, the maid of honor and the best man play an even more important role in Italian weddings. As a reply, avoid saying 'prego' but say 'crepi' instead, which means 'may the wolf die'. 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. The ancient Romans knew well Cernunnos, the hornedCeltic god of fertility, life, animals, wealth, and the underworld. (Lets have a look at them!). Traditional Italian clothing isnt that popular nowadays, but they still rock in certain parts of Italy. This conception may have begun as a trick to motivate people to handle the previously expensive goods with care. Both the bride and the groom should go the extra mile to bring luck to the wedding. According to Italian superstition, you should never wish someone buon compleanno or tanti auguri (this is how Italians say for happy birthday), before their actual birthday. The ferro in the saying stands for ferro di cavallo (horseshoe) which in the past was believed to ward off the devil, witches, and evil spirits. And much like it is in other cultures, it is extremely frowned upon for guests to wear white to another's wedding. Because its connected to the Goddess of Fertility, it shows abundance and luck, especially pertaining to gambling. Here is a non-inclusive list of Italian superstitions so that you don't put a foot wrong during your next visit: The Evil Eye . Green for luck: Italian brides used to wear green on the night before the wedding, which symbolizes both good luck and fertility. However these superstitions were probably through 50 years ago certainly not now. If you are a single woman with hopes of meeting your Principe Azzurro (Prince Charming), be careful around brooms! Your email address will not be published. A wedding is a critical piece of that culture. The cornucopia became a symbol of fertility and the earth after Zeus broke a horn from a goat. 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! If you are walking outside and a pigeon poops on your head, it is a sign of good luck in Italy. Learn how your comment data is processed. Every region seems to have their own version of the Evil Eye, but some take it more seriously than others. Walk around it, in front of it, behind it, but not under. Crazy, right? We wouldnt want your next trip to Italy to be cursed by the evil eye calledMalocchio! Another Italian tradition is to eat lentils (lenticchie, in Italian) on New Years Eve and January 1st. Tuscan Travelers Tales Happy New Year in Florence, Francescas Footprints A Student Finally Learns Something Important. According to Italian traditions, its customary to eat lentils after the clock strikes 12:00. Curious on how to make lentil soup? and other Italian superstitions to beware of - The Local Italy Likewise, never sweep over the feet of an unmarried person, or they will never marry. Most couples go for 5, which represents five important aspects. From magic mice to hungry wolves, take a look at 10 of our favourite bizarre Italian superstitions and traditions. Just as some Western airlines avoid including the 13th row on planes, you might find number 17 omitted in Italian planes, street numbering, hotel floors and so on, so . Putting the bread upside down was disrespectful for the cross not the bread. medianet_versionId = "3111299";
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This superstition has its roots in religion and comes from the Last Supper, when Jesus traitor, Judas Iscariot, was the 13th and final person to be seated. Other unlucky items to keep off the bed are clothes hangers, hairbrushes, and shoes (of course the last is a hygiene issue, too). While jealousy exists in all cultures, Malacchio is a curse that can be put on a person without even meaning to. 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. The malocchio (evil eye) is the Italian superstition that even just a look, especially if caused by jealousy and envy, can bring harm to those it is aimed at. In his essay on Italian superstitions, Di Nola argued that the superstition about Tuesday may stem from the fact that in Roman times, this was the day of the God of War, which in popular lore has become the day of discord and enmity, and so is one ill-suited to marriage. Nowadays many superstitions have lost (almost) any contact with religion but theyve become a significant part of the culture and form the basis of many Italian life rules. Growing up, you may not have been allowed to have a pet bird in your house. These are; health, wealth, happiness, fertility, and long life- in no particular order. The Maid of Honor and Best Man. In a well-known tale, 12 gods were invited to dine at Valhalla, a magnificent banquet hall in Asgard, the . 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! Dont start a journey, new project or get married on a Friday or a Tuesday. It is, after all, representative of new life. See how our customers love this feature here. medianet_width = "600";
Many countries think the number 13 is unlucky. The use of the Corno, or Devils Horn, is a curse of impotency or of the cuckold. Let me know using thecomments section below or join me on social media to start a conversation. In Latin, VIXI means 'I have lived', implying death. Rain on a wedding day is good luck in Italian superstition. According to tradition, when priestsvisited the dying to give them their last rights, theywould remove their hat and put it on the bed. In villages in Italy, there were often designated people made to perform the rituals. A bed should never face the door because it replicate the position of a coffin in a church. among descendants of Italian immigrants[who?] Wonder why there are no air conditioners in Italy? Read our article '6 Interesting Facts About Olive Oil.'. Lentils resemble the shape of a 'coin' and therefore serves as a reminder of money. Exorcising the home when it is first built or moved into is a Sicilian superstition that is still somewhat used today. Its common for people moving into a new home-especially newlywedsto rid evil spirits and bless their home by performing certain rituals, such as sprinkling salt in the corners of all the rooms. guaranteed, "La Befana". When it comes to shaking hands, Italians consider it bad luck to cross their arms when shaking someones hand. The presence of a bird in the house (either as a pet dog or accidentally) brings rotten luck. The above wedding traditions shed light on some of the basic values and aspects of Italian culture. On the other hand, the bride will make a small rip/tear a piece of her veil to welcome good luck. This is just a sample of the many unique Italian traditions and superstitions. As a native English speaker who learned Italian as an adult, I know what its like to feel hopeless and lack the confidence to speak. When composed making use of Arabic numerals, 17 is still considered unfortunate because it appears like a guy hanging from a gallows. If you spill white wine at the table, wet your fingers and swab some behind everyones ear. 17 Weird Italian Superstitions Italians ACTUALLY Live By In the U.S., people will knock on wood to avoid tempting fate. For many, this is still a way of life that occurs daily. The number 13 is also associated with the Goddess of Fertility and the lunar cycles. Finding a button on the ground: a new friendship is on the horizon. About the etimology and general information about superstitions look here, here, here, here and here. If you are single, be careful when a friend or family member clean the house in your presence. 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. Join Intrepid Italian here and start learning today! A loaf of bread must always be placed on a table, facing up according to Italian traditions. Sometimes, if money were scarce, this would be the primary technique to ridding the body of sickness or curses. I heard it means once again but I dont get the point of how the translation works out. Legends and superstitions have always accompanied the history of spices, but curiously some survived right until the 1800s. Egg Magic, Folklore and Superstitions - Learn Religions Passing each other the salt hand to hand (without putting it down on the table) will lead to imminent fight between the two. Tuesday and Friday are, in Italian superstition, two days that should be avoided for celebrating marriages. In fact, it's actually a lucky number. It reminds us that were part of a larger self. Learn how your comment data is processed. Weve done the research! Though seeing a black cat is a widely known omen of bad luck, hearing a cat sneeze is one that is extremely lucky. Although 13 is considered fortunate, taking a seat to a table with 12 others is a sick prophecy. Dont follow a hearse that isnt carrying a coffin. I break everything down in such a way that it clicks and just makes sense. "Topolino dei denti". The word salario, meaning salary, is derived from sale, meaning salt. Also, various other unlucky things to deflect the bed are garments hangers, hairbrushes, as well as shoes (certainly the last is a health concern, also). Italian Life Rules - Superstitions, Familiar and Strange Seventeen in Roman numerals is XVII - an anagram of VIXI. Beware of Friday 17th. When youre in Italy, you should be careful when pouring olive oil on your salad, you dont want to be cursed by spilling it! When home remedies did not function and also modern medication was not an option (from either lack of money or language), some areas have the services of a man or lady learned old practices, bordering on witchcraft. If you are Italian, its most likely a thing you grew up with but may not know a lot of information on them. 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. Some of them include: jinxing gestures (like le corna the horns find out more about this in my guide to Italian gestures), carrying lucky charms and amulets like the cornetto, scratching genitalia, keeping red chilli peppers at your doorstep, and saying in bocca al lupo to wish someone good luck. In certain regions, the newlyweds break a glass vase or porcelain dish. Behind Italian wedding superstitions and customs - Como In Style Required fields are marked *. Some of us grew up that it is a sign of good luck if a black cat crosses your path. Italy Fertility Rate 1950-2023 | MacroTrends So, those in more traditional lines of work in Italy may still follow this particular superstition more carefully than others. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Why? Copyright 2020 QEEQ.COM. With that in mind, be sure to stay away from the number 17. Southern Italians, Sardinians and Sicilians, mostly of the older generation, still mix folk medicine and ancient superstitions. 1. 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. This tablet was handwritten, and for its length, that is quite a feat. Michele creates language learning guides and courses for travel. The priest would remove his hat and set it on the bed so that he could put on the vestments.
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