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. Soy Good! Southern Italians, Sardinians and Sicilians, mostly of the older generation, still mix folk medicine and ancient superstitions. We are located within the Italian Alps, with a Hotel Spa, relaxing Cigar Lounge and an Italian Restaurant. 5) The number 17 . STARTING THE YEAR WITH LENTILS. These are; health, wealth, happiness, fertility, and long life- in no particular order. Then read our blog post on Italian Lentil Recipe. You know you will hear about it from family or friends if a Friday falls on the 13th of the month! 17 Weird Italian Superstitions Italians ACTUALLY Live By. This superstition has religious roots. If you spill white wine at the table, wet your fingers and swab some behind everyones ear. Italian superstitions of rain believe that it is a "raining down of luck on your future together," and could grow "an abundance of love.". The number of sugared almonds should be odd. Some are superstitions, others are meant to bring luck. 13 Most Popular Symbols of Good Luck in Italy - This Way To Italy If you give a gift of a new wallet, always put at least a coin in it. Surprisingly, both beliefs are held in Italyseeing a black cat is bad karma, but if it sneezes, good fortune is on its way. (Lets have a look at them!). A bottle of homemade wine and Sambuca are often served as evening drinks. 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. Also, be sure look fellow toasters in the eye when clinking glasses and dont slip up by forgetting to take a sip before setting your drink down, otherwise you will have seven years of bad sex. Thus, a hats temporary resting place is associated with eternal rest, a thought that keeps Italians from sleeping peacefully. Youll finally be able to connect with your Italian partner, speak to your relatives and enjoy authentic travel experiences in Italy that youve always dreamed of, and so much more. 7. Quick Navigation. When your nose itches, its either pugni o baci, punches or kisses. Happy New Year and Superstitions Italian Style - iItaly.org Italian Life Rules - Superstitions, Familiar and Strange Here are 15 Italian superstitions that you need to know or at least be aware of. Southern Italians, Sardinians and also Sicilians, primarily of the older generation, still blend herbal remedies and old superstitious notions. If it happens, however, throw a bit of salt over each shoulder or rub a decrease of oil behind each ear. It is impolite to turn the bread up-side-down or to stick a knife into a loaf of bread. Pineapple core can be quite tough so if you want to make it . If knives are on your registry, just give the gift giver a penny . Date: 11 Feb, 2021. In fact, it's actually a lucky number. It is believed that rain symbolizes fertility and cleansing. Superstitions, religiosity and secularization: an analysis of the The priest would remove his hat as well as set it on the bed to make sure that he might place on the vestments. 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. With Title Near, Naples Shed Superstition and Starts to Believe - The Most couples go for 5, which represents five important aspects. 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! Sometimes, if money were scarce, this would be the primary technique to ridding the body of sickness or curses. When it comes to attracting good luck and appeasing the goddess of fortune, there are a couple of beliefs linked to Italian weddings. 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! A wedding is a critical piece of that culture. Exorcising the home when it is first built or moved into is a Sicilian superstition that is still somewhat used today. 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. Not only is pineapple a healthy choice as a snack, bromelain is an anti-inflammatory agent that can boost fertility. Why? If you offer a gift of a brand-new wallet, constantly placed a minimum of a coin in it. When you're feeling under the weather, chances are you want to take a nice hot bath to soothe your pain. Learn more about Italian birthday traditions here. Because its connected to the Goddess of Fertility, it shows abundance and luck, especially pertaining to gambling. I break everything down in such a way that it clicks and just makes sense. There are Italian good luck charms ridden throughout these stories, too. Having 13 people around the table at mealtime is considered bad luck, as there were 13 people at the Last Supper. 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. They feel it is a very unlucky number although I really couldnt figure out why. Want my "9 Steps to Reach Fluency Faster" playbook? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Every culture has its own superstitions passed down from generation to generation. The expression In bocca al lupo literally means into the wolfs mouth to which, according to custom, one must always reply with Crepi il lupo (may the wolf die). Paints of birds additionally stay clear of. Mano means "hand" and corno means "horn. NAPLES, Italy The surveillance room at the Vesuvius Observatory, the oldest volcanology institute in the world, is barely a mile from the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona: a few . The Surprising Origins of 9 Common Superstitions | Live Science Some say that the maid of honor and best man should be . Italian Food Rules by Ann Reavis is available now. Eggs are magical and mystical!. Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue and a silver sixpence in her shoe. The first dance, Tarantella couple dance, and the legendary chicken dance represent a crucial part of the Italian traditions. Both the bride and the groom should go the extra mile to bring luck to the wedding. I read somewhere that this superstition refers to the Last Supper as there were 13 people at the table; twelve Apostles and Jesus. Never trim toe as well as fingernails on Thursday. Please leave a comment if you know of one that needs to be added to the list. If you look closely, youll be able to find them in your everyday life! A toast is always done with champagne or wine. Its everyones worst nightmare when they get invited to a wedding, and not know the appropriate dress code. Voodoo, curses, witchcraft. Another thing to avoid is having thirteen people sitting at a table! Wonder why there are no air conditioners in Italy? What does it mean when they say in italian ari facce? [5], A regionally popular amulet, they are most often worn by Italian men in Southern Italy, and especially in the region of Campania, as well as Lazio, Apulia, Basilicata and to a lesser extent in Sicily and Calabria. Be careful though! Dreaming of someone dying and you will have added ten years to their life. In fact, we were in San Gimignano and it actually happened to Gary while we were eating gelato in a piazza. Thats because they dont want the umbrella to accidentally pop open inside the house! Tuscan Travelers Tales Happy New Year in Florence, Francescas Footprints A Student Finally Learns Something Important. Others see them as a positive omen and as bringers of good luck. If you want to protect yourself against the evil-eye, carry a corincello charm around with you at all times. More often, rice or pasta is showered on the new couples as they depart the church. The overall text curses his lovers rivals and condemns them never to be more successful than him. See how our customers love this feature here. Weve done the research! Its a tradition that helps form a solid foundation from which families and societies emerge. Like what you see? There are plenty of strange Italian superstitions, irrational beliefs and practices that all aim to ward off bad luck. Friday the 17th. Common traditional Italian cuisines include but are not limited to Bruschetta, Hot Berry Tarts, Chicken dish, and Ravioli. Your email address will not be published. Whatever you do, try not to spill any salt or olive oil as it is considered very bad luck. Your Hat. If youre single and you see someone sweeping the floor, make a run for it. Why not stay at our Albergo Miramonti? Due to their association with witchcraft, black cats are often seen as bad luck by many cultures around the world. Putting the bread upside down was disrespectful for the cross not the bread. Every region seems to have their own version of the Evil Eye, but some take it more seriously than others. . According to Italian traditions, however, taking a bath when you're sick will only make you sicker as will going outside with wet hair. Dont follow a hearse that isnt carrying a coffin. Dont spill salt or olive oil for anxiety of bad luck. Later in time, the term superstio was applied to the outlawed religious cults in the Roman Empire. 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!