What Italian superstitions do you know?
I’ll get you started: Black cats in Italy can bring good or bad luck, depending on where you are. And there are many others.
Below, I am discussing this topic further. You’ll learn:
- Where all the superstitions stem from
- The lucky (or unlucky) 13 and XVII
- Evil Spirits and Malocchio
- The Significance of Olive Oil
- Sighting black cats can bring misfortune or good luck
- Umbrellas should only be opened outside the house
- You have to toast with a straight face, or else…
- Single women should be careful around brooms
- Italians eat Lentils on New Year’s Eve
- Protective Charms are a must-have
Key Takeaways
- Italian superstitions have deep roots, often tied to ancient beliefs and cultural traditions that have evolved over centuries.
- Numbers, animals, and everyday objects carry significant meanings, with 13 and black cats seen as lucky or unlucky depending on context.
- Practices such as using olive oil and carrying protective charms blend everyday life with ancient customs to ward off evil and attract good fortune.
- Celebratory rituals, from toasting with a straight face to eating lentils on New Year’s Eve, are imbued with intentions of luck, protection, and prosperity.
The Origins of Italian Superstitions
Italian superstitions have deep roots in the Middle Ages, filled with folklore and supernatural beliefs.
Many of these beliefs trace back to ancient Rome, where actions like opening an umbrella indoors were thought to disrespect the Sun God. These ties to ancient traditions give these superstitions a rich historical background.
Regional customs have also shaped these beliefs. For example, placing hats on beds was considered unlucky, stemming from the practices of doctors and priests during house calls. Similarly, spilling salt was believed to bring financial trouble because of its historical value. These customs show just how entrenched superstitions are in Italian culture.
These beliefs have permeated various aspects of Italian life, and still hold sway among Italians today, reminiscent of the influence of the Roman Empire.
The Power of Lucky Numbers
In superstitions across Italy, numbers hold substantial importance.
The number 13, for instance, has a dual personality. While it is traditionally considered a lucky number, bringing good fortune, it can also carry negative connotations. Take The Last Supper for example, Italians believe that dining with 13 people will lead to the death of one diner within a year, adding an ominous undertone to the otherwise lucky 13.
Contrasting with the number 13, the number 17 is universally considered unlucky in Italy. The Roman numeral for 17, XVII, can be rearranged into the word ‘VIXI’, which loosely translates to ‘I have lived’. This phrase is often found on tombstones, associating the number 17 with death and hence, bad luck.
In Italian culture, these beliefs about numbers are deeply entrenched. They serve as a reminder of how past events and interpretations have shaped the superstitions that many Italians still hold dear.
It’s a fascinating example of how much cultures, history, and superstition intertwine in everyday life.
Evil Spirits and the Evil Eye
A belief in the supernatural is a recurring theme in Italian superstitions. The evil eye, known as Malocchio, is one such belief. It’s thought to be a curse cast by a malevolent glare, often due to envy, and is one of many evil spirits feared in Italian culture.
To protect against the evil eye and misfortune, Italians use amulets like the little horn or cornicello and gestures such as the mano cornuta.
The cornicello, a popular amulet, has a history of encouraging fertility and virility. Its red color and phallic design connect fertility through the deity Priapus, while its materials link to Luna and Venus, ancient goddesses associated with silver and red coral, respectively.
These protective rituals are more than mere customs. They reflect the resilience and creativity of Italians in combating negative influences, reinforcing the strength and depth of these cultural beliefs.
LEARN MORE in my dedicated post about Malocchio – The Italian Evil Eye.
-Luca
Olive Oil: A Symbol of Prosperity and Luck
In Italian superstitions, olive oil—considered valuable in ancient times—signifies prosperity and luck.
It was once believed that spilling olive oil could upset the gods of prosperity, incurring their wrath and leading to misfortune.
On the other hand, offering olive oil as a gift transfers good fortune and well-being. This is a widespread practice at various events, often symbolized by custom terracotta bottles. The significance of olive oil extends beyond its physical attributes to embody the positive energies of wealth and abundance.
Interestingly, there are also ways to counteract the misfortune caused by spilling olive oil. Italians may toss a pinch over the left shoulder or dab some behind each ear to ward off potential bad luck. This illustrates the dynamic nature of these beliefs and how they continue to evolve.
Black Cats: Misfortune or Magic?
In Italy, black cats are perceived through a dichotomy of beliefs. In some regions, black cats are seen as harbingers of misfortune; in others, they are celebrated as symbols of good fortune.
The belief that black cats are bringers of bad luck dates back to the Middle Ages. Their sudden appearance was often blamed for startling horses and causing accidents, leading to an association with evil.
Black cats are significant in Italian superstitions, whether regarded as magical beings or bearers of misfortune. These superstitions highlight the diverse beliefs across regions and how they have evolved through history.
Umbrellas and Bad Omens
In Italian superstitions, umbrellas—mundane objects for most—hold significant implications. Opening an umbrella indoors is seen as a bad omen, a belief rooted in ancient Roman culture. It was seen as disrespect to the Sun God, an act that could invite misfortune.
Historically, the impoverished used umbrellas to block holes in their roofs. Opening one indoors symbolized poverty and was believed to lead to financial troubles. This belief persists in contemporary Italian culture, showing how popular belief can withstand the test of time.
In Italy, umbrellas are ordinary household items, but they gain significant cultural significance due to superstitions surrounding them, transforming them from mundane objects into symbols with deep meaning.
Toasting Traditions: Make Eye Contact and Avoid Poison
While toasting is a universal social practice, it has unique meanings in Italy. Making eye contact during toasts is crucial to honesty and establishing trust among participants.
This tradition has roots in the Middle Ages. It was developed to prevent poisoning during social gatherings, and practices like clinking glasses and pouring wine into each other’s glasses were developed to ensure that no poison was present in the wine.
The sediment in the wine made it an effective medium for concealing poison, necessitating meticulous toasting etiquette to detect and deter poisoning attempts.
These toasting traditions offer intriguing insights into the social dynamics of the past, reflecting the values of trust and camaraderie that continue to be prized in Italian culture.
Brooms and Single Women: A Cautionary Tale
In superstitions in Italy, brooms transcend their utilitarian function, especially those related to single women. It’s considered bad luck for single women if a broom comes near their feet or someone sweeps over them, leading to an increased chance of never getting married.
This belief is rooted in the notion that a woman who allows a broom to touch her feet or lets a broom sweep over her feet is perceived as lacking proficiency in household chores.
These skills are directly tied to a woman’s marriage prospects, implying that being adept at domestic tasks is crucial for a woman to be considered a desirable future wife.
These superstitions offer a window into societal norms and expectations, providing an intriguing perspective on how cultural beliefs can reflect and reinforce societal values.
New Year’s Eve Lentils for Wealth and Good Fortune
A unique tradition marks New Year’s Eve in Italy: consuming lentils when the clock strikes midnight.
This custom dates back to ancient Roman times and is believed to bring wealth and prosperity in the upcoming year. The shape of lentils, similar to coins, symbolizes growing wealth as they cook and expand.
The belief goes that the more lentils you consume, the greater the wealth, good luck, and prosperity you will enjoy in the upcoming year. Traditional dishes like ‘Lenticchie con cotechino’, made of lentils and a slow-cooked sausage, are staples at New Year’s Eve dinners.
This tradition perfectly captures the essence of Italian superstitions, combining delicious food with symbolic rituals to welcome a new and prosperous year.
Protective Charms: Cornicello and Iron Knocking
Protective charms are of paramount importance within the context of Italian superstitions. Some famous Italian talismans used to ward off the evil eye and misfortune include:
- The cornicello, or cornetto, which is shaped like a horn or a chili pepper and symbolizes strength and fertility
- The mano cornuta, which is a hand gesture made by extending the index and pinky fingers while holding the other fingers down with the thumb
- The cimaruta, which is a charm in the shape of a sprig of rue, with various symbols representing protection and good luck
These charms, considered lucky, are believed to bring protection and good fortune to those who possess them.
Predominantly worn by men in Southern Italy or people of Italian descent globally, cornicelli are displayed as jewelry or hung in cars or homes to deter negative influences and attract prosperity. Alongside the cornicello, the custom of touching iron, or ‘tocca ferro’, is a popular practice to avert bad luck, akin to knocking on wood in English-speaking countries.
These protective charms and customs are fascinating examples of how Italians harness symbolic objects and rituals to create a sense of safety and ward off negative energy. They reflect the enduring power of belief and the human desire for protection and prosperity.
Summary
From lucky numbers to protective charms, Italian superstitions provide a fascinating look into the country’s cultural heritage.
Rooted in history and cultural practices, these beliefs still influence daily life in Italy, adding charm and intrigue. All these traditions also showcase the resilience and creativity of the Italian spirit, highlighting the enduring power of belief and cultural evolution.
