Hi guys! Get prepared to improve your knowledge about Italian traditions and superstitions!
To study Italian language doens’t mean to study only its grammar and pronunciation. It means to understand its culture and lifestyle. With the post of today I want to teach you something that goes back in time. Something that will let you understand better our gestures: Italian traditions and superstitions!
1. Number 17…what a bad luck!
Have you ever noticed that some hotels in Italy don’t have a 17th floor and some airplanes don’t have the 17 on their seat? It’s because this number is considered unlucky. The Roman number for 17 is XVII, but the anagram of it can be VIXI that means “I have lived,” (and now I’m dead!!) a symbol that’s placed on ancient tombstones and associated with death.
2. Don’t place a loaf of bread up-side-down
My mother used to scream when one of us put a loaf of bread up-side down… I know it could sound ridiculous, but according to an Italian tradition, a loaf of bread must always be placed facing up. This superstition is based on an ancient tradition created by bakers: they used to put up-side down the bread intended for the executioner as a sign of contempt.
3. Don’t put a hat on your bed
4. Never in 13 at a dinner table
A dinner table can be composed by 12 or 14 people… never 13 people, never in Italy! 13 people around the table at mealtime is considered a bad luck sign, as there were 13 people at the Last Supper of Jesus and one of them was also a traitor…
5 . Touch iron to avoid back luck
In the U.S., people will knock on wood to avoid bad luck . In Italy, it’s common for people to “toccare ferro” that means to touch iron. “Toccare ferro” it an abbreviation of “Toccare ferro di cavallo” that means to touch horseshoe. you know why? In the In Middle Ages people used to nail an horseshoe at the door to keep away witches.
6. Eat plenty of lentils on New Year’s Eve
7. Horn-shaped pendant as a gift!
In Italy but above in south Italy we use to give a horn – shaped pendant (translated as CORNO OR CORNICELLO) to wish good luck ! In ancient times people use to hang a horn at the door as a symbol of fertility and from time to time it has assumed many meanings such as an amulet against devil- eyes, against bad luck but the most important thing is that you have to receive it and not buy it by yourself.
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