Superstition in Italy is endemic. Everyone, from grandparents to children, knows at least a couple of different superstitions, be they international, or ones particularly close to the family’s heart. It may be the melodramatic countenance of Italians, or our deep faith and spirituality (I don’t mean in a purely religious sense) but superstition is as important (if not more) than religion at times. Why is that? Religion may save our soul, but superstition protects us from those little daily occurrences of bad luck which can be a real nuisance. When considering Italy’s most deeply ingrained superstitions, it would be impossible not to mention Friday the 17th (today!).
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Whilst in some countries, it’s Friday the 13th, in Italy do not try to suggest anything other than Friday the 17th as the unlucky day unless you want to condemn yourself to an unavoidable bout of bad luck.
But where does this tradition/superstition come from? For some, the most convincing theory asserts that the element of bad luck derives from the Roman numerals for 17 (XVII), which when rearranged to VIXI, translate to “I have lived”, therefore “I have died”.
The Pythagoreans already believed that the number 17 was a disgrace in itself, as it lies between 16 and 18 which were considered to be perfect numbers.
Another theory argues that the tradition of bad luck dates back to one of the worst defeats of the Roman army, the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest in the year 9 AD, when three entire legions were wiped out (the XVII, the XVIII and the XIX). Another hypothesis even has Biblical origins. In Genesis (7.11) it says that the Great Flood began on the 17th day of the 2nd month of the 600th year of Noah’s life.
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Do you find all these theories absurd? Or do you think the superstitions themselves are absurd and misguided? Never mind, maybe you’re just not Italian, because as they say in Italy: “Non è vero ma ci credo”, “It’s not true, but I still believe it”.
To make your life easier and to help you avoid those pitfalls of bad luck, and perhaps more importantly, to prevent you from being shouted at by an Italian friend, we’ve compiled a list of some of the most popular and well-established superstitions. These include gestures never to make and sentences never to say; this list might just save your life. Don’t believe us? Have a read!
Propitiatory gestures
First of all you need to know the arsenal of Italian propriety gestures which in theory should protect you from bad luck when something potentially inauspicious happens. What are they? The most common is doing the sign for horns, pointing your index and pinkie towards the ground, preferably behind your back (see cover image). The other is the sign of the cross, which is of course a religious symbol, but in this case it takes on a more profane use and finally, and much less elegant, for men a quick cupping of their privates and for women a quick grab of the left breast should ward off the evil eye.
The Black Cat
A list of the most common and absurd Italian superstitions Black Cat
If a black cat crosses the road, it doesn’t matter if you’re walking, driving, on a train or in a helicopter: STOP AND DO NOT BE THE FIRST TO CROSS ITS PATH. Wait patiently until someone less lucky and more ignorant than you crosses the road.
In medieval times, the black cat fell out of favour following its glorified image in Ancient Egypt to become a symbol of witchcraft and the Devil.
Never walk under a ladder
A list of the most common and absurd Italian superstitions Ladder
Do not dare to walk under a ladder leaning against a wall, no matter what you do. Why? At one time it would have been because this rather unsteady object could have easily fallen, quite literally, onto the heads of passers-by. Today it’s because, well, you never know.
Spilling salt, oil or bread
If you have been unfortunate enough to spill some salt, oil or drop some bread, toss a handful of salt over your left shoulder to get rid of the bad luck. This is reminiscent of the custom to never pass the salt to someone directly at the table; make sure you put the salt pot down on the table so it doesn’t fall!
Pouring water or wine “backhanded”
I.e. with the back of your hand facing the table. They say this is how Judas poured a drink for Jesus. Also, putting a loaf of bread upside down on the table shows a lack of respect for the body of Christ.
Under my umbrella
Opening an umbrella indoors means no roof or a broken roof; well, what rotten luck!
Never put a clothes hanger on the bed
If you do, you won’t have sex. You’ve been warned.
Never put a hat on the bed
A list of the most common and absurd Italian superstitions Hat on the bed
Unless, of course, you’re a doctor or a priest who is giving the last rites.
Never wear purple at the theatre
Or in a television studio. At one time theatre shows were banned for Lent and the actors went literally hungry. Ever since purple became the colour of the sacred vestments for Lent, it has been considered bad luck to wear purple at the theatre.
Never cross your knife and fork on your plate at the table
Do not place other objects in the shape of a cross either, including shoes. These superstitions all seem to have religious origins, and appear to be an insult to the symbol of the cross.
Never cross over each other’s arms when making a toast
A list of the most common Italian superstitions
When saying “cin cin” (cheers) and clinking glasses, never cross over the arms of the people next to you.
Venus and Mars …
“Neither Venus nor Mars, not married not apart, neither one gives himself to art”. (“Nè di Venere nè di Marte, non si sposa non si parte, nè si dà principio all’arte”). So the saying goes, on a Tuesday (Martedì in Italian, from Mars, the God of War) or Friday (Venerdì in Italian, from Venus, the God of Love) you should never travel or do something different such as trying on a new dress or starting a new business.
Do not give sharp objects as gifts
A list of the most common Italian superstitions including Friday 17th - knives
If you receive a broach, a penknife or any other kind of sharp object as a gift, prick the person who gave it to you, or give them a coin as a token in return. If you don’t, you risk ruining your friendship. If you give someone a handkerchief as a present, it’s the same as giving them tears.
Pearls
A list of the most common Italian superstitions including Friday 17th - Pearls
Even pearls should never be presented as gifts. If you do receive them, make sure you pay the person giving them to you a token sum.
Never sweep under someone’s feet
If you sweep under the feet of an unmarried girl, she’ll remain a spinster.
Seeing an empty hearse
Clearly, it could be for you. If you do see one, touch your nether regions as a gesture of good luck.
Never, ever, EVER give your best wishes
Never wish a hunter a good hunt, or an athlete a successful race, or a student exam success. Instead, say “In bocca al lupo”, literally, “Into the wolf’s mouth”, meaning “Good luck!” Also, never celebrate or wish someone a happy birthday before the actual date, its very bad luck!
If you find a coin on the ground, spit on it before you put it in your pocket.
Do not share the same match with other smokers when lighting your cigarette.
A list of the most common Italian superstitions cigarette
Do not light a cigarette from a candle or an open flame otherwise you’ve killed a sailor.
If you kiss a child on the neck, you’ll drift off to sleep.
Make sure there are never 13 of you at the table, like the Last Supper.
Never let there be three of you making the bed, at most only you and one other person.
Never cut your nails on a Monday or Friday.
If you say the same word at the time as someone else, touch your nose, otherwise you’ll never get married. (Click here for all the Italian wedding traditions you should know before getting married)
Only ever give flowers to someone in odd numbers, and never more than 12. Even numbers of flowers are for the deceased.
A list of the most common Italian superstitions flowers
The groom must never see the bride’s dress before the wedding.
Don’t give combs (they bring suffering), mirrors (they bring animosity) or shoes as gifts.
If you break a mirror, prepare yourself for seven years of bad luck.
A list of the most common Italian superstitions broken mirror
If you lose your wedding ring, buy yourself a new one immediately or risk eternal unhappiness as a couple.
Never try on someone’s engagement ring otherwise you’ll never get married.
Two people sharing the same towel will cause arguments.