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Corno Be on the lookout for this horn . Yes, the dreaded evil eye ( malocchio ), the fear of every Italian. We like to learn new knowledge about knives and therefore we decided to establish this website. Every region seems to have their own version of the Evil Eye, but some take it more seriously than others. The first use of the Latin word superstitio is traced back to the 1st century and it was found in the writing of the historians Livy and Ovid. Quick Navigation. Poultry & Winged Fowl. Like any group of fanatics, we knife lovers are not immune to superstitions, so, to embrace knife fanaticism, today I bring you 26 superstitions all about our most beloved subject: knives. It's especially bad luck to give a knife as a wedding gift because, according to folklore, it could cut the marriage ties. "In bocca al lupo". The salt one for example is very simple. Wait until someone else crosses its path first! Your email address will not be published. 11 wedding superstitions and traditions explained | CNN When youre in Italy, dont put a hat on a bed! It would be bad luck, therefore, to lay the bread upside-down on a table or counter. The Weirdest Greek Superstitions - GreekReporter Thats because they dont want the umbrella to accidentally pop open inside the house! Knives are very personal items to many people, so that I can relate to this situation, and I can add my own belief to this one; Dont touch my knife if you value your life!. Top 13 Italian Superstitions | Italy Magazine For Italians, it is essential to keep an umbrella holder on the doorstep, outside the house. They feel it is a very unlucky number although I really couldnt figure out why. Religious ceremonies and rituals frequently involved the use of knives, which led to spiritual-based superstitions around knives and their use. 1. To ward off the evil eye Italians often use a gesture called le corna, horns (to do so, outstretch your pinkie and index fingers with your hand facing downwards to look like horns), or wear a lucky amulet shaped like a horn (u curnicell or cornetto). . One of the most popular and perhaps most feared superstitions is the black cat. In the present day, however, umbrellas were often used to plug holes in the houses of poor people, hence the belief that opening them will bring a good deal of financial misfortune. The slight mistranslation in Christ Stopped at Eboli. Before your Italian vacation, familiarize . So, wishing someone to be into the wolfs mouth could also be interpreted as I wish you well. If you are a single woman with hopes of meeting your Principe Azzurro (Prince Charming), be careful around brooms! Malocchio | Evil Eye | Italian Superstitions | Bleeding Espresso While in some countries Friday the 13th is considered a bad omen, Italy has its own date that you should be fearful of, its Friday the 17th. You could be struck with all kinds of sicknesses, most of which include headaches, dizziness, nausea, and fatigue. However, in Italy, 13 is considered a lucky number! I sometimes wonder how human beings made it as far as we have! Lets have a look at the top 5 most famous superstitions still used today in Italy! That counteracts any chance the knife has of cutting the ties that bind your relationship. medianet_crid = "318442627";
So, its accepted practice in many cultures, even today, to include a coin with your gifted knife. In Italy, its common for people to tocca ferro or touch iron. We just hopethey arent touching a hot iron. You will move or leave your home if your knife turns with the blade upward. 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. Once a knife has taken its owner's blood, the owner will never sell or trade that knife with anyone. If you play with a knife, the angels will run away from you, and if you play with fire, you will pee in your bed. 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. However these superstitions were probably through 50 years ago certainly not now. Make sure you cross off the unlucky days from your calendar first! Shocked: 10 Italian Superstitions | QEEQ After a long day of sightseeing you might be tempted to toss your hat onto your beddont! The importance of knives in our history and culture has resulted in superstitious beliefs about using knives and how they are handled. In Italy, its also customary when passing the salt to place it on the table first before handing it over. It's serious bad luck. Knives are no less significant in our modern lives than our ancestors, but we no longer attribute the same connotations to knives, such as luck, destiny, and spiritual intervention. According to Italian traditions, however, taking a bath when youre sick will only make you sicker aswill going outside with wet hair. One of the more popular superstitions is the Malocchio (mal=bad occhio=eye) or the evil eye. That way there is no risk of having them fall. Ive even heard of one man who has a tendency to buy knives that have serial numbers that contain significant dates such as 1776, 911, or 1415. We promise to never spam you or sell your email address. The reason for this is not exactly clear, Italians simply believe that early wishes might jinx them. In Southern Italy, superstitions run rampant. A small coin is the most popular "payment" given. 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! For example, never raise a glass thats full of water and dont cross arms with the person next to you when you clink glasses. Make sure to follow some important rules or you might attract some misfortune! The logic is that a knife can symbolize the severing of a relationship, so you shouldn't give it as a gift for events, especially weddings. At least, thats what people in ancient China believed. When making a toast in Italy, its considered unlucky to do it with water. The source of this curse is said to be envy, directed at youeither intentionally or unintentionallyby a friend, co-worker, or archenemy. 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. A Loaf of Bread A loaf of bread must always be placed on a table, facing up according to Italian traditions. Consequently, the islanders wanted their most beautiful virgins to conceive offspring by them, as many as each sailor could sire during the one-month period of restocking supplies available on the islands. The origins of this belief are unclear, but perhaps the knife under the mattress provided firmer support than the mattress alone, which helped ease the pain. : ( ) Knives were also part of a mans weaponry used in battle or defense of himself or his family. A similar belief was that a knife placed under the mattress of a woman in labor would increase the chances of her giving birth to a boy. These are not traditions. Some Gypsy Superstitions | Gypsy Magick and Lore - Shirleytwofeathers Among the ancient Romans, sprinkling salt on the ruins of conquered cities meant preventing them from flourishing again (as salt makes the soil infertile). Available on Amazon. Italian Superstitions and Why 17 is an Unlucky Number for Italians As a matter of fact, opening an umbrella indoors may bring financial bad luck: its a sign that you may soon no longer have a warm and cosy roof to live under, or you will be hit by some sort of tragedy such as losing your job or experiencing a natural calamity. 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. #20: Some hunters believe that the knife you use to kill game (not dress it) should never be handled by a woman. According to Italian superstition, you should never raise a toast with a glass full of water, as it is considered bad luck. A knife, they say, will cut the ties that bind a friendship together. We share a vivid picture of life in Italy in our first-ever book. Like that, the gift turns into a purchase and no harm will be done. In dangerous times, a weapon close at hand can give a sense of security, allowing the mind to relax and enjoy a peaceful sleep. Find out more in the article below:5 Proven & Safe TIPS: How To Dispose Of Kitchen Knives. Most people have air conditioning, a lot of people have black cats, and by the way hotels rarely go over the 5th or 7th floor we certainly dont have 20 stories hotels, here unless maybe in Milan or Rome. If you do it, either someone will tirarti un occhiataccia (give you a dirty look) or tell you to close it and open it outside. Dropping things: someone is thinking of you. 1. #2: Sticking a knife into a cradle's headboard is believed to protect the baby. #24: In China, it is believed that sleeping on a bed with knives under it will scare away evil spirits. Learn the local language with her 80/20 method for less than the cost of eating at a tourist trap restaurant Start learning today! Cats (Felines) Some of us grew up that it is a sign of good luck if a black cat crosses your path. The roots of this superstition go back to the Middle Ages, when the black cat was associated with evil and witchcraft and therefore seen as bad luck. 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! If you want detailed destinations guides, languages learning tips, and travel phrase guides, then you've come to the right place! Arguably the most famous Irish superstition, kissing the sacred stone gives you the gift of the gab. This old Chinese belief is similar to the Greek superstition about sleeping with a knife under your pillow. A similar superstition states that a knife that has bitten its owner will stay sharp longer and is less likely to accidentally cut its owner. If they do, they risk attracting a more handsome rival who will steal their beloved away forever. Feng shui superstitious beliefs are based on traditional Chinese superstitions, and can bring luck and positive chi energy into your home. If you are walking outside and a pigeon poops on your head, it is a sign of good luck in Italy. What was your superstition growing up that your mother or grandmother told you? According to tradition, the only way to stop the superstition in its tracks when a friend gifts you a knife is to give them something in return, usually a penny or other small denomination coin. If the knife's handle comes to rest pointing at you (or whoever is asking the question), then that means your future spouse will be fair. A toast is always done with champagne or wine. Looking back at my childhood in Ireland, I find it amazing . Herbertz Solingen Italian Titanium Dagger Knife Folder (227815) One belief that dates back to the Vikings (and is still held by many today) is that gifting a knife will cause your relationship to be severed. Learn more about Italian birthday traditions here. Older Post While this may have been a belief in the past, thrusting a knife into a door of your home today might require you to have protection from your spouse! Required fields are marked *. Have you ever wondered why some hotels in Italy dont have a 17th floor? Italian Life Rules - Superstitions, Familiar and Strange Old or broken kitchen knives can potentially cause injury if not disposed of correctly. Fortunately, I do not subscribe to this superstition and welcome all knife gifts! Get her free guide 9 reasons youre not fluentYET & how to fix it! Sacrilegious. Superstitions and Traditions to Know Before Going to Italy No, not even on the day before! A Lucky Number. When youre feeling under the weather, chances are you want to take a nice hot bath to soothe your pain. From magic mice to hungry wolves, take a look at 10 of our favourite bizarre Italian superstitions and traditions. http://edgarzryc36945.mybloglicious.com/25760990/ Learn how your comment data is processed. Thats one instance where people are wrong who say its the thought that counts. Just thought you might want to know. 1. That stirs up trouble. For more tips, visit my guide on Italian culture to learn 18 weird things that Italian do that no one warns you about. Every region seems to have its version of the Wickedness Eye, however, some take it more seriously than . (Free PDF Download). Malocchio or "Evil Eye," is one of the Italians' main superstitions. Remember that mattresses in those days were often material stuffed with straw rather than our scientifically designed space-age comfortable mattresses. 64 Chinese Superstitions for Good Luck | LoveToKnow Most have their roots in ancient cultures who explained the world with stories and based belief systems on anecdotal evidence. Beware of the Evil Eye A superstition shared by all Greeks is the evil eye, or "Mati." It is believed that someone can cast the evil eye onto another person out of envy (either good or bad) and jealousy. Owners Blood Knife Superstition. Check out the explanation of why to always use a cutting board in the article below:7 Crucial Reasons Why You Should Always Use A Cutting Board, 7 Crucial Reasons Why You Should Always Use A Cutting Board, All You Need to Know About Knife Tangs (Full or Partial?). We have all seen Italians greet each other with kisses on both cheeks. In the UK, Australia, or the US, after saying something that might attract bad luck, you would typically say Touch wood!. 4. Herb Folklore: Herbal Natural Remedies | The Old Farmer's Almanac Thank you for your support of Survival Knife Experts! If someone brushes over your feet by accident, then youre destined to be single for the rest of your life. If knives are on your registry, just give the gift giver a penny . Another Italian tradition is to eat lentils (lenticchie, in Italian) on New Years Eve and January 1st. In ancient times, salt was invaluable. We grow up with unspoken regulations to ward off bad luck, and just as casually perform rituals to draw in good fortune. "Topolino dei denti". TIP: A Swiss Army Knife is an iconic pocket knife and one of the predecessors to the modern pocket multitool. When your nose itches, it's either "pugni o baci," punches or kisses. 11. As a matter of fact, the left side has always been associated with the devil. Putting a hat on a bed is considered unlucky because its associated with death. If the knife falls and points towards land, the fisherman will not catch anything the next time he goes fishing. Find out more in the article below:All Knife Sharpening Stones Types Explained & Compared. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This superstition is still very much alive today, even among theatre actors, who never bring a real mirror on stage to prevent it from breaking. Did you know we now live in Lucca? Every culture has its own set of New Years traditions. How a lot of these superstitions and traditions are followed with a sense of obligation to family and culture. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Nowadays, however, it is very common to reply to that wish with a simple grazie or viva il lupo! (meaning, long live the wolf!). 1) A Gifted Knife Can End a Friendship The saying goes that a gifted knife will sever the ties between the giver and the receiver. Its also bad luck to cross arms with anyone as you clink glasses. So when a mirror breaks, it breaks you as well. #2: Sticking a knife into a cradle's headboard is believed to protect the baby. My approach is different from traditional methods because I teach you the most important 20% of the language right from the beginning so you can start to speak straight away. Knife Superstitions - 5 Popular Knives Traditions | Knives Academy Today, ironically on Friday the 13th, let's touch on five of my favorite Italian superstitions. This superstition actually dates back to the Vikings who believe that gifting a knife to someone implies that the receiver isnt able to buy himself a good enough knife to kill the giver so he has to be given the knife for free. 5 Italian superstitions you probably never heard of! Copyright KRUDO Knives, INC. | All rights reserved | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Design By iFame Media, Assets That Hold Value During Uncertain Times, 6 Hobbies for Guys That Arent Video Games, Selling a pocket knife is a problem? It is said that the more you eat the richer youll become, so eat up! Knives also became a status symbol, with only the rich able to afford high-quality knives, many of which were adorned with precious metals or gemstones. A knife crossing another knife, or even a utensil, had different meanings in different cultures. A baby keeps its luck in the grimy lines of its hands. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
. A new home is always cleansed by performing a ritual such as sprinkling salt in the corners of all the rooms. But the 17th can 'va' a cagare or vaccaga' [excuse my rudeness ;-)] As mentioned before, today's date is just another day in Italy and is associated with the goddess of fertility. Learn how your comment data is processed. While some still hold these to be true, KRUDO Knives likes to err on the side of caution & recommend you not try anything that may cause harm or fights with your friends & family. Theres even a lovely rhyme to help you remember: stir with a knife and stir up strife. 17 Weird Italian Superstitions Italians ACTUALLY Live By If someone does give you a knife as a wedding gift, you are supposed to give the gift-giver a penny in return so it is considered a "purchase." 7. Some traditions call for using your blade as soon as you get it to draw some blood from your hand, bonding the knife to you. #26: Some knife owners, particularly those in the Philippines, believe in coating the blade with their blood if they accidentally cut themselves with it.