Italy, a country steeped in history, art, and profound cultural traditions, is also home to an estimated 550 superstitions. This rich tapestry of beliefs, known as superstizioni, is a daily reality for many. It’s a blend of ancient Roman paganism, Catholic dogma, and deep-rooted regional folklore. More than just quaint beliefs, these are often practical rituals of scaramanziaโa series of gestures and actions performed to ward off bad luck. The most famous of these is the belief in the malocchio, or “evil eye,” which has a wide array of protections. Here are 50 of the most enduring superstitions that define Italian life.
1
Il Malocchio (The Evil Eye)
The most famous belief. The malocchio is a curse of bad luck, sickness, or misfortune brought on by an envious gaze. It’s often blamed for headaches and general malaise.
2
Fare le Corna (Making the Horns)
The primary way to ward off the malocchio or any bad luck. It involves pointing the index and pinky fingers down (like a bull’s horns) while the thumb holds down the middle two fingers.
3
Il Cornicello (The Little Horn)
A red, horn-shaped amulet, often resembling a chili pepper, worn or hung in homes and cars. It is the most powerful physical protection against the evil eye.
4
The Malocchio Test
To diagnose the malocchio, an elder (usually a nonna) drops olive oil into a bowl of water. If the oil scatters, forms “eyes,” or sinks, you have it. Chants are then performed to clear it.
5
Venerdรฌ 17 (Friday the 17th)
This, not Friday the 13th, is the unluckiest day in Italy. The extreme bad luck
associated with the number 17 is deeply rooted.
6
The Number 17 (Diciassette)
Why 17? In Roman numerals, 17 is XVII. An anagram of this is VIXI, which in Latin means “I have lived”โa euphemism for “I am dead.” It’s an omen of death.
7
The Number 13 (Tredici)
Unlike in other cultures, 13 is often considered a lucky number
in Italy. It’s associated with Saint Anthony and is seen as a positive, protective force.
8
Toccare Ferro (Touch Iron)
Italians don’t “knock on wood.” They toccare ferro (touch iron) to ward off bad luck or prevent a good thing from being jinxed. This may come from the iron of a horseshoe.
9
Toccarsi le Palle (Grabbing)
A cruder but extremely common male gesture of scaramanzia. When hearing bad news, seeing an empty hearse, or to ward off a jinx, men will often touch their testicles (or touch iron).
10
Spilling Salt
Spilling salt is a classic bad omen. To reverse the misfortune
, you must immediately take a pinch of the spilled salt and throw it over your left shoulder.
11
Spilling Wine
Conversely, spilling wine is considered good luck
! It signifies abundance. To accept the luck, you should dab a finger in the spilled wine and touch it behind your ears.
12
Spilling Olive Oil
Spilling olive oil is considered terrible luck
, far worse than salt. In ancient times, oil was a precious, expensive commodity (“liquid gold”), so spilling it was a sign of future poverty.
13
Upside-Down Bread
Never place a loaf of bread upside-down on the table. It’s seen as a sign of disrespect to the body of Christ (the “Bread of Life”) and is believed to attract extreme bad luck.
14
Hat on a Bed
Never place a hat on a bed. This is one of the most serious bad omens. It is associated with the last rites, when a priest would remove his hat and set it on the bed of the dying.
15
Il Gatto Nero (The Black Cat)
If a black cat crosses your path, it is a sign of bad luck
. Many older Italians will stop their car or wait for someone else to pass first to “clear” the path.
16
Sweeping Feet
If someone sweeps the floor and the broom touches your feet, it means you will never get married. This is a common fear for single people.
17
Opening an Umbrella Indoors
A common superstition worldwide, it’s very strong in Italy. Opening an umbrella inside the house is believed to bring a storm of bad luck and misfortune “raining” down on the home.
18
Broken Mirror
Just like elsewhere, breaking a mirror is said to bring seven years of bad luck. The mirror was believed to hold a part of your soul; breaking it “shatters” your soul’s health.
19
New Year’s Lentils (Lenticchie)
On New Year’s Eve, eating lentils with cotechino (pork sausage) is essential. The small, round lentils look like coins and are believed to bring wealth and prosperity
for the year.
20
New Year’s Red Underwear
To ensure a year full of luck and love
, both men and women must wear red underwear on New Year’s Eve. For the luck to work, it must be thrown away the next day.
21
Throwing Old Things
In some regions (especially Naples), it’s traditional to throw old, unwanted items out of the window at midnight on New Year’s Eve to symbolize “letting go” of the old and welcoming the new.
22
Toasting: Eye Contact
When making a toast (cin cin), you must look the other person directly in the eyes as your glasses clink. Failing to do so is said to bring seven years of bad luck (or bad sex).
23
Toasting: No Water
Never, ever toast with a glass of water. It is considered extremely bad luck
and is seen as “toasting to your own death,” as water is what you are given when you are sick.
24
Toasting: No Crossing
When toasting in a group, never cross your arms over someone else’s to clink glasses. It’s a sign of crossed paths and future arguments. Wait your turn.
25
Itchy Left Hand
If your left palm is itchy, it’s a good sign! It means you are about to receive money. Do not scratch it, or you’ll scratch the luck away.
26
Itchy Right Hand
If your right palm is itchy, it’s a bad sign. It means you are about to lose money or have to pay an unexpected bill.
27
Bird Poop (Fortuna)
While unpleasant, if a bird poops on you, it is a sign of imminent good luck
and fortune. You must not curse; you must accept the “blessing” from above.
28
Empty Hearse (Carro Funebre)
Seeing a hearse with a coffin in it is not bad. But seeing an empty hearse is a terrible omen
, implying it is “coming for you” next. One must immediately “touch iron” or fare le corna.
29
Gifting Knives
Never give a knife, scissors, or any sharp object as a gift. It is believed it will “cut” the friendship. To avoid this, the recipient must “pay” the giver with a single coin.
30
Gifting Handkerchiefs
Never gift handkerchiefs. They are associated with crying and tears, and giving them as a gift is said to “gift” the recipient future sorrow and mourning.
31
Sitting at the Corner
If a single person sits at the corner of a rectangular table, they are doomed to not marry for at least seven years.
32
Same Word, Same Time
If two people say the exact same word at the exact same time, they must immediately touch their nose (tocca il naso) or say “anello!” (ring!). If they don’t, they will never get married.
33
La Smorfia Napoletana
A Neapolitan tradition of associating numbers (1-90) with dreams, events, and people. If you have a strange dream, you consult “La Smorfia” to get your lucky numbers to play on the lottery.
34
Ear Ringing
If your ear is ringing, it means someone is talking about you. The left ear ringing means they are saying good things. The right ear ringing means they are saying bad things.
35
Passing Salt
You should never hand salt directly to another person at the table. It is believed to cause a fight. Instead, you must place the salt shaker on the table for them to pick up.
36
Crossed Cutlery
Never rest your knife and fork in a cross shape on your plate. It is a sign of disrespect to the cross (a religious symbol) and will bring bad luck or an argument.
37
New Year’s Grapes
A tradition borrowed from Spain but common in Italy. You must eat 12 grapes at the 12 strokes of midnight on New Year’s Eve, one for each month, to ensure a year of sweetness and prosperity
.
38
Spider (Ragno)
Seeing a spider is generally good luck. A spider in the morning brings sorrow, but a spider in the evening (ragno di sera) brings hope and money. Killing one brings bad luck.
39
Fattura (The Curse)
A fattura is a more serious, intentional curse than the malocchio. It’s a form of folk magic or “hex” performed by a “witch” to cause serious harm, often using personal items.
40
Yawning (Sbadiglio)
While often a sign of tiredness, excessive, watery-eyed yawning is considered one of the primary physical symptoms that you have been “hit” with the malocchio.
41
Cat Sneezing
If you hear a cat sneeze, it is considered a very good omen
. It’s believed to bring money or good fortune to the house. If a bride hears a cat sneeze on her wedding day, her marriage will be happy.
42
13 at the Table
Despite 13 being a lucky number, having exactly 13 people at a dinner table is considered very unlucky
. This one is a direct reference to the Last Supper, with 12 apostles and the traitor, Judas.
43
Stepping in…
Accidentally stepping in a dog’s droppings is a sign of good luck
and impending money. However, you must step in it with your left foot for the luck to work.
44
Entering a Church
When entering a church, it is said you should always step in with your right foot first to start your prayer on the “right” path.
45
La Befana (The Epiphany Witch)
A good witch from folklore. On the night of January 5th, she flies on her broom and fills the stockings of good children with candy and bad children with carbone (coal, now black sugar).
46
Il Munaciello (The Little Monk)
A mischievous house spirit from Naples, resembling a little monk. He can be both good and bad. If he likes you, he might leave coins
; if he dislikes you, he will break things and cause .
47
Jumping on the Bed
Children are often told not to jump on the bed, not just for safety, but because it is believed to stop them from growing taller.
48
Seeing a Nun (Suora)
While respected, seeing a nun, or especially a group of nuns, is considered a sign of bad luck
for the day. To ward it off, one must touch iron (toccare ferro).
49
Seeing an Ambulance
Seeing an ambulance is a direct omen of bad health. To protect yourself and your family, you must immediately fare le corna or toccare ferro.
50
Moon and Hair
It is believed that you should only cut your hair during a waxing moon (crescent to full). This ensures it will grow back faster, thicker, and stronger.
References
- Italia.it (Official Italian Tourism Board) โ “Italian Superstitions: How to Behave”
- Wikipedia โ “Superstition in Italy”
- University of Kentucky โ “Folklore in Italy” by Dr. Stanley Chiodi
- Wikipedia โ “Evil Eye” (Cultural significance and Italian traditions)
- Wikipedia โ “Smorfia Napoletana” (The tradition of interpreting dreams into numbers)