What Are Italian Superstitions?
Italian superstitions are traditional beliefs about what brings good or bad luck in Italy: fearing Friday the 17th, touching iron after saying something negative, or wearing a horn-shaped charm against the evil eye. Some are shared with other countries and many are very Italian, with roots in Roman, religious and regional traditions.
Italy, renowned for its rich history, vibrant culture, and world-famous cuisine, is also home to a variety of deep-rooted superstitions that reveal much about the Italian way of life.
Whether mystical or practical, Italian superstitions are a window into the customs and mindset of Italians and Italian society. They include a range of beliefs and practices that have been passed down through generations.
However, they are not uniform across the country: northern Italy, influenced by Alpine and Central European traditions, has different beliefs compared to southern regions like Sicily, where customs have Arab and Greek roots.
Symbolism and Protective Measures
The Evil Eye and Rituals
The belief in the malocchio (evil eye) is pervasive in Italy. This curse stems from envy or jealousy and is said to bring bad luck.
To ward off its effects, Italians may use specific symbols or practice protective rituals like making the mano cornuta (hand gesture resembling horns). In more elaborate cases, older family members may perform incantations passed down through generations.
The general word for these rituals is scongiuri, and people say fare gli scongiuri (to perform the rituals that ward off bad luck). One warning about the horn gesture: pointed at a person, it is an insult, not a protection.
The Horn-Shaped Amulet
Central to many Italian superstitions are protective symbols and rituals. The corno, a horn-shaped amulet made of red coral, gold, or silver, is widely recognized as a charm to ward off the malocchio (evil eye).
This amulet, which resembles a chili pepper, is particularly popular in southern Italy. Touching or showing this talisman is believed to repel envy and misfortune.
If you have an Italian friend, ask them whether they have or ever had a corno as a key chain. At least 70% of Italians, including myself, had it at least once in their life.
The Power of Touching Iron
While many cultures touch wood for good luck, Italians often touch iron to ward off misfortune. The gesture of toccare ferro (to touch iron) is especially common when discussing negative possibilities. People often say Tocca ferro! (Touch iron!) right after mentioning something bad that they hope will not happen.
Italian Superstitions
Superstitions Related to Numbers and Dates
- The Number 17
Unlike the Western fear of the number 13, Italians avoid 17 due to its association with death. This belief stems from its Roman numeral form, XVII. If rearranged, it spells VIXI, meaning “I have lived”, therefore signifying that now I am dead. You will hear Italians say Il numero 17 porta male (the number 17 brings bad luck).
- Friday the 17th
Combining the superstition around 17 with the Christian belief that Friday was the day of Jesus’ crucifixion, Friday the 17th is considered a particularly unlucky day. Some Italians might take extra precautions on this day to avoid misfortune.
- The Number 13
The number 13 is considered lucky in Italy, linked to prosperity and abundance. There is one exception: a table with 13 guests is unlucky, a reference to the Last Supper.
Superstitions Related to Food
- The Significance of bread
Bread holds a sacred status in Italian households, symbolizing life and nourishment. Placing a loaf upside down is considered disrespectful and a symbol of bad luck, stemming from religious associations where bread represents the body of Christ.
- Spilled salt
Spilling salt is seen as a bad gesture, a belief that dates back to times when salt was highly valuable. To counteract the misfortune, Italians throw a pinch of the spilled salt over their left shoulder to blind the devil lurking behind them.
- Spilled olive oil
Like salt, olive oil was once an expensive ingredient, and wasting it is seen as a bad omen.
- Eating lentils for wealth
On New Year’s Eve, many Italians serve lentils which symbolize wealth and prosperity for the upcoming year. The small, coin-shaped legumes are believed to attract financial fortune.
Superstitions Related to Drinks
- Toasting the right way
Never toast with water: it is considered bad luck, so raise a glass of wine or another drink. Look each person in the eye as you clink glasses, and do not cross arms with the person next to you while you do it.
Superstitions Related to Marriage
- The wedding dress
It is considered bad luck for the groom to see the bride in her wedding dress before the ceremony. Many Italian brides take great care to keep their dresses hidden until the wedding day.
- Catching the bouquet
A fun tradition of Italian weddings is when women gather behind the bride’s shoulders and the bride throws her bouquet. The common belief is that the single woman who catches the bride’s bouquet will be the next to marry.
- Avoiding Tuesday and Friday weddings
There are two specific days of the week that are considered unlucky days for weddings: martedì (Tuesday) and venerdì (Friday).
The first is linked to Italian mythology, as it is associated to Mars, the god of war. The second is considered a day of fasting and penance for Christians.
Superstitions Related to Animals
- The black cat
Seeing a black cat cross your path is regarded as a bad omen in Italy. This belief traces back to medieval beliefs that linked black cats to symbols of misfortune. Now, some Italians may even change their route to avoid the perceived bad luck.
What I find interesting about these beliefs is the legend behind them: this one states that, since there was no lighting system back then, if a cat crossed the street, it was very likely to be run over.
- Birds entering the house
I personally did not know this one, but apparently a bird flying into the home is seen as an ominous sign, often believed to foretell death. Italians take great care to prevent this from happening.
Superstitions Related to Everyday Objects
- Hat on the bed
Never put a hat on a bed. The belief goes back to the time when a priest or a doctor visiting a seriously ill person would take off his hat and leave it at the foot of the bed, so a hat on a bed became a sign of death.
- Open umbrella indoors
Opening an umbrella inside the house is considered bad luck.
- The broom
If you are single, do not let anyone sweep over your feet with a broom, or you will never get married.
- Walking under a ladder
As in many other countries, walking under a ladder is seen as unlucky.
Italian Superstitions About Death
Many Italian superstitions are connected to death. Some were described above: the number 17, a hat on a bed and a bird flying into the house. Two more are worth knowing:
- Thirteen people at the table
Sitting down to dinner with 13 guests is unlucky, a reference to the Last Supper. Some say that one of the guests will die within the year.
- Following an empty hearse
According to the belief, if you follow a hearse that is not carrying a coffin, death is following you too. A hearse with a coffin is no danger.
Superstitions in the Italian Language
Superstitions are part of everyday Italian, and you will hear these expressions often. Italians often admit that a belief is silly and follow it anyway, and there is a famous phrase for that attitude: Non è vero, ma ci credo! (It isn’t true, but I believe it!).
| Italian | English | Example |
|---|---|---|
| portare fortuna / portare sfortuna | to bring luck / to bring bad luck | Un ferro di cavallo porta fortuna. A horseshoe brings good luck. |
| fare gli scongiuri | to ward off bad luck with rituals | Ho detto una cosa brutta: ora devo fare gli scongiuri! I said something bad, now I have to ward it off! |
| toccare ferro | to touch iron | Speriamo che vada tutto bene, tocchiamo ferro! Let’s hope everything goes well, let’s touch iron! |
| fare le corna | to make the horn gesture | Ho visto un gatto nero e ho fatto le corna. I saw a black cat and made the horn gesture. |
| fare il malocchio | to put the evil eye on someone | Ti hanno fatto il malocchio! Someone put the evil eye on you! |
| essere nato con la camicia | to be born lucky (literally “born with a shirt”) | Sei nato con la camicia! You were born lucky! |
| In bocca al lupo! | Good luck! (literally “into the wolf’s mouth”) | The traditional reply is Crepi! (may it die). Saying grazie is said to bring bad luck. |
| Non dire gatto se non ce l’hai nel sacco | Don’t count your chickens before they hatch (literally “don’t say cat until you have it in the bag”) | A proverb about not celebrating too early. |
For more ways to wish someone luck, read how to say good luck in Italian. If you like sayings, you will also enjoy these Italian proverbs.
Italian Superstitions: Frequently Asked Questions
Which number is unlucky in Italy?
The unlucky number is 17, and Friday the 17th is considered the unluckiest day. The number 13 is considered lucky, except when there are 13 people at the table.
What is the most popular Italian good luck charm?
The corno (also called cornicello or cornetto), the small horn-shaped amulet made of red coral, gold or silver, worn against the malocchio. For more legends and myths, see this guide to Italian folklore.
Do Italians say “break a leg”?
No. Italians wish good luck with In bocca al lupo!, and the answer is Crepi!, not “thank you”.
Get rid of Misfortune
Italian superstitions, rich in history and full of symbolic meaning, still shape the culture and traditions of Italy. They may seem quirky or puzzling to outsiders, but they hold deep significance for us, acting as a bridge between past and present.
Whether you’re visiting Italy or simply curious about its culture, understanding these superstitions provides valuable insight into what makes the country’s heritage so fascinating.
Respecting these beliefs is essential, but it’s also important to recognize that, at their core, they are just that: superstitions. They add color and depth to life without needing to limit one’s potential or choices.
