12. Spanish Superstitions. 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. You can unsubscribe at any time. The rarity and the consequently high cost of salt gave rise to a number of beliefs in the ancient world. This effectively purchases the knife from the friend, bypassing the effect of superstition. Others are told to bring good luck, such as the four leaf clover or the number 7. If someone brushes over your feet by accident, then youre destined to be single for the rest of your life. Putting the bread upside down was disrespectful for the cross not the bread. It doesn't matter if it's raining cats and dogs (piovendo a catinelle). All Rights Reserved. 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. I know what its like to start from scratch and to even go back to absolute basics and learn what a verb is! While lentils might not look like a typical Italian dish, they carry a powerful meaning! An Italian superstition says that when you get out of bed you should always place your right foot first and then your left one. Stirring a drink in a cup, soup in a bowl, or food cooking in a pot with a knife was considered a bad omen that was sure to bring bad luck upon the person brazen enough to perform this heinous act! I will never give away, trade or sell your email address. Sweeping it all under the carpet. The way around this superstition is to give a penny with a knife. Or do you find it silly? Forget Friday 13th being unlucky! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. This is how this superstition originated. How a lot of these superstitions and traditions are followed with a sense of obligation to family and culture. http://edgarzryc36945.mybloglicious.com/25760990/ Knife superstitions are not restricted to specific geographical locations but come from all parts of the world. Caraway. Available on Amazon. Here are some common superstizioni GOOD LUCK: Seeing a spider at night: a sure sign of monetary income. If you thrust a knife into the door of home, its meant to provide protection for everyone who lives in that house. You can find them by clickinghere(Amazon link). The tradition of first confession and first holy communion. Some consider this a bad omen as the use of the past tense implies that death is just around the corner, and therefore it stands for bad luck. To this day, they rank among the most useful tools you can own. The point when you give a coin with a knife is so the recipient of the blade can immediately give you the penny back. Thank you for your support of Survival Knife Experts! This means that if you choose to purchase one of these knives or other productson Amazon, Amazon will pay us a small commission at no extra cost to you. We like to learn new knowledge about knives and therefore we decided to establish this website. Knives have been a part of human culture, survival, and religion for millennia, so unsurprisingly, many superstitions and beliefs have arisen over the years. The Greeks used it for upset stomachs. I certainly hope this superstition is not valid, given the number of knives I own! Join us in our travels as we share places to visit, travel tips, recipes, and more. A similar superstition states that a knife that has "bitten" its owner will retain its sharpness and won't . 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. Among the ancient Romans, sprinkling salt on the ruins of conquered cities meant preventing them from flourishing again (as salt makes the soil infertile). It was believed that a knife stuck in the front door of your house would protect you from your enemies and thieves.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[468,60],'sharpyknives_com-netboard-2','ezslot_18',127,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sharpyknives_com-netboard-2-0'); It is likely that a knife stuck in the front door indicated that the homeowner is armed and dangerous, so enter at your own risk. One of the more popular superstitions is the Malocchio (mal=bad occhio=eye) or the evil eye. Why does giving somebody a knife bring bad luck? Like many countries, Italy has its fair share of wacky traditions and superstitions. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'sharpyknives_com-banner-1','ezslot_1',103,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sharpyknives_com-banner-1-0');We all take knives for granted in modern times. Here are six more knife superstitions and knife traditions from the ancient world. (Romania) A dropped knife means a man will visit. you're a superstitious gift giver, perhaps chose an alternative item from a couple's registry. Looking back at my childhood in Ireland, I find it amazing . These were superstition of maybe 50 years ago, the world has moved on, do should you. Superstition says that spilling salt or olive oil will bring bad luck. Also blood related: Never sheath a knife after battle if it has not tasted blood, as it will fail you the next time you need it. (Let's learn together!). This superstition probably arose after a lifelong friend gifted the other person with a knife, and shortly after, they had a quarrel which dissolved the friendship. 26 Knife Superstitions That May Surprise You: #1: Placing a knife under the bed of a woman giving birth is believed to ease her pain during labor. Making A Toast. Many of these beliefs can be traced to Celtic traditions that the Catholic church failed to eradicate completely. Every region seems to have their own version of the Evil Eye, but some take it more seriously than others. This kind of stuff was around during the middle ages. We, however, think they are super cute! Salt and oil should not be passed from hand to hand. Another good reason to not eat chicken or turkey on New Year's Day is that . 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! When your nose itches, it's either "pugni o baci," punches or kisses. It is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. Dropping things: someone is thinking of you. However, the damage can be mitigated if the receiver gives. Sacrilegious. A knife crossing another knife, or even a utensil, had different meanings in different cultures. One thing they seem to have in common is that the Evil Eye is caused by jealousy and envy. 1. Friday the 13th va bene! (Lets have a look at them!). Knives as Wedding Gifts. Another common superstition in the dark ages was that if you crossed your knife with any other piece of cutlery at the table, it was a sign that you were involved with witchcraft. Perhaps the idea that she had something with which she could stab the man responsible for her condition gave the mother-to-be a distraction from the painful childbirth! When 17 is viewed as the Roman numeral, XVII, and then changed anagrammatically to VIXI (just change the position of numerals), you will get your answer! If the broken mirror is near the portrait of a living person, it means that person could die. #26: Some knife owners, particularly those in the Philippines, believe in coating the blade with their blood if they accidentally cut themselves with it. 4. As one of mans earliest and most useful tools, its not surprising that many beliefs have sprung up around knives both what you should and should not do. Nowadays many superstitions have lost (almost) any contact with religion but theyve become a significant part of the culture and form the basis of many Italian life rules. For the Egyptian people, the triangle was a sacred figure. Whether it comes to things to avoid doing, or practices to do per scaramanzia (to ward off bad luck), or jinxes to ensure that good fortune comes your way, in this guide youll discover 17 strange Italian superstitions that are taken very seriously, particularly in the south of Italy and among older generations. This superstition is similar to gifting a knife to a friend, but in this case, the superstition is that the knife will sever the love between the couple.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'sharpyknives_com-netboard-1','ezslot_17',135,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sharpyknives_com-netboard-1-0'); Many people take this superstition further and will not give a knife as a wedding gift to avoid it becoming a problem for the couples relationship. Superstition in Italy says if you are single you should not sit at the corner of a table in Italy because it means you will not marry. Superstition runs deep in the Italian upbringing. #7: Two knives crossed on a table will cause a quarrel. #6: Never stir anything using your knife (like soup or coffee) because that would bring bad luck. Italian traditions and superstitions range from fear of black cats to curses associated with spilled salt. The Evil Eye (Malocchio) The Evil Eye is one of the most ancient superstitions in Italy. 2) Ease Labor Pains During Childbirth That way, the recipient can give the coin to you and pay you for the knife. Associated file (a video, audio, or image file): So in addition to providing the recipient a chance to symbolically buy the blade with a coin, the coin provides good luck to cancel out the bad luck of the knife. Fortunately, I do not subscribe to this superstition and welcome all knife gifts! According to tradition, when priestsvisited the dying to give them their last rights, theywould remove their hat and put it on the bed. If you play with a knife, the angels will run away from you. Having 13 people around the table at mealtime is considered bad luck, as there were 13 people at the Last Supper. There is no doubt that knives have played a pivotal role in our history and still have a prominent role in our future. I would not have the space on my hands for all the scars! Thats because they dont want the umbrella to accidentally pop open inside the house! We have all seen Italians greet each other with kisses on both cheeks. I heard it means once again but I dont get the point of how the translation works out. An evil eye is not necessarily malicious; it is simply a look that brings misfortune. In Italy, this is true especially when it crosses your path! If the knife is given to a friend, money must be exchanged as well. Given that there are still people living on earth who will mistake another human for a god if he has a knife (something of such unimagineable utility it could only come from a god) its understandable how such superstitions persist. A black cat crossing your path brings bad luck, and so does a priest you meet on the road. 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. 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. In the U.S., people will knock on wood to avoid tempting fate. The best part is that you have lifetime access so you learn anytime, anywhere and on any device. Owners Blood Knife Superstition. This superstition comes from the fact that as far back as the days of the Ancient Roman Empire, oil was considered a luxury so if you spilled some, it would be money wasted. A new home is always cleansed by performing a ritual such as sprinkling salt in the corners of all the rooms. Glock Field Knife FM78 Black (12161) (#165823625419) e***e (7373) Past month. Here are 15 Italian superstitions that you need to know or at least be aware of. To pass on the stairs is unlucky, but to stumble going up foretells a wedding, but to break a mirror means seven years bad luck. The word salario, meaning salary, is derived from sale, meaning salt. Even though in general thirteen isnt an unlucky number in Italy like it is in other countries, at an Italian dinner table its considered very bad luck. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 15 Strange Italian Traditions and Superstitions Explained. Since the sailors were tall and fair-skinned in comparison to the islanders, and the fact that they had such an amazing gift convinced the Island people that they were gods! Ci vediamo l! In order to ward off tempted fates of this "jinx," Italians extend their pinkie and index finger, while holding the others down. Our first book, "Our Italian Journey," was written during our year in Italy experiencing the seducing charm of the country. #19: In some parts of America, people believe that sharpening any blade after the sun goes down is bad luck. If there's been a death in the family, superstition insists that knives should be carefully handled. Older Post Caraway was used to scent perfumes and soaps. Ease a headache by drinking tomato juice blended with fresh basil. 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. If, however, the falls with the blade pointing out to sea, you will have a good catch that day! Funny but I just dont see the significance of this yuck being a good thing. Dropping a mirror and breaking it, no matter how tiny it is, is said to bring you seven years of bad luck. The division between good and bad days was already known in Ancient Rome, where a distinction was made between dies fasti, literally glorious or legit days (when justice could be administered) and dies nefasti, meaning ominous days. Of course, of all tools, the knife is one of the oldest and most useful. For more tips, visit my guide on Italian culture to learn 18 weird things that Italian do that no one warns you about. Please check your inbox to confirm your email. So, it was a win-win solution; put a knife under the mattress to ease the pain and give birth to a son! The Italian culture was heavily influenced by the Roman Catholic church, which reveres religious symbols as holy relics, and any insult to these symbols was an insult to the faith. According to Italian superstitions, you should never sit at a table with 12 other diners as this will give you bad luck. As knife lovers, we all have our beliefs, superstitions, and idiosyncrasies regarding knives. Just as with the story of numbers that bring bad luck (17 in Italy vs. 13 in other countries), Italians also like to differentiate themselves with regard to another kind of superstition! This superstition is based on an old religious fact that bread is considered a symbol of life. 11. For example, if you slept in a bed with knives beneath it and evil spirits never attacked you, then of course the knives offered protection from evil spirits. Never give a knife as a housewarming present, or your new neighbor will become an enemy. To avoid bad luck, Italian gypsies never steal pearls, coral, or silver. The islanders deemed this service to be a fantastic and unimagineablely generous gift on the part of the gods, because it would bless their island home with the sons of the gods! https://bit.ly/3msCL3p, http://martinkopm78123.myparisblog.com/6063049/-----------------/ For the Christians the triangle represented the concept of the Holy Trinity and crossing a ladder meant breaking the sacredness of the Holy Trinity. According to Italian superstition, you should never raise a toast with a glass full of water, as it is considered bad luck. If the mirror cracks by itself, on the other hand, it means that the owner may lose a close friend. 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?). Also, dont forget to wear red undergarments, as this too will bring you luck in the coming year. After 30 days of using Intrepid Italian, if you dont want to celebrate your new-found Italian skills with an Aperol Spritz, you dont have to pay a penny! Lucky & Unlucky numbers. Some of us grew up that it is a sign of good luck if a black cat crosses your path. Some have even given knives away just because this happened. Be sure to hold on to this year's good luck by avoiding eating chicken, turkey, and other winged fowl. In fact, we were in San Gimignano and it actually happened to Gary while we were eating gelato in a piazza. Here we explain ten of the most common. 9 reasons youre not fluentYET & how to fix it. When the ship was restocked, each man said goodbye to his 30 or so girls, and told them, You have known a god intimately! . If you must accept it, pay the giver a penny, which will reverse . This belief originated in the olden days when a woman who inadvertently touched her feet with a broom was considered to be bad at housework and, consequently, a bad future wife. 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. According to Italian traditions, a loaf of bread must always be placed facing up. Now you know the most common Italian superstitions youll need to be aware of. In fact, despite a long and deep Catholic tradition, certain pagan rituals in Italy have persisted over time, shaping well-known customs that all Italians, whether they believe in them or not, recognize. Handing someone a knife. This superstition comes from a time before electricity and artificial lighting. Yes, the dreaded evil eye ( malocchio ), the fear of every Italian. JoySignals ? To get the nozze (Italian for wedding) started, most couples will have a rehearsal dinner, which begins our list of traditions and superstitions. Walk around it, in front of it, behind it, but not under. These items were very expensive way back when and it is said that spilling them would bring bad luck. I'm the 'guide' behind The Intrepid Guide, an Award-Winning site for travellers and language learners with thousands of readers, 1,000+ students, and a popular newsletter. personalized lessons. These beliefs were generally held by the women in the household, who was responsible for preparing meals or setting tables. You also wont see many Italian going outside with wet hair! Want my "9 Steps to Reach Fluency Faster" playbook? Vediamole insieme! The Chinese believe that good luck can be found in pairs. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. #22: If you cross your knife with your spoon after eating, you are indicating that the food didn't taste good and that you're wishing the cook to have bad luck. #2: Sticking a knife into a cradle's headboard is believed to protect the baby. Well, you should know that the Roman number of 17, XVII, is an anagram of VIXI, meaning I have lived. #1: Placing a knife under the bed of a woman giving birth is believed to ease her pain during labor. Never accept knives, scissors, or other sharp items as presents. To a civilization without refined metal, glass, and anything but stone tools, a nail is so useful as to render godhood to the giver! Eighteenth and Ninteenth Century British Merchant Sailors were known to pry nails out of the ships, because South Pacific Islanders would trade absolutely anything for them. Back to Ten delightfully irrational Italian superstitions More galleries IN PICTURES: Gina Lollobrigida, the Italian film star dubbed the 'world's most beautiful woman' IN PICTURES: The history of the Vespa The Italian culture has many beliefs passed down from generation to generation and even though many of them may seem absurd to an outsider, they are taken more or less seriously by natives! I know. 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. Did you know that if you are walking outside and a pigeon poops on your head, it is a sign of good luck in Italy? And when clinking glasses never cross between others. Knife superstitions have been credited with breaking friendships or even the simple solution for getting a good nights sleep. A hat on the bed is associated with eternal rest and death! 1. Frog's spawn thrown over the left shoulder for good luck. For example, in Ireland it meant a fight was going to happen soon (but of course). One variant of this superstition includes the fact that the bad luck will mean pain or stitches. Hopefully, our advancement in knowledge and understanding has put some of these ancient knife superstitions to rest! In Europe, we all share common superstitions : walking under a ladder, seeing a black cat, breaking a mirror, opening an umbrella indoors, all those widespread superstitions are told to bring bad luck. I thought we had gotten way past it! Let us be your guide to the most beautiful places in Italy. This website also participates in Google Adsense. Survival Knife Experts is financially supported by Amazon affiliate links. If you find yourself sitting at a dinner table with 12 other people, then consider yourself unlucky. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Intrepid Italian was created with YOU in mind. "La Befana". It is no coincidence that the word " sinistro" i n Italian means not only "left" but also "sinister", as in shady, or obscure. The charm, which resembles a chili pepper or a small horn, represents the horns of the Old European Moon Goddess and will bring you luck. Ill buy one now and again to stock up before they get discontinued forever. The superstition about giving a knife to a friend is that the relationship is doomed because the knife will sever the friendship. Registrations are now open to join Intrepid Italian, my new series of online video courses that use my unique 80/20 method. If you are not feeling well and under the weather, you might be inclined to want to take a nice hot bath to soothe your aches and pains. This action could have severe implications in those times when witches were drowned or burned. Never pound a nail after sundown, or you will wake the tree gods. Bad luck is trapped at the point where the two fingers meet so when we cross our fingers, we stop the bad luck from escaping and allow our wishes to come true. Tuesday, on the other hand, was already unlucky among the Romans because it was dedicated to Mars, the God of war and discord. Used under Creative Commons. #9: Some knife owners also believe that you should never close a knife (either folding it in or putting it back in its sheath) if someone else has opened it because it is bad luck. "Tocca ferro". Find out if you should buy a custom knife in the article below:Custom Knives: Should I Buy One? That counteracts any chance the knife has of cutting the ties that bind your relationship. Many countries think the number 13 is unlucky. If you break a mirror you will be the happy beneficiary of 7 years of bad luck. In Southern Italy, superstitions run rampant. This is especially true for various clubs and organizations, privately or government held. https://brookshbhm81681.blogdemls.com/6363726/--------------/ , hydroxychlor 200mg aralen phosphate chloroquine phosphate quinine for lupus, used to treat malaria chloro covid cure clorquine. 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! Most likely, this superstition arises from old beliefs in witches and their animal familiars, which were often said to take the form of domestic animals like cats. The Roman numeral for 17 is XVII, but when rearranged to look like VIXI it means I have lived, a symbol thats placed on ancient tombstones and associated with death. An old belief was that a knife placed under the mattress of a woman in labor would ease the labor pains she experienced. This means youll very rarely find the number 17 on Italian planes, streets, or in hotels, just to give a few examples. So, if you find yourself at a table of thirteen, watch your back! We share a vivid picture of life in Italy in our first-ever book. Another Italian tradition is to eat lentils (lenticchie, in Italian) on New Years Eve and January 1st. Today a site visitor might be shocked at which superstitious notions are taken seriously and which are taken with a grain of salt, so to speak. Repercussions range from illness, misfortune, harm and sometimes even death. 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. The symbolism of the knife Knives have always been seen as powerful objects. The specific ways we do things, such as setting the table for guests or placing our eating utensils on the plate after a meal, have their roots in old-time superstitions. Sleeping with a knife under your pillow gives you peace of mind that you are protected with a weapon nearby, which results in a peaceful nights sleep. We especially like traditional Japanese knives. Which of these superstitions surprised you the most? Do you follow this custom? An old proverb explains this superstition: "On Tuesday, don't get married, embark on a journey or move . They can be considered as weapons or valuables. Learn the local language with her 80/20 method for less than the cost of eating at a tourist trap restaurant Start learning today! This superstitionwhich states that one must toss a handful of salt over their left shoulder to get rid of bad luckis also common in the U.S. Theres even a lovely rhyme to help you remember: stir with a knife and stir up strife. Thrusting it into the door of a house is also believed to provide protection. As your guide, I walk you through each lesson, step-by-step, using my unique 80/20 method. To ward against it, the Italians use a good . Copyright - Our Italian Journey Blog 2015, 15 Italian Superstitions You Need to Know, So there you have it, fifteen Italian superstitions you need to know. Arguably the most famous Irish superstition, kissing the sacred stone gives you the gift of the gab. 9. So when a mirror breaks, it breaks you as well. These are not traditions. The idea is that once you cut yourself accidentally with a knife, you have a special bond with the knife.