When it comes to Italian superstitions, I wouldn’t say I am an overly superstitious person, but there are certain things that make me feel uneasy – and I can’t help but intervene if they happen around me!
Now, my husband, Pietro, and our son, Marco, are the rational ones in the family, so they don’t take any of these things seriously. They think I am a bit over the top. They often tease me when I bring up one of these “rules,” while I try my best to explain why these little things shouldn’t be ignored. It often turns into a playful back-and-forth, with me reacting a bit dramatically to emphasize the point – maybe with enough persistence, they’ll listen!
So here is a list of the superstitions that, as silly as they may sound, I feel compelled to stop in their tracks if they happen around me. Even though I know they are superstitions, old habits die hard! Read along and see if any of these make you feel like knocking on wood or throwing salt over your shoulder.
1. Sweeping over someone’s feet
In Italian tradition, if you sweep over the feet of an unmarried person, they are doomed never to marry. Although I am happily married, I still don’t like it when someone sweeps near my feet. It feels… wrong. Especially when it comes to my kids, I insist that no one comes near their feet with a broom – you never know!
2. Sitting at the corner of the table
Another superstition tied to marriage: if you sit at the corner of a table, you might never walk down the aisle. To this day, I avoid sitting at the corners and try to prevent anyone else from doing it too. It is not as if I believe wholeheartedly that it will affect our marital futures, but it is just one of those things that I can’t ignore.
3. Spilling salt – especially on Fridays!
Spilling salt is a big no-no. If salt falls on the ground or a surface, it brings bad luck – and if it happens on a Friday, well, that is even worse. Whenever salt spills while I am cooking, I instinctively toss a pinch of it over my shoulder to ward off any bad luck. And on Fridays, I am especially careful – if even a grain spills, it is going over my shoulder without a second thought.
4. Pouring with the “wrong” hand
If you pour with your hand turned backward, it is believed to bring misfortune. Marco has a habit of pouring water at the table with his hand the “wrong” way, and every time, I remind him to turn his hand. It is a lighthearted battle between us, with him often laughing as he “corrects” himself.
5. Early birthday wishes? No way!
One of my firmest beliefs: you must never wish someone happy birthday before the actual day. Early celebrations bring bad luck, so we only sing “Happy Birthday” on the exact day, or after, but never before. This one is non-negotiable in our house!
6. A black cat crossing your path
It is nothing personal against black cats, but if one crosses my path, I hesitate. I might even wait for someone else to cross first, just to be safe. Rational? Probably not. But when I see a black cat cross in front of me, my instinct tells me to wait a moment.
7. Knock on iron – Italian style!
In Italy, we don’t knock on wood for luck; we knock on iron! If someone mentions something I’d rather not happen – like rain on a day we have planned an outdoor event – you’ll see me quickly reach to “touch iron” and make the traditional horns gesture with my fingers. It is my way of warding off any bad luck and dispelling the negative thought. It may seem small, but it brings peace to my mind.
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- Good luck charms: Italian symbols of hope and fortune
- Why coffee is a big deal in Italy
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8. Fridays and the 17th
While the number 13 is often considered unlucky in other cultures, in Italy, it is the 17 that brings misfortune, especially on a Friday. I don’t avoid all activities on Fridays or the 17th, but if something significant falls on that day, you might find me touching wood just to be cautious!
9. Hats on the bed
In our household, a hat left on the bed is an absolute no-go. There is an old Italian belief that putting a hat on the bed brings bad luck, and it drives me crazy when Pietro or the kids casually toss their hats there. After a few initial “debates,” Pietro has learned that it is easier to just place his hat elsewhere!
10. Toasting with water
If you are going to raise a glass, it should never be water. If we are out of wine or juice, we’ll just use a drop of something else – anything but water! A toast with water is thought to bring bad luck, so even a tiny bit of wine is enough for good luck to stay on our side.
11. Broken olive oil bottles
Breaking a bottle of olive oil isn’t just inconvenient; it is bad luck. I might be even more worried about the misfortune it brings than about cleaning it up, though that part is definitely no fun either.
12. Breaking a mirror – seven years of bad luck
A broken mirror is one of the most serious omens in Italian superstition. If it breaks, there is a deep-rooted belief that seven years of bad luck follow. I can’t remember the last time this happened, but if it did, I’d be nervous for a good while.
13. Walking under ladders
Whether it is a ladder or scaffolding, I’ll go out of my way to avoid passing underneath. It’s one of those things that feels instinctual now, like a reflex to avoid potential bad luck. So if I am on the sidewalk and see a ladder, I cross the street.
14. Umbrellas indoors – never open them!
Opening an umbrella inside is almost like calling bad luck right to your door. Even if it is pouring rain, if I need to open an umbrella, I’ll step outside to do it. My family knows this one well enough by now – umbrellas are to stay closed indoors, no exceptions.
15. Wearing clothes inside-out
If Pietro accidentally wears his pajamas inside-out, it is an immediate fix. It is thought to bring bad luck, so if I notice, he is getting a gentle nudge to go and switch it. It is a small thing, but one of those habits I just can’t let go of!
16. No weddings or journeys on Venus and Mars days!
In Italian culture, there is a strong belief that one should never get married or start a journey on a Friday or Tuesday. These days are thought to bring bad luck to significant events, particularly weddings and travels. Friday (Venerdi), or “Venere” (named after Venus, the goddess of love), and Tuesday (Martedi), or “Marte” (named after Mars, the god of war), are considered risky days for such undertakings. So, if you are planning a wedding or a big trip, avoid these days if you want to keep things smooth and lucky!
Living with these superstitions is probably a bit of a relic from the past – especially because they are most common in southern Italy, where these traditions are still going strong. While many people today brush these off as folklore, I prefer to stay on the safe side and follow them. Even if it is just for peace of mind, it is worth it to me to keep them alive, and in a way, they connect me to my roots.
Thanks for hanging out with me today!
See you next time.
Valentina
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