I know. Photo by SOG. This superstition comes from a time before electricity and artificial lighting. Basically, knives meant power. #8: Some knife owners believe that you never truly own a knife unless it has "bitten" you (tasted your blood). Youll finally be able to connect with your Italian partner, speak to your relatives and enjoy authentic travel experiences in Italy that youve always dreamed of, and so much more. If youre single and you see someone sweeping the floor, make a run for it. 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. Italian Wedding Traditions and Superstitions | Grico's The idea is that once you cut yourself accidentally with a knife, you have a special bond with the knife. You could be struck with all kinds of sicknesses, most of which include headaches, dizziness, nausea, and fatigue. A small coin is the most popular "payment" given. For example, in Ireland it meant a fight was going to happen soon (but of course). Arguably the most famous Irish superstition, kissing the sacred stone gives you the gift of the gab. Today, ironically on Friday the 13th, let's touch on five of my favorite Italian superstitions. Initiation ritual (mafia) - Wikipedia The bread one is not precise. In dangerous times, a weapon close at hand can give a sense of security, allowing the mind to relax and enjoy a peaceful sleep. A rabbit's foot will bring. Handing someone a knife. As we look at some of these superstitious beliefs about knives, be aware that we in no way condone the use of knives in this way. After all, you dont want to take any chances! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. In Somerset a double-yolked egg was viewed with concern as it foretold of a hurried wedding due to a pregnancy. The salt one for example is very simple. If you play with a knife, the angels will run away from you. A black cat crossing your path brings bad luck, and so does a priest you meet on the road. In previous centuries, people who owned a knife had an important title or a certain power over others (the head of the family for example). (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
. Superstition says that spilling salt or olive oil will bring bad luck. Instead, the knife should be put down on a table and the person on the receiving end should pick it up. Review this list before traveling to Italy to make sure that your trip isnt cursed byMalocchio or the evil eye. Get her free guide 9 reasons youre not fluentYET & how to fix it! medianet_versionId = "3111299";
. The point when you give a coin with a knife is so the recipient of the blade can immediately give you the penny back. Item: When a woman is pregnant, a needle hung from thread is held over the pregnant woman's palm. Scout's honor. A superstition is defined as a notion or belief not based on science, knowledge, reason, or logic. Yup, there should never be 13 people sitting around a table. Thats because they dont want the umbrella to accidentally pop open inside the house! Took a while but i love it! The superstition about giving a knife to a friend is that the relationship is doomed because the knife will sever the friendship. It is believed that if you or someone else accidentally brushes your feet with a broom while sweeping the floor, you will never get married! Italians do not care for the number 17. 6 Knife Traditions You've Never Heard of | Knife Superstitions & Beliefs Consider the following: buy some good mascara, a floral crown, a veil, delete the knife set off your online gift registry and change your wedding day to any other day than Saturday. you're a superstitious gift giver, perhaps chose an alternative item from a couple's registry. . From religion to good and bad omens, safety and protection, there is no doubt that knives have left an indelible mark on human culture and society! 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. What Not To Eat on New Years Day - Blog.atlastravelweb.com 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. Learn the local language with her 80/20 method for less than the cost of eating at a tourist trap restaurant Start learning today! An old belief was that a knife placed under the mattress of a woman in labor would ease the labor pains she experienced. We have all seen Italians greet each other with kisses on both cheeks. 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. Ci vediamo l! I use my working knowledge of the English language to help you get into the Italian mindset so you can avoid the common pitfalls and errors English speakers make because I made them once too! 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. Learn the local language with my unique 80/20 method. Top 13 Italian Superstitions. Dropping things: someone is thinking of you. 15 Strange Italian Traditions and Superstitions Explained. Yes, the dreaded evil eye ( malocchio ), the fear of every Italian. It would be bad luck, therefore, to lay the bread upside-down on a table or counter. According to Italian traditions, its customary to eat lentils after the clock strikes 12:00. 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. Most have their roots in ancient cultures who explained the world with stories and based belief systems on anecdotal evidence. 2. 8. (Let's learn together!). http://edgarzryc36945.mybloglicious.com/25760990/ Corno Be on the lookout for this horn . I grew up making sure I didnt walk under a ladder. To this day, they rank among the most useful tools you can own. This superstition likely came from an era where personal safety was of great concern and required a weapon close at hand at all times to defend yourself. The knives production, their sharpening, and general care of knives are among our biggest hobbies. Luckily, there is a way around this - by accepting a coin in exchange. The reason for this is not exactly clear, Italians simply believe that early wishes might jinx them. Among the ancient Romans, sprinkling salt on the ruins of conquered cities meant preventing them from flourishing again (as salt makes the soil infertile). 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! Like what you see? Italian Superstitions - Madam Lichtenstein's Cosmic World 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. So when a mirror breaks, it breaks you as well. Knives have been a part of human culture, survival, and religion for millennia, so unsurprisingly, many superstitions and beliefs have arisen over the years. How to choose the best survival knife for yoursituation. #2: Sticking a knife into a cradle's headboard is believed to protect the baby. To ward off any curse, people wear charms in the shape of an eye; to remove the curse . with a knife, butter knife usualy, and then rubs the water and oil on our forheads, wrists in the sign of the cross, and then splashes it a liitle over im going to ask her to teach me . To ward against it, the Italians use a good . You know you will hear about it from family or friends if a Friday falls on the 13th of the month! So, a new teenager was supplied to each sailor each night, depending on which girls were in their fertile window at the time. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'sharpyknives_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_4',107,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sharpyknives_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');Many social superstitions regarding knives came about because of the general superstitious nature of humans in the early part of our history. Bad Luck Speaking of bad luck, knife superstitions are full of situations where knives can lead to bad luck. 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. One of the most popular and perhaps most feared superstitions is the black cat. #7: Two knives crossed on a table will cause a quarrel. I certainly hope this superstition is not valid, given the number of knives I own! However these superstitions were probably through 50 years ago certainly not now. Find Private Teaching Jobs on TakeLessons. 6 crazy and beautiful Italian superstitions - Viandando Luxury Travel If you want to protect yourself against the evil-eye, carry a corincello charm around with you at all times. Download your free PDF guide with 125 Italian travel phrases. If the handle points at anyone else, your future spouse will be dark-skinned. (Costs, Investment & More), Buyers Guide: Why & Which Swiss Army Knife You Should Buy, 5 Proven & Safe TIPS: How To Dispose Of Kitchen Knives, All Knife Sharpening Stones Types Explained & Compared. Unlike the number 13, the number 17 is considered bad luck. Today, this superstition is often interpreted to mean that giving knives as wedding gifts will cause the newlyweds to quarrel. This is how this superstition originated. Whatever you do, try not to spill any salt or olive oil as it is considered very bad luck. #6: Never stir anything using your knife (like soup or coffee) because that would bring bad luck. Learn how your comment data is processed. Photography and infographics cannot be used without permission.Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | Terms and Conditions, Language Learning for Travellers & Heritage Learners, Italian Travel Phrases Cheat-Sheet! This probably dissuaded would-be thieves and people with malicious intent from breaking into the house. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases with no additional costs for you. As a matter of fact, the left side has always been associated with the devil. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. We are passionate sharpeners, Anton and John. European Superstitions - Europe Is Not Dead! As your guide, I walk you through each lesson, step-by-step, using my unique 80/20 method. Never pound a nail after sundown, or you will wake the tree gods. Why do we give somebody a coin when they give us a knife as a gift? 4 Surprising Superstitions About Knives - BLADE Magazine Impariamo insieme! What was your superstition growing up that your mother or grandmother told you? 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! What does it mean when they say in italian ari facce? According to Italian superstitions, you should never sit at a table with 12 other diners as this will give you bad luck. It is believed that uncrossing or straightening them immediately will prevent bad luck or a quarrel from happening. All Rights Reserved. That way there is no risk of having them fall. Handing an open pocket knife to another person is considered a no-no because you will receive lousy luck in return.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'sharpyknives_com-mobile-leaderboard-2','ezslot_12',113,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sharpyknives_com-mobile-leaderboard-2-0'); This belief probably arose from someone handing over an open pocket knife and accidentally cutting the other person n the process. A baby keeps its luck in the grimy lines of its hands. For the Egyptian people, the triangle was a sacred figure. #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. Glock Field Knife FM78 Black (12161) (#165823625419) e***e (7373) Past month. 9 italian superstitions you want to know before you go - Viaggi Di Gusto Finding a button on the ground: a new friendship is on the horizon. In Italy, this is true especially when it crosses your path! It is no coincidence that the word sinistro in Italian means not only left but also sinister, as in shady, or obscure. This effectively purchases the knife from the friend, bypassing the effect of superstition. It is unclear where this superstition originated, but I suspect that a person used someones favorite knife to stir their drink, resulting in the knifes owner taking exception to this and challenging the offender! For example, some believe you should never close a knife if someone else opened it. As a symbol of good luck, in the Italian tradition, during the rehearsal dinner, the best man makes a toast with prosecco, usually exclaiming, "Per cent'anni," or "A hundred years," to wish . Well, you should know that the Roman number of 17, XVII, is an anagram of VIXI, meaning I have lived. Is it bad luck to give knives as a gift? | HowStuffWorks As knife lovers, we all have our beliefs, superstitions, and idiosyncrasies regarding knives. what its like to start from scratch and to even go back to absolute basics and learn what a verb is! The belief is usually ominous in nature or that the event can shape subsequent events or the future.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'sharpyknives_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_11',104,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sharpyknives_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); Superstitions are mostly disappearing from our society, but certain people still hold onto these traditions, sometimes without even realizing it themselves. Before your Italian vacation, familiarize . Whetheryou're a total beginner or know a thing or two about knives, browse around for info on how to choose a survival knife, what the best survival knife is (depending on your needs and the situation), pros and cons ofthe different kinds of steel and blade shapes, and lots more. So, it was a win-win solution; put a knife under the mattress to ease the pain and give birth to a son! Of course, of all tools, the knife is one of the oldest and most useful. Ease a headache by drinking tomato juice blended with fresh basil. According to Italian traditions, a loaf of bread must always be placed facing up. 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? Why does giving somebody a knife bring bad luck? Many of these beliefs can be traced to Celtic traditions that the Catholic church failed to eradicate completely. If meeting friends and you are not married, be aware of where you sit at the table. Poultry & Winged Fowl. Home General Info 15 Italian Superstitions You Need to Know. The importance of knives in our history and culture has resulted in superstitious beliefs about using knives and how they are handled. 20 Traditional Gift-Giving Superstitions | Mental Floss 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. The Romans believed the herb to be an antidepressant, and ancient Celtic warriors took it for courage. Grazie! Italian Life Rules - Superstitions, Familiar and Strange 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. The way around this superstition is to give a penny with a knife. Thats because a knife given as a gift can symbolically cut the relationship. A similar superstition states that a knife that has "bitten" its owner will retain its sharpness and won't . That stirs up trouble. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'sharpyknives_com-narrow-sky-2','ezslot_14',116,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sharpyknives_com-narrow-sky-2-0');In some cases, an eligible young woman would hope that accidentally dropping the knife would result in a gentleman caller that would be a potential suitor. The superstition about giving a knife to a friend is that the relationship is doomed because the knife will sever the friendship.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'sharpyknives_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_10',110,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sharpyknives_com-mobile-leaderboard-1-0'); 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. Italian traditions and superstitions range from fear of black cats to curses associated with spilled salt. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'sharpyknives_com-leader-3','ezslot_7',106,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sharpyknives_com-leader-3-0');Many of the superstitions involving knives relate to a time when spirits, demons, and luck were considered to play a significant role in the fate of humans. If the needle settles into a circular motion then the baby is a girl. It symbolizes a cutting of your friendship - in other words, your friend will soon become an enemy, according to Italian folklore. Below, we explore the 15 strangest Italian traditions and superstitions. 66 Funny Romanian Superstitions I Bet You Didn't Know - Travel Away The knife, a Finnish fixed blade outdoor knife called a puukko, is given to trusted employers or contacts and always presented with the handle first to signify trust and friendly intentions. So, if you find yourself at a table of thirteen, watch your back! A cup of basil tea after dinner helps digestion. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'sharpyknives_com-portrait-1','ezslot_19',126,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sharpyknives_com-portrait-1-0');This superstition says that you will not catch any fish if you drop a knife while out fishing and the knife lands with the blade pointing to the land. 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. 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. Watch where you put your left foot! In Italy, it meant an insult to the symbol of the cross. The true origins of the myth seem to be lost to time, but the meaning of the superstition makes perfect sense. This superstition is based on the religious fact that bread is considered a symbol of life, therefore, its bad luck to turn the bread up-side-down or stick a knife into it. Dropping a mirror and breaking it, no matter how tiny it is, is said to bring you seven years of bad luck. 2. That way, the recipient can give the coin to you and pay you for the knife. 1. During the sixth century, it was tradition to congratulate people who sneezed because people then believed that sneezing helped expel evil from their bodies. For example, never raise a glass thats full of water and dont cross arms with the person next to you when you clink glasses. Italians sure have an original way to wish you good luck! We'd love to have you along for the ride! Remember #5 above? Its common for people moving into a new home-especially newlywedsto rid evil spirits and bless their home by performing certain rituals, such as sprinkling salt in the corners of all the rooms. Once a knife has taken its owner's blood, the owner will never sell or trade that knife with anyone. It is best known as a curse, but can be most accurately compared to a "jinx" in America. If a cat is crossing the street, dont be the first one to cross its path, as youll have bad luck. personalized lessons. In the UK, Australia, or the US, after saying something that might attract bad luck, you would typically say Touch wood!. Thats why nowadays the act of spilling oil is considered to bring bad luck. It even comes with my famous Celebrate with a Spritz Guarantee. Some givers often tape a penny to the blade so that the receiver will simply just return it as "payment.". You see it everywhere, the cornicello charm which looks like a spicy red pepper. These "habits" are very hard to lose, despite rationality and cartesian logic. 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. Knife Superstitions from Around the World - Exquisite Knives Knife superstitions are not restricted to specific geographical locations but come from all parts of the world. 1. 12 Greek Superstitions People Still Believe - Culture Trip Whatever you do, never walk underneath a ladder! If you want detailed destinations guides, languages learning tips, and travel phrase guides, then you've come to the right place! Its believed that black cats are a symbol of witchcraft and the devil. Irish Folklore: Traditional Beliefs and Superstitions - Owlcation 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?). But because they have played such a central role in the lives of millions of people, its not surprising that interesting knife traditions and knife superstitions have developed over the years. colpo dari is not unch of air it is air blow. Luckily, tossing a pinch of the spilled salt over your left shoulder or dabbing a bit of spilled oil behind each ear is believed to prevent the misfortune. Another similar superstition is that you should always give a pocket knife back the way you received it. Wedding Custom Superstitions medianet_width = "600";