An Amulet for Every Occasion: Exploring Italian Superstitions

The Evil Eye and the Horn

One of the most famous Italian superstitions is the "Malocchio" or Evil Eye. This belief holds that a malicious glare from an envious person can cause misfortune, bad luck, or even physical illness. To ward off the Malocchio, Italians often carry an amulet called a "cornetto," a red, horn-shaped charm. Its pointy shape is said to pierce the eye of the evil glare. If you don't have a cornetto handy, a common gesture to deflect the evil eye is making the "horns" with your hand (the index and pinky fingers extended) and pointing it downward.

The Unlucky Number 17

While many cultures fear the number 13, Italians consider 17 to be the ultimate harbinger of bad luck. This superstition dates back to ancient Rome. In Roman numerals, the number 17 is written as XVII. When rearranged, these letters form the word "VIXI," which is Latin for "I have lived." On tombstones, this phrase was a common epitaph, essentially meaning "My life is over." This association with death and funerals has made the number so ominous that some Italian airlines skip the number 17 on their row lists, and a famous Italian car, the Renault 17, was rebranded as the "Renault 177" when sold in Italy.

Touched by Iron: "Tocca Ferro"

Just as English-speakers "touch wood" for good luck, Italians "tocca ferro" (touch iron). The superstition's origin is tied to the ancient belief that iron, being a strong and fire-forged metal, could ward off evil spirits and bad luck. For a long time, the most common object to touch was a horseshoe, a symbol of good luck itself. In modern Italy, you'll often see people playfully reaching for anything metal—a key, a lamppost, or even an iron table leg—when they hear a potentially unlucky statement.

A Few More Curiosities

Don't put a hat on a bed: Placing a hat on a bed is a big no-no. This superstition is believed to stem from a time when priests visiting the sick or dying would remove their hats and place them on the bed.

Spilled olive oil brings bad luck: Spilling salt is considered unlucky in many cultures, but in Italy, a greater tragedy is spilling olive oil. Given its high value throughout history, wasting this precious liquid was seen as a sign of forthcoming misfortune or a serious punishment for a careless act.

Whether you believe in them or not, these superstitions are a charming and enduring part of Italy's character, a reminder that the past is never far from the present.