Religious ceremonies and rituals frequently involved the use of knives, which led to spiritual-based superstitions around knives and their use. We like to learn new knowledge about knives and therefore we decided to establish this website. Men must never give their wives or girlfriends a gift of perfume. 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. Remember #5 above? Cin cin! or (alla) salute!, is what you say in Italian when making a toast. Or do you find it silly? Which one do you think is the weirdest? Every region seems to have their own version of the Evil Eye, but some take it more seriously than others. Whatever you do, never walk underneath a ladder! It doesn't matter if it's raining cats and dogs (piovendo a catinelle). One thing they seem to have in common is that the Evil Eye is caused by jealousy and envy. The logic is that a knife can symbolize the severing of a relationship, so you shouldn't give it as a gift for events, especially weddings. IMPORTANT LEGAL INFORMATIONSharpyKnives.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. A baby keeps its luck in the grimy lines of its hands. 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. 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! 1. The first comes from ancient Rome, where umbrellas were used to protect against rain and sun. Not sure good luck has come to him but it was indeed funny! When youre feeling under the weather, chances are you want to take a nice hot bath to soothe your pain. 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! 1. Whoever opened an umbrella in the house did not pay respect to the Sun God and so would risk bringing misfortune to their family. Ill buy one now and again to stock up before they get discontinued forever. According to Italian superstition, you should never raise a toast with a glass full of water, as it is considered bad luck. If you are single, be careful when a friend or family member clean the house in your presence. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. If you want to protect yourself against the evil-eye, carry a corincello charm around with you at all times. Italians believe that these evil contraptions blow dangerously cold air in your face, leading to colpo dari or a punch of air.. Whatever you do, try not to spill any salt or olive oil as it is considered very bad luck. TIP: A Swiss Army Knife is an iconic pocket knife and one of the predecessors to the modern pocket multitool. #11: In Iceland, it is believed that when a knife is dropped by someone while cleaning fish and the knife lands pointing in the direction of the sea, the fisherman will get a good haul the next time he goes fishing. An old Greek belief states that placing a black-handled knife under your pillow will prevent nightmares. Check out these moving superstitions from around the world and try your luck. As knife lovers, we all have our beliefs, superstitions, and idiosyncrasies regarding knives. The evil eye (to mati) One of the well-known superstitions in Greece but also in numerous other countries, the 'evil eye' is believed to be caused by a compliment or jealousy. JoySignals ? However, according to Italian traditions, doing this when youre sick will only make you worse. People get around this superstition by taping a penny to the blade (or in the box or card). 1. According to Italian superstitions, you should never sit at a table with 12 other diners as this will give you bad luck. If you play with a knife, the angels will run away from you, and if you play with fire, you will pee in your bed. As a native English speaker who learned Italian as an adult, I know what its like to feel hopeless and lack the confidence to speak. They can be considered as weapons or valuables. In fact, Italy is said to be one of the most superstitious countries in the world. While in some countries Friday the 13th is considered a bad omen, Italy has its own date that you should be fearful of, its Friday the 17th. Knives are considered bad luck to give as a wedding gift, since knives represent a broken relationship. We are simply looking at knife superstitions from the perspective of interest. Perhaps not during Halloween but this is not true in Italy. That stirs up trouble. And, there you have it--twenty-six beautiful representations of what it means to revere knives (perhaps a little too much?!) A black cat crossing your path brings bad luck, and so does a priest you meet on the road. You will move or leave your home if your knife turns with the blade upward. Today, this superstition is often interpreted to mean that giving knives as wedding gifts will cause the newlyweds to quarrel. This superstition is linked to an old belief that since a mirror reflects ones own image, it could therefore also trap their soul. How to choose the best survival knife for yoursituation. Thrusting a knife into the door of a house is believed to provide protection. Today, ironically on Friday the 13th, let's touch on five of my favorite Italian superstitions. To ward against it, the Italians use a good . Egyptian women pinch the bride on her wedding day for good luck. Knives have been a part of human culture, survival, and religion for millennia, so unsurprisingly, many superstitions and beliefs have arisen over the years. 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. Italians are - for the most part - superstitious. An evil eye is not necessarily malicious; it is simply a look that brings misfortune. If the knife falls and points towards land, the fisherman will not catch anything the next time he goes fishing. Another similar superstition is that you should always give a pocket knife back the way you received it. Before you take the first sip after the toast, dont forget to tap the bottom of your glass on the table! 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. Wonder why there are no air conditioners in Italy? Otherwise, it'll cause an argument. As a matter of fact, the left side has always been associated with the devil. Walk around it, in front of it, behind it, but not under. 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. One of the more popular superstitions is the Malocchio (mal=bad occhio=eye) or the evil eye. In the U.S., people will knock on wood to avoid tempting fate. Posted by Leighton Taylor on May 13, 2014. #16: It is bad luck to say the word "knife" while at sea. (Costs, Investment & More)if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'sharpyknives_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_5',108,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sharpyknives_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'sharpyknives_com-narrow-sky-1','ezslot_13',109,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sharpyknives_com-narrow-sky-1-0');This superstition implies that you do not truly own a knife until you have cut yourself with it. 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. 6. That counteracts any chance the knife has of cutting the ties that bind your relationship. #15: In Finland, a knife given as a gift is a sign of respect. 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. Impariamo insieme! A sure sign of knowing whether or not you have the curse is to drop olive oil in a bowl of water. Here are 16 knife superstitions to add to your knowledge bank. To ward off the evil eye Italians often use a gesture called le corna, horns (to do so, outstretch your pinkie and index fingers with your hand facing downwards to look like horns), or wear a lucky amulet shaped like a horn (u curnicell or cornetto). When making a toast in Italy, its considered unlucky to do it with water. If it swings back and forth, then the baby is a boy. A lot of superstitions revolve around warding off evil spirits, we collected 25 common wedding superstitions for you to consider. Caraway. Dropping things: someone is thinking of you. Every culture has its own superstitions passed down from generation to generation. The fear that the eye could carry negative influences has been associated from time to time over the centuries with cross-eyed people, gypsies, red-haired people, men who wore dark glasses, etc., often creating discrimination and racist prejudices. #7: Two knives crossed on a table will cause a quarrel. The salt one for example is very simple. 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 . A similar belief was that a knife placed under the mattress of a woman in labor would increase the chances of her giving birth to a boy. It is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. In the UK, Australia, or the US, after saying something that might attract bad luck, you would typically say Touch wood!. As a native English speaker who learned Italian as an adult, I know what its like to feel hopeless and lack the confidence to speak. I have recently seen it done in some weird American table setting guide, but it's absolutely a no-no in etiquette. The superstition about giving a knife to a friend is that the relationship is doomed because the knife will sever the friendship. This superstition relates to the Last Supper when 13 people when the 13th disciple betrayed Jesus. This probably dissuaded would-be thieves and people with malicious intent from breaking into the house. 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. To a civilization without refined metal, glass, and anything but stone tools, a nail is so useful as to render godhood to the giver! What does it mean when they say in italian ari facce? This also explains why it is common to use the right hand to shake hands, to exchange the sign of peace in church, and why left-handed children in the past were corrected by forcing them to write with their right hand, this is because the left hand was the devils hand. Learn more about Italian birthday traditions here. A cup of basil tea after dinner helps digestion. A knife, they say, will cut the ties that bind a friendship together. Yup, there should never be 13 people sitting around a table. Old or broken kitchen knives can potentially cause injury if not disposed of correctly. A loaf of bread must always be placed on a table, facing up according to Italian traditions. Let us be your guide to the most beautiful places in Italy. These are not traditions. We promise to never spam you or sell your email address. #24: In China, it is believed that sleeping on a bed with knives under it will scare away evil spirits. 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. If the needle settles into a circular motion then the baby is a girl. #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. A man hoping to get the gift of the gab Photo: iStockphoto. There are two origins of this superstition. since bread is the body of Christ, it's disrespectful (to leave Jesus on his head that is) Follow that up with never stick a knife into a loaf of bread which obviously doesn't include cutting it. 4. WELCOME TO SHARPY KNIVES!We are passionate sharpeners, Anton and John. Andrea Malossini's book - which collects over one thousand superstitious - reports, in an orderly manner, Italian superstitious beliefs along with a brief description of their origin and mening.The intent is to give the reader an idea of Italian superstitions, in a smooth and easy way, hoping, thanks to the suggestion in the titles, to . Most have their roots in ancient cultures who explained the world with stories and based belief systems on anecdotal evidence. According to the Italian Superstitions website Italyville.com here are a few: Never lay a loaf of bread upside down. Item: When a woman is pregnant, a needle hung from thread is held over the pregnant woman's palm. 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. Remember that mattresses in those days were often material stuffed with straw rather than our scientifically designed space-age comfortable mattresses. Sons were more desirable in ancient times to carry on the family line. We are passionate sharpeners, Anton and John. These beliefs were generally held by the women in the household, who was responsible for preparing meals or setting tables. Another Italian tradition is to eat lentils (lenticchie, in Italian) on New Years Eve and January 1st. Each course includes video lessons, audio exercises, downloadable worksheets, bonus guides, a private support community, and lifetime access all designed to streamline your learning while having fun. 3. 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?). This superstition is based on an old religious fact that bread is considered a symbol of life. A central aspect of Irish folklore is the wealth of traditional beliefs and superstitions that have been held by Irish people over the centuries. You can find them by clickinghere(Amazon link). 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. guaranteed, Jessica Valvano . The unknown of the afterlife meant that warriors did not want to enter the unknown without a weapon to defend themselves. Spanish Superstitions. Later in time, the term superstio was applied to the outlawed religious cults in the Roman Empire. Corno Be on the lookout for this horn . Never give a knife as a housewarming present, or your new neighbor will become an enemy. 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. (Free PDF Download). Forget Friday 13th being unlucky! So including any kind of coin did the trick with a knife gift. It is no coincidence that the word " sinistro" i n Italian means not only "left" but also "sinister", as in shady, or obscure. The importance of knives in day-to-day life meant that they became objects of superstition when things did not go according to plan and knives were involved. 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. 15 Strange Italian Traditions and Superstitions Explained. 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. Wedding Custom Superstitions Its because the number is considered unlucky. The reason for this is not exactly clear, Italians simply believe that early wishes might jinx them. If you do it, either someone will tirarti un occhiataccia (give you a dirty look) or tell you to close it and open it outside. Seriously Facebook, this woke childish, You will move or leave your home if your knife turns with, Google Tom Hardy pineapple t-shirt and look at his pockets. 1. The giver of a knife, according to many traditions and superstitions, should only offer a knife with a penny attached, which the recipient promptly gives back to the giver as a "payment" for the knife, thereby preserving their relationship (and fingers). Speaking of bad luck, knife superstitions are full of situations where knives can lead to bad luck. Learn how your comment data is processed. Top 13 Italian Superstitions. This website also participates in Google Adsense. Salt and oil should not be passed from hand to hand. The new civil union law that will hopefully pass in Italy. When your nose itches, it's either "pugni o baci," punches or kisses. This superstition may have originated in ancient times when knives were used as weapons. The glock knife is way too good and this model needs to keep being made.
Like that, the gift turns into a purchase and no harm will be done. An itching of the left eye is a sign of happiness to come. The superstition remains so well known to this day that Masakage, the Japanese knife-maker, includes a five-yen coin in . When youre in Italy, dont put a hat on a bed! As your guide, I walk you through each lesson, step-by-step, using my unique 80/20 method. In Somerset a double-yolked egg was viewed with concern as it foretold of a hurried wedding due to a pregnancy. I thought we had gotten way past it! If there's been a death in the family, superstition insists that knives should be carefully handled. We, however, think they are super cute! Start learning here! Before your Italian vacation, familiarize . At least, thats what people in ancient China believed. 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. We share a vivid picture of life in Italy in our first-ever book. They feel it is a very unlucky number although I really couldnt figure out why.