Art, Culture & Lifestyle Italy is a country where superstitions reign: from lucky charms to those always wearing the same clothes or shoes for a big event…And let’s face it, you also have your own “just in case” rituals, don’t you?! The origins of such folk beliefs are the most varied: from Ancient Rome to our grandparents’ rural tradition. They have been handed down through generations, up to our days. And we bet in the future there will always be someone counting the misfortune years coming after breaking a mirror! For all the superstitious out there, we are here to give you all the useful tips and secrets to drive away any bad luck. We will go through the most popular beliefs, the story behind and most importantly, the remedies! Let’s find out some new dos and don’ts!
IT’S NOT TRUE… BUT I BELIEVE IT TOO! - ITALIAN FOLK BELIEFS AND REMEDIES SLEEPING CAN BE MORE DANGEROUS THAN YOU EXPECT!
The bed is our sacred place, the place where we leave our thoughts behind and give ourselves a well-deserved rest at the end of the day. But that’s not all. Have you ever been told that the position you sleep in might not be the right one? According to popular belief, especially in southern Italy, it is advised to avoid sleeping with your feet facing the door. This position is in fact the same one in which deceased people are left to “rest”. Not only will this position bring bad luck, but it is also considered disrespectful towards the people who are no longer with us. However, this is not the only Italian belief regarding our sleep. Many believe that leaving a hat on the bed is bad luck for whoever sleeps in it. In the past, when someone was ill and would call for either the doctor or the priest, these people would usually come to take care of the ill and in the haste would leave their hats on the bed. This is why leaving a hat on a bed is a bad sign as it reminds of an eternal rest rather than a nap.
DO NOT OPEN THE… UMBRELLA!
In Hong Kong, always remember to take your umbrella with you before leaving the house. However, in Italy, remember not to bring your umbrella with you when entering the house! According to an all-Italian belief, opening umbrellas indoors not only would be an inconvenience but would also bring a significant amount of bad luck. The origins of this superstition are several. One dates back to Ancient Rome when umbrellas were used as protection from both rain and sun. Whoever dared to open an umbrella indoors was not respecting the God of the Sun and therefore would bring a great deal of misfortune to the family. Later on, the superstition evolved into the idea that opening umbrellas indoors would bring financial troubles, as umbrellas were used to plug holes in damaged roofs. The last and creepiest origin behind the superstition is that the shape of an umbrella is similar to a canopy, a tent that is usually held over the head of the priest who brings the final rituals to people on their deathbeds. This is why you should hurry to go buy an umbrella stand so that no one will bring an open umbrella to your house!
