The number 13 is considered lucky in Italy. Associated with the Great Goddess, fertility and the lunar cycles, the number is thought to bring prosperity and life — quite the opposite view than that of the western world.
While in Italy the number 13 doesn’t hold the same negative connotations as it does in North America (it’s actually seen as good luck), a day like Friday the 13th always seems to bring up discussion of superstitions and bad luck on this side of the pond.
Common Italian superstitions include not putting a hat or new shoes on a bed or table, not toasting with water and never pouring wine with your left hand. Seventeen is the bad luck number in Italy and if you’re single don’t sit at the corner of the table if you ever hope to wed. Owls are bad luck and you shouldn’t keep peacock feathers in your home (something about the eye of the devil). Of course, one of the most pervasive superstitions has to do with the Evil Eye.
The idea of the Evil Eye or malocchio is one that has been found in many cultures stretching back to ancient times. In countries like Turkey, for example, you’ll find eye symbols over doorways and on jewelry to this day. In North America the horseshoe we now often associate with luck started off in England and Ireland as an amulet mean to signify strength and to protect people, homes and barns from evil.
Credit : Life in Italy
Picture Credit : Google
