Italian superstitions

[Deynonichus]

Here is a superstition I just had contact with. You can't take a baby out until its been baptized and during this time you keep a broom behind the door.

I believe this does not exist. I never heard this.

[misbris]

I don't know about the broom, but since the baby (according to the Catholic Church) can't go to heaven unless it is baptized, it makes sense to keep it safe at home until then.

What about putting salt on or in something new (like a car) for good luck?

[Deynonichus]

What about putting salt on or in something new (like a car) for good luck?

I know the salt is anti-"evil eye" (malocchio). Salt goes also on the oil falls down (on table or on the floor). Oil falling down is a very bad think.
My grandfather used a sprinkling of wine to wish good luck to a new thing (especially cars).

[DeFilippis78]

Salt is used by the catholic church still today as a sacramental against evil. So it goes well and beyond just Italian superstition. Many people today get blessed salt and spread it in their homes

Alicia

[Deynonichus]

A bit of Italian superstitions:
It's bed:
-to walk under a ladder;
-Oil falls accidentally (in this case throwing a pinch of salt over your left shoulder back);
-to put bread on the table upside down;
-to move in November;
-to open the umbrella in the house;
-to go with the broom on the feet of someone (she/he will not marry);
-to put the broom behind the door;
-to get married on Monday and Friday;
-to sit at the table in 13;
-to put "feet" of the bed towards the door;
-to leave the chairs on the table at night;
and more ando more and more...but today to believe or not to believe in these things depends on the individual culture and...educational level.
Sorry for my terrible English, I'm Italian.
Bye

[DeFilippis78]

Some of these aren't just Italian superstition. Many cultures believe its bad luck to go under a ladder, the number 13, Friday, and opening an umbrella in a house is bad luck as well.

Alicia

[Deynonichus]

Some of these aren't just Italian superstition. Many cultures believe its bad luck to go under a ladder, the number 13, Friday, and opening an umbrella in a house is bad luck as well.

This is very consolatory!

[misbris]

Heard of holy water, but never holy salt.

What about no **SPAM** on the table.

Deynonichus, you are doing great with your English, we can all understand you very well.

[DeFilippis78]

Blessed salt is mainly used during exorcisms. People mainly use it if they believe there is an unholy presence in their house, like a haunting. But some people just use it in general to keep peace in their homes.It kind of goes hand in hand with holy water. You can actually buy some on catholic websites and if your lucky get some at your church or have them bless some salt you bring in

Alicia

[DeFilippis78]

LOL! Thats funny ! It just so happens to say no SPAM on the table. Like the gross meat

Alicia

[Deynonichus]

Deynonichus, you are doing great with your English, we can all understand you very well.

thank you very much!
If the word you mean with ***Spam*** is what I'm thinking...yes, it's bed to do "it" on a lay table! Besides it's unhygienic.

[misbris]

SCARPA
but if you say it in English, the website automatically delets it as spam.

It probably is also bad luck to put Spam on the table.

[Squigy]

Am I mistaken? I thought 13 was good luck to Italians, and bad luck to most other cultures.

[PeterTimber]

SQUIGY was it you who swas asking about turn of the century womens haute couture for on board and newly arrived immigrants and visitors to the USA??? =Peter=

[Deynonichus]

Am I mistaken? I thought 13 was good luck to Italians, and bad luck to most other cultures.

Oh, Yes usually 13 is lucky, it's rigth! But some times (depend on region) 13 is bed. 17 is certainly bed number, especially Friday 17.