It is best known as a curse, but can be most accurately compared to a "jinx" in America. Past month. Copyright 2023 Sharpy Knives - Passionate Sharpeners, Custom Knives: Should I Buy One? Item: When a woman is pregnant, a needle hung from thread is held over the pregnant woman's palm. A black cat crossing your path brings bad luck, and so does a priest you meet on the road. This superstitionwhich states that one must toss a handful of salt over their left shoulder to get rid of bad luckis also common in the U.S. Knives as Wedding Gifts. It was believed that a knife stuck in the front door of your house would protect you from your enemies and thieves.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[468,60],'sharpyknives_com-netboard-2','ezslot_18',127,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sharpyknives_com-netboard-2-0'); It is likely that a knife stuck in the front door indicated that the homeowner is armed and dangerous, so enter at your own risk. Knives were also part of a mans weaponry used in battle or defense of himself or his family. Wait until someone else crosses its path first! Find out if you should buy a custom knife in the article below:Custom Knives: Should I Buy One? There are two origins of this superstition. 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. When youre in Italy, you should be careful when pouring olive oil on your salad, you dont want to be cursed by spilling it! Here are some common superstizioni GOOD LUCK: Seeing a spider at night: a sure sign of monetary income. TIP: Cutting boards are an essential accessory for kitchen knives, but many people have a love-hate relationship with cutting boards. During the sixth century, it was tradition to congratulate people who sneezed because people then believed that sneezing helped expel evil from their bodies. Your email address will not be published. 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. So, it was a win-win solution; put a knife under the mattress to ease the pain and give birth to a son! Today, this superstition is often interpreted to mean that giving knives as wedding gifts will cause the newlyweds to quarrel. Instead of knocking on wood, tocca ferro or touch iron! The division between good and bad days was already known in Ancient Rome, where a distinction was made between dies fasti, literally glorious or legit days (when justice could be administered) and dies nefasti, meaning ominous days. Our first book, "Our Italian Journey," was written during our year in Italy experiencing the seducing charm of the country. Don't worry about reading a Top 13: in some countries, 13 is thought of as an unlucky number, but in Italy 13 is a lucky number. You know you will hear about it from family or friends if a Friday falls on the 13th of the month! KRUDO Knives, providing expertly designed knife and tool solutions for everyday situations. "La Befana". Knives also became a status symbol, with only the rich able to afford high-quality knives, many of which were adorned with precious metals or gemstones. This belief is also linked to horses which were frightened by the devil-like eyes of cats while travelling at night. According to tradition, when priestsvisited the dying to give them their last rights, theywould remove their hat and put it on the bed. For example, in Ireland it meant a fight was going to happen soon (but of course). Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this post. Among the ancient Romans, sprinkling salt on the ruins of conquered cities meant preventing them from flourishing again (as salt makes the soil infertile). 2. 1. Superstitions about knives come from an age where a lack of understanding required an explanation for unexplainable events. If youre single and you see someone sweeping the floor, make a run for it. The Italian culture has many beliefs passed down from generation to generation and even though many of them may seem absurd to an outsider, they are taken more or less seriously by natives! Putting a hat on a bed is considered unlucky because its associated with death. In fact, Italy is said to be one of the most superstitious countries in the world. If you play with a knife, the angels will run away from you. Traditional Irish Folklore. According to Italian superstition, you should never wish someone buon compleanno or tanti auguri (this is how Italians say for happy birthday), before their actual birthday. Before you take the first sip after the toast, dont forget to tap the bottom of your glass on the table! That way, the recipient can give the coin to you and pay you for the knife. The person who opened it must close it to avoid bad luck. Please check your inbox to confirm your email. To a civilization without refined metal, glass, and anything but stone tools, a nail is so useful as to render godhood to the giver! Planning a trip? This effectively purchases the knife from the friend, bypassing the effect of superstition. Thats just one example. 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 . To this day, they rank among the most useful tools you can own. If it swings back and forth, then the baby is a boy. 1. The Evil Eye (Malocchio) They say to drop olive oil in a bowl of water and if it forms one large drop you have the Malocchio. Speaking of bad luck, knife superstitions are full of situations where knives can lead to bad luck. There are plenty of strange Italian superstitions, irrational beliefs and practices that all aim to ward off bad luck. That way there is no risk of having them fall. Another thing to avoid is having thirteen people sitting at a table! Want my "9 Steps to Reach Fluency Faster" playbook? This idiomatic expression is as widespread as the most traditional Buona fortuna (good luck). Sacrilegious. To prevent this from happening, the recipient should give a "payment" to ensure that the relationship will not be cut. Italians sure have an original way to wish you good luck! It is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. 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. Find Private Teaching Jobs on TakeLessons. As a matter of fact, the left side has always been associated with the devil. Unlike the number 13, the number 17 is considered bad luck. Borage. When the ship was restocked, each man said goodbye to his 30 or so girls, and told them, You have known a god intimately! Some of us grew up that it is a sign of good luck if a black cat crosses your path. Copyright KRUDO Knives, INC. | All rights reserved | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Design By iFame Media, Assets That Hold Value During Uncertain Times, 6 Hobbies for Guys That Arent Video Games, Selling a pocket knife is a problem? 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Looking back at my childhood in Ireland, I find it amazing . What about you? How we got here is the subject of our second book, "When Your Heart Finds Its Home," now also available on Amazon. The similarity of these beliefs from two distant parts of the world shows how different cultures placed the same value and significance on knives. This is just a sample of the many unique Italian traditions and superstitions. 1. So, its accepted practice in many cultures, even today, to include a coin with your gifted knife. If the knife is given to a friend, money must be exchanged as well. Wedding Custom Superstitions This superstition actually dates back to the Vikings who believe that gifting a knife to someone implies that the receiver isnt able to buy himself a good enough knife to kill the giver so he has to be given the knife for free. Some consider this a bad omen as the use of the past tense implies that death is just around the corner, and therefore it stands for bad luck. Learn how your comment data is processed. Available on Amazon. Let me know using thecomments section below or join me on social media to start a conversation. 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. 9 reasons youre not fluentYET & how to fix it. According to tradition, when priests came to visit the sick on their deathbed to receive their final confessions, they would remove their hat and set it on the bed so that they could put on the vestments. : ( ) It is believed that if you or someone else accidentally brushes your feet with a broom while sweeping the floor, you will never get married! A toast is always done with champagne or wine. #22: If you cross your knife with your spoon after eating, you are indicating that the food didn't taste good and that you're wishing the cook to have bad luck. Sleeping with a knife under your pillow gives you peace of mind that you are protected with a weapon nearby, which results in a peaceful nights sleep. If meeting friends and you are not married, be aware of where you sit at the table. (Romania) A dropped knife means a man will visit. Lets have a look at the top 5 most famous superstitions still used today in Italy! Bad Luck Speaking of bad luck, knife superstitions are full of situations where knives can lead to bad luck. medianet_width = "600";
Thats because they dont want the umbrella to accidentally pop open inside the house! #7: Two knives crossed on a table will cause a quarrel. This superstition may have originated in ancient times when knives were used as weapons. If, however, the falls with the blade pointing out to sea, you will have a good catch that day! Italian-American Superstitions The Evil Eye: Malacchio While jealousy exists in all cultures, Malacchio is a curse that can be put on a person without even meaning to. . Luckily, there is a way around this - by accepting a coin in exchange. For the Christians the triangle represented the concept of the Holy Trinity and crossing a ladder meant breaking the sacredness of the Holy Trinity. Salt was extremely expensive in the inner part of Italy. #26: Some knife owners, particularly those in the Philippines, believe in coating the blade with their blood if they accidentally cut themselves with it. People get around this superstition by taping a penny to the blade (or in the box or card). An Italian superstition says that when you get out of bed you should always place your right foot first and then your left one. "Tocca ferro". A sure sign of knowing whether or not you have the curse is to drop olive oil in a bowl of water. guaranteed, When it comes to shaking hands, Italians consider it bad luck to cross their arms when shaking someones hand. 1. You will never find an Italian putting his or her hat down on a bed. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. While some still hold these to be true, KRUDO Knives likes to err on the side of caution & recommend you not try anything that may cause harm or fights with your friends & family. A similar superstition states that a knife that has "bitten" its owner will retain its sharpness and won't . The belief is usually ominous in nature or that the event can shape subsequent events or the future.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'sharpyknives_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_11',104,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-sharpyknives_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); Superstitions are mostly disappearing from our society, but certain people still hold onto these traditions, sometimes without even realizing it themselves. Get her free guide 9 reasons youre not fluentYET & how to fix it! Italy is home to many weird and wonderful superstitions, with many still practised by Italians today. Do you follow this custom? Consequently, the islanders wanted their most beautiful virgins to conceive offspring by them, as many as each sailor could sire during the one-month period of restocking supplies available on the islands. So in addition to providing the recipient a chance to symbolically buy the blade with a coin, the coin provides good luck to cancel out the bad luck of the knife. JoySignals ? 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. Hes definitely. An Italian superstition says that when you get out of bed you should always place your right foot first and then your left one. Black cats are thought to be a sign of bad luck. Learn more about how to say cheers in Italian on different occasions without making a faux pas. Caraway. Superstition says that spilling salt or olive oil will bring bad luck. You can unsubscribe at any time. The rarity and the consequently high cost of salt gave rise to a number of beliefs in the ancient world. TIP: Knife sharpening stones, or whetstones, come in such a wide variety that it can be challenging to choose the best stone to sharpen your knives. The origins of this belief are unclear, but perhaps the knife under the mattress provided firmer support than the mattress alone, which helped ease the pain. Also, dont forget to wear red undergarments, as this too will bring you luck in the coming year. Given that there are still people living on earth who will mistake another human for a god if he has a knife (something of such unimagineable utility it could only come from a god) its understandable how such superstitions persist. Thus, to avoid the intended insult, Vikings would sell a knife to a friend extremely cheap the cost of one copper coin. These beliefs were generally held by the women in the household, who was responsible for preparing meals or setting tables. What does it mean when they say in italian ari facce? Many of these beliefs can be traced to Celtic traditions that the Catholic church failed to eradicate completely. If the knife's handle comes to rest pointing at you (or whoever is asking the question), then that means your future spouse will be fair. For similar reasons, a pocketknife should be handed to someone only if it's closed. We like to learn new knowledge about knives and therefore we decided to establish this website. They can be considered as weapons or valuables. Perhaps not during Halloween but this is not true in Italy. Like any group of fanatics, we knife lovers are not immune to superstitions, so, to embrace knife fanaticism, today I bring you 26 superstitions all about our most beloved subject: knives. #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. Today, ironically on Friday the 13th, let's touch on five of my favorite Italian superstitions. We use knives to prepare food, eat, hunt, defend ourselves, or even as an everyday tool that we carry with us. The charm, which resembles a chili pepper or a small horn, represents the horns of the Old European Moon Goddess and will bring you luck. To avoid bad luck, Italian gypsies never steal pearls, coral, or silver. Cultural Context: It is believed that passing a sharp item between two people will lead to a physical altercation or a friendship cut short. If a cat is crossing the street, dont be the first one to cross its path, as youll have bad luck. The knives production, their sharpening, and general care of knives are among our biggest hobbies. A man hoping to get the gift of the gab Photo: iStockphoto. 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. According to Italian superstition, you should never raise a toast with a glass full of water, as it is considered bad luck. With a long heritage of custom designed hunting, fishing and tactical tool development we understand the importance of getting it right every time. Check out these moving superstitions from around the world and try your luck. The reason for this is not exactly clear, Italians simply believe that early wishes might jinx them. Another good reason to not eat chicken or turkey on New Year's Day is that . Jessica Valvano . A rabbit's foot will bring. Repercussions range from illness, misfortune, harm and sometimes even death. We, however, think they are super cute! If knives are on your registry, just give the gift giver a penny . 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. You should avoid eating anything with wings on New Year's Day because it is believed your good luck will "fly away" with your meal. According to Italian traditions, a loaf of bread must always be placed facing up. The slight mistranslation in Christ Stopped at Eboli. bestens ! medianet_crid = "318442627";
Knife superstitions are not restricted to specific geographical locations but come from all parts of the world. When 17 is viewed as the Roman numeral, XVII, and then changed anagrammatically to VIXI (just change the position of numerals), you will get your answer! #10: Bad things will happen if a knife falls and sticks into the floor. After 30 days of using Intrepid Italian, if you dont want to celebrate your new-found Italian skills with an Aperol Spritz, you dont have to pay a penny! These "habits" are very hard to lose, despite rationality and cartesian logic. Like what you see? Youll finally be able to connect with your Italian partner, speak to your relatives and enjoy authentic travel experiences in Italy that youve always dreamed of, and so much more. This old Chinese belief is similar to the Greek superstition about sleeping with a knife under your pillow. 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. That counteracts any chance the knife has of cutting the ties that bind your relationship. Whetheryou're a total beginner or know a thing or two about knives, browse around for info on how to choose a survival knife, what the best survival knife is (depending on your needs and the situation), pros and cons ofthe different kinds of steel and blade shapes, and lots more. Ci vediamo l! If you are walking outside and a pigeon poops on your head, it is a sign of good luck in Italy. #14: A knife made of steel is believed to protect you against curses and fairies. Sharpening a knife in low light can result in a poorly sharpened edge which will not cut well or possibly damage the blade. This superstition is still very much alive today, even among theatre actors, who never bring a real mirror on stage to prevent it from breaking. Corno Be on the lookout for this horn . Never cross objects in the shape of a crossfor example, your fork and knifeas this is considered to be an insult to the religious symbol of the cross and will bring you bad luck. Yet another pocket knife superstition is that you should never close a pocket knife that someone else has opened, or you will have bad luck. There is a superstition to never grab or pass a knife from hand to hand. Grazie! Italians believe that these evil contraptions blow dangerously cold air in your face, leading to colpo dari or a punch of air.. Every culture had their own traditions for what to include in a tomb or coffin for the dead to take with them into whatever lies beyond.
