Myriad superstitions have been passed down over the generations, many of them rooted in pagan traditions and religious beliefs.
Food is at the heart of Italian culture, so it’s no surprise that countless superstitions relate to food and dining.
Firstly, it’s considered extremely bad luck to sit at a dinner table with 12 other people.
This superstition is motivated by religion, as there were 13 people at the Last Supper – Jesus and his 12 apostles – including Judas, who later betrayed Jesus.
To make matters worse, it’s also believed that Judas was the thirteenth person to be seated.
If an occasion for toasting arrives, be sure to never toast with a glass full of water, as this is considered bad luck.
Look people in the eyes as you toast with them and make sure you don’t sit your glass down before taking a sip.
Bread is traditionally a sacred food resembling the Body of Christ, and has a history of providing sustenance to people struggling to survive.
In Italy it’s crucial to always sit bread the right side up, and to never waste bread unless it’s completely stale, a superstition which is derived from the sheer significance of this product in Italy’s long history.
It’s also believed to be bad luck if you spill olive oil or salt.
This superstition dates back to when both olive oil and salt were considered luxury items and salt was used as a form of currency, so it may have originated to encourage people to be more careful when dealing with the precious products.
If you do happen to spill olive oil or salt, you must toss a pinch of salt over each shoulder or rub a drop of oil behind your ears to avoid any misfortune coming your way.
But it’s not all bad luck.
In fact some foods are said to bring good luck, and lentils are traditionally eaten at midnight on New Year’s Eve to bring financial fortune in the year to come.
Other common superstitions are associated with particular numbers.
While the number 13 is considered bad luck in many cultures, it’s actually a good luck symbol in Italy, as it’s associated with the goddess of fertility and lunar phases.
The number 17, on the other hand, is not so lucky.
One of the reasons the number 17 has gained an unfavourable reputation is by the way it’s written in Roman numerals. When displayed in Roman numerals as XVII, the number 17 can be rearranged to depict the Roman word “VIXI”, which means “I have lived”.
“VIXI” is written on many historical tombstones, and for this reason the number 17 has gained a strong association with death over the generations.
While these are only a few of the hundreds of superstitions that regulate everyday Italian life, they provide a clear idea of just how devoted locals are to the strong beliefs and values that have become embedded in their culture over centuries of reinforcement.
