L'Italo-Americano

www.italoamericano.org 8 THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2022 L'Italo-Americano S u p e r s t i t i o u s o r not, don't we all l i k e t o t i p t h e odds in our favor w i t h a l i t t l e s p r i n k l e o f g o o d l u c k – especially these days? Every c u l t u r e h a s i t s g o - t o l i s t of good luck enhancers, but when it comes to Italian m e t h o d s , t h e w a y s a n d m e a n s a r e p l e n t i f u l a n d o f t e n v e r y c r e a t i v e . W i t h choices that include sayings, charms, gestures, and more, there's a good luck booster to cover any situation! Perspective comes into p l a y w h e n c o n s i d e r i n g a good luck charm or gesture – are we looking for a strat- egy to increase the chances of a favorable outcome, or are we grasping at ways to w a r d o f f s o m e t h i n g o m i - n o u s ? I f s p r e a d o u t f o r review, a sizeable number of Italian customs related to luck are designed to fend off malicious scenarios. Philo- sophical discussion might reveal theories to explain this point of view, but quite simply it may just be the relationship with supersti- tion and its ancient roots - something long embedded in Italian culture. In fact, t h e f i r s t m e n t i o n o f t h e Latin word superstitio is n o t e d i n t h e w r i t i n g s o f Roman historian Livy (b. 43 BC) and poet Ovid (b. 59 B C ) i n t h e c o n t e x t o f a n irrational fear of the gods, as opposed to the practice of religio - worship and belief in a fitting manner. Contemporary superstitions may not have any apparent connection to religiosity, but their origins are knotted t o t h e a p r o n s t r i n g s o f a n c i e n t i d e o l o g y a n d t h e customs that go with them. Scaramanzia and the practices that bring it about are as well-known as first cousins in most Italian fam- ilies. The idea is ingrained at an early age to employ all means to ward off the sinis- ter in hopes of gaining the blessings of Lady Luck – who happens to have Italian roots and is formally known as the Roman goddess For- tuna, the deity of wisdom and prophecy. T h e m e n u o f g o o d luck/ward off evil options is vast; they are just too plen- tiful (maybe that's a good thing) to cover the spectrum in one sitting. For manage- ability's sake, we'll enlist the help of Leonardo's Vitru- v i a n M a n . I m a g i n e t h e graphic as a sort of Pin-the- Tail-on-the-Donkey game, the various portafortuna (good luck charms) pinned accordingly to how they're enacted. I'm sure Leonardo wouldn't mind a topic such as this! La testa – the head Off the top, quite literal- ly, is the warning of nonni (grandparents) everywhere: do not lay a hat on the bed. Traditionally, a priest would visit the home of the dying to say last rites. He'd place his hat on the bed to don his vestments, and thus…hat on the bed equals inviting eter- nal rest. Why take a chance! I t ' s t r u e , t o o , t h a t o n e ' s head serving as a bullseye to b i r d p o o p r e a l l y i s a s e g n o f r o m a b o v e – a blessing! Next, the eyes. Beware of b e i n g c a s t t h e e v i l e y e , or malocchio, by an envi- ous person's lingering stare. Should it happen, the bad energy can be deflected by w e a r i n g o r d i s p l a y i n g a cornetto, a typically red, horn-shaped amulet. Leg- e n d s a y s t h i s c h a r m i s a spin-off of pagan phallus symbology, a post-Constan- tine replacement of sorts of something equally powerful b u t l e s s l i k e l y t o c a u s e charges of indecent expo- sure. Luck can be verbalized, too. It's as easy as offering "In bocca al lupo" - In the mouth of the wolf – to wish one success. But for t h e m a g i c t o w o r k , t h e y must respond with "Crepi!" – may the wolf die. Another articulated good wish is "In culo alla balena", mean- ing rather frankly "in the ass of the whale." Be pre- pared for the reply…"Spe- riamo che non caghi" – we hope it won't crap! Eating can bring prosper- ous fortune as well, when it comes to lentils served on New Year's Day. The coin- l i k e s h a p e o f l e n t i c c h i e help render an affluent year according to superstition. Mangia! L a p a r t e s u p e r i o r e corpo - the upper body H a s a l a d y b u g e v e r l a n d e d o n y o u r s h o u l - der? Che fortuna! – lucky you!! In Italy, the tiny bee- tle's visit is a positive omen, b u t w h y ? T r a d i t i o n s a y s the c o c c i n e l l a ' s 7 spots represent the Virgin Mary's 7 sorrows, or maybe red is just a lucky color. Whichev- er, just be sure not to acci- d e n t a l l y s m a s h o n e … o r else. Hands serve as the vehi- cle for many good luck/bad l u c k p o s s i b i l i t i e s . W h o doesn't love to raise a toast with friends and family, but beware: there are some crit- ical rules to abide by. Never raise a glass of water, never c r o s s a r m s w i t h a n o t h e r when clinking glasses, and be sure to tap the base of your glass before taking the first tipple. You forgot one of the rules? No worries - just reach out and knock on something iron to keep luck on your side. If you are of the clumsy s o r t , b e w a r e o f s p i l l i n g oil – an action that brings bad luck. Historically, oil was a pricey substance and not to be wasted; however, redemption is found by dab- bing a bit of oil behind the ears to set things straight. Remember that protec- tive red horn, the cornet- to? A hand gesture of the same name will also ward off unsavory vibes. Pinky and pointer finger extended in "rock on" style with the hand facing downward will keep any maleficence away, should it cross your path. A crotch grab by the fellows will work, as well, but might be a bit less refined. It must also be noted, while on this p o r t i o n o f t h e V i t r u v i a n M a n , t h a t w e a r i n g r e d underwear is a New Year's Eve requirement in Italy if there's any chance of good fortune awaiting. I piedi – the feet I s n ' t a r a b b i t t h e o n l y thing associated with feet and luck? Not so in Italy. If saying "I do" is high on your l i s t , b e w a r e t h e b r u s h o f a broom across your feet. S h o u l d i t o c c u r , y o u ' v e effectively been cancelled from ever being swept off your feet. Heed, too, how you get o u t o f b e d , m a k i n g s u r e the right foot lands first. T h e l e f t f o o t w a s l o o k e d upon as bringing ill fortune even by the Romans. Latin for left is sinistro…sinister. Need we say more? Y o u ' l l n e v e r n e e d t o worry about your feet carry- ing you to the 17th floor of a building in Italy: the num- ber is considered menacing (while number 13 is lucky) and is typically omitted… just in case. As an old song says, with a l i t t l e b i t o f l u c k t h i n g s might just go your way. Now y o u k n o w h o w t o t i p t h e scale Italian style! PAULA REYNOLDS Spilling oil is a sin in Italy! It's believed to attract bad luck (Photo: Mwiens/Dreamstime) Get Lucky – Italian Style LA VITA ITALIANA TRADITIONS HISTORY CULTURE

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