L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 2024 www.italoamericano.org 32 L'Italo-Americano bols based on assonance, that is, to associate an object or animal with whatever it was supposed to symbolize, based on how words sound- ed: it is easy to see how the toro (the bull) became the symbol of Torino. The tradition of interact- i n g w i t h b u l l s y m b o l s i n T u r i n a n d M i l a n l i k e l y draws on the ancient beliefs we mentioned, but the rea- s o n s b e h i n d t h e s p e c i f i c action of spinning on the bull's testicles might have s t a r t e d , m u c h m o r e p r o - saically, as a humorous or irreverent gesture, only to l a t e r e v o l v e i n t o a l u c k y charm of sorts. The practice likely plays on the bull's his- torical and cultural signifi- c a n c e a s a v i r i l e a n i m a l , making the act of spinning on its testicles a symbolic plea for vitality and prosper- ity. However, others believe i t i s d o w n t o t h e r i v a l r y between Milan and Turin, as the bull is, as we have seen, the symbol of the Piedmon- tese city. Over the years, the con- tinuous spinning caused sig- nificant wear to the mosaic, with a noticeable forming where the bull's testicles are depicted: a physical imprint l e f t b y c o u n t l e s s p e o p l e , lily. T h a t s p i n n i n g o n t h e bull's testicles has been seen a s a g o o d l u c k c h a r m f o r almost two centuries is not s u r p r i s i n g , b e c a u s e b u l l s have long been symbols of s t r e n g t h a n d v i r i l i t y across various cultures, and are prominently featured in m y t h o l o g y a n d r e l i g i o u s rites. In Italy, though, the bull is also the quintessen- t i a l s y m b o l o f T u r i n , something we may like to i n v e s t i g a t e a b i t m o r e because we are curious and we love this stuff, don't we? The association between the Piedmontese capital and the fiery bovine is based on both historical and cultural reasons. Firstly, the Italian name for Turin, Torino, translates to "little bull," which highlights the intrin- sic connection between the city's identity and the ani- mal. A connection that is also heraldic, as the bull is p r o m i n e n t l y f e a t u r e d o n various emblems through- o u t t h e c i t y a n d , m o s t notably, on the city's coat o f a r m s . T o u n d e r s t a n d why, we need to take a trip all the way to the Middle Ages when said coat of arms was created. Back then, it was customary to pick sym- which highlights the tradi- t i o n ' s c u l t u r a l i m p a c t . Despite sustaining damage, the site remains a popular destination for visitors and locals alike, all seeking a stroke of good luck. B u t t h e t r a d i t i o n a l s o highlights a unique intersec- tion of commerce, art, and folklore within the context of Milan's own architectural heart, the Galleria Vittorio E m a n u e l e I I , o n e o f t h e city's key historical land- m a r k s , t h a t i s a t o n c e a grand shopping arcade, a modern cultural hotspot, and a hub of old practices and curious tales, just like that of our dancing bull. T h i s q u i r k y M i l a n e s e habit of taking three spins on an old mosaic, under one of the most iconic roofs in the country, well epitomizes how, often, traditions, cul- t u r e , a n d d a i l y l i f e h o l d hands tightly to become a real signifier of local identity continuing to engage both t h e l o c a l c o m m u n i t y a n d v i s i t o r s . W h e t h e r y o u believe in good luck charms or not, if you happen to be in Milan, go take a spin—or three, actually!—on the old bull's balls: you never know, good fortune may just hap- pen to look your way. Curious about why there is a bull on the mosaic floor of Milan's trendiest spot? Fear not, the explanation— and more—is coming. The bull mosaic repre- sents Turin, once the capi- tal of the Duchy of Savoy and later the first capital of unified Italy. The land- m a r k i s e n c i r c l e d b y t h e symbols of the three other significant historical capi- tals of the Kingdom of Italy. Milan, which was briefly the capital of the Kingdom of Italy during Napoleonic rule, is represented by its red cross on a white back- ground. Rome is depicted by the she-wolf with Romu- lus and Remus, and Flo- rence is represented by the Y o u ' r e t a k i n g a leisurely stroll in the city cen- t e r o f M i l a n , Italy's capital of elegance and fashion, when you notice people spinning on a mosaic: what on earth is going on, you wonder. T h e a n s w e r i s s i m p l e : you're seeing people partici- pating in a well-ingrained tradition of the Lombard c i t y , t h a t o f t h e f a m o u s "dancing bull," a curious and much-loved custom dat- ing back to the 19th century. This practice involves plac- ing one's heel on a mosaic depiction of a bull's testicles and spinning around three times, for a practice believed to bring good luck or even enhance fertility. The bull in question can be found in the Galleria V i t t o r i o E m a n u e l e I I , one of Milan's most famous landmarks and Italy's oldest active shopping gallery. A p r i m e e x a m p l e o f I t a l i a n architecture and culture, the Galleria was constructed between 1865 and 1877 and was named after Vittorio Emanuele II, the first king of unified Italy, to symbolize t h e c o u n t r y ' s n e w f o u n d u n i t y a n d s t r e n g t h . D e s i g n e d b y G i u s e p p e Mengoni, it was one of the earliest covered shopping galleries in the world, and p r e d a t e d o t h e r f a m o u s s t r u c t u r e s l i k e t h e E i f f e l Tower and the Statue of Lib- erty. Today, the gallery is often referred to as il salotto di Milano (Milan's drawing room), which reflects its sta- t u s a s a c e n t r a l m e e t i n g p o i n t f i l l e d w i t h s h o p s , restaurants, and cafés. It is a beautiful urban spot, where elegance, fashion, and old- school cool mingle under the same roof. Milan and the quirky tradition of the dancing bull LUCA SIGNORINI A man spins on the bull's testicles (Photo: Bennymarty/Dreamstime) The bull, with its evident "wear and tear" where people traditionally spin (Photo: Exinocactus/Dreamstime) LIFE PEOPLE PLACES HERITAGE TRADITIONS

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