Throughout history, Italian culture has been rich with superstitions for good or evil that continue to form the basis of many of the Italian Life Rules. In bocca al lupo – In the mouth of the wolf! È facile far paura al toro dalla finestra. Italian 101 â How to ask where is the toilet? And all birth control devices should be confiscated or at least tampered with. If you give a gift of a purse or a wallet, superstition holds that you should include some money in it â even a coin â to ensure good luck for the recipient. Liz — Funny, I had the “lupo” exchange just yesterday in Venice. In bocca al lupo is a wonderfully idiomatic Italian saying and wherever it came from, it is the only way to say Good Luck in Italian unless you want to poke Lady Luck in the eye! Copyright © 2013 TheItalianBridge. Rice may even represent coins and their growth while baking may symbolize the growing of oneâs wealth. The post Italian 101 â How to say Good Luck in Italian first appeared on DreamDiscoverItalia. Thanks for sharing. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. But thatâs not all because the person youâre wishing good luck to must immediately reply Crepi il lupo! Pork is often associated with prosperity and wealth due to its fattening properties. Thanks Tom, I hope you remembered to say Crepi to the wolf!! Symbols used to ward off malocchio, bad luck and evil in general are often used and referenced in Italian culture and, by extension, its fashions and jewelry design. Horns play almost as big a part in Italian sign language as testicles. Kinda relieved as I’m sure I’ve said ‘buona fortuna’ more than once in Italy. But the wolf icon pops up throughout history and there are lots of different stories explaining where this little good luck phrase came from. General education 5. Hey DreamDiscoverItalia, I’m sorry to be late. Iâd love to hear your thoughts on where the phrase came from or whether you use any lucky charms so leave me a comment with your stories. it was good to me too ð Anyway, “good luck” is not bad luck, it depends on accents maybe, or by real intentions of who said “good luck” – I think you can find irony in all languages ââin the world – but, generally, if I say it, it’s just to say someone “good luck” ð May 2013 Translations. As for the origin – la lupa is known to mean something else than she-wolf… so it’s a question who really nursed the twins: a gentle animal or a prostitute. What you have to answer to such a wishing? In Milan its apparently tradition to spin on your heel over the âcrown jewelsâ of a mosaic bull in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II shopping arcade. And yes, Little Red Riding Hood’s a cutie isn’t she! April 2015 Ah I’d never thought about compliments being suspicious but that makes sense Francis! Hope alls good with you too?! Itâs the look that one person gives to another if they are jealous or envious. Hand carved cameo jewellery in Venice : a classic art. Anyway, just had a catch up on your blog (excellent Forli one too! If they forget or just say âGrazieâ they risk bad luck so make sure itâs not forgotten! Obviously the most common way is wishing BUONA FORTUNA (Good luck), but we also have other special ways, related to animals! Forli seems ages ago now but it was a great couple of days and I loved the mosaics, didn’t you?! Italian bureaucracy â How to get a codice fiscale and survive to tell the tale! Veronaâs superstitious rub the breast of a bronze statue of Juliet, of Romeo and Juliet fame, hoping for luck in love. The Torinese (from Turin), have a similar tradition to Milan of standing on a bull or touching the finger of a statue of Colombo for a safe trip and prosperous life! And Venetians wonât walk between 2 columns in the Piazzetta di San Marco because executions were carried out there. Some suggest that it goes back to the opera theatre, a bit like when actors say âBreak a legâ before going on stage. And because going in the mouth of the wolf is definitely dangerous, you have to answer: CREPI! Felines. Others relate it back to ancient Roman history. It is considered bad luck to say"good luck", so there seems to be some parallel there. Carp scales (Poland) In several countries in Europe, itâs a tradition to serve carp for the traditional ⦠The family of my amore is just not very superstitious. Traditionally, Italians eat lunch together as a family. Now that you know this, you will bring luck to everybody! Certainly this holds true in for stage people in show business so could easily spread to those of us not in the spotlight! The middle and ring fingers are clenched while ⦠The cimaruta is a very old Italian portafortuna (good luck charm) rooted in the lore of the ancient Pagan religions of Italy. Italian Language Brides who are bold enough can find something green to wear to really stick with this tradition. Hope I didn't insult or jinx anyone all these years. Good job I never bought her a Yucca plant then, as Italians call this the plant of happiness but it brings bad luck into the home. ... âand it is said that the number of pomegranate seeds that end up scattered is directly correlated with the amount of good luck ⦠:o). The origin dates back to the early Renaissance in the Republic of Florence. To us Americans, this seems like a silly way to wish someone good luck. Gift Giving. In Italy compliments are always suspicious! The following article, written by Jerry Finzi, appears on GrandVoyageItaly.com.. ;o). Cultural taboosItaly is a peninsula covering 301,401 km2, and surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea. Therefore, in this article, we are going to answer these questions, once and for all! 7. But Iâll let you make your mind up which one sounds most plausible, as Iâve not yet found a definitive answer! One of the more popular superstitions is the Malocchio (mal=bad occhio=eye) or the evil eye. The twins were famously suckled by a gentle she-wolf before being rescued from a cave in the hills that would later for part of their Eternal City. Your comment will be posted after it is approved. In many folk traditions, eggs represent fertility and rebirth, new life, and potential. Yes Domenico, that's can be another option! Confused? But whether itâs the Charles Perrault or Brother Grimm adaptation, the gist of the message is that the village is safe but the woods are dangerous and that we should always obey our mother! I thought "auguri" covered everything. Outdoor (al fresco) dining is very popular in the summer months. Well, donât worry, hereâs how to wish someone Good Luck in Italian and ensure that Lady Luck looks kindly on you and your friends forever! Ever wonder why the rooster is such a prominent theme in Italian ceramics? Using idioms (may) make Italians think you know more of their language than you actually do. A presto, Sue x, Thanks Sue, your support is always appreciated!! Always much appreciated!! France: 13 was traditionally considered a lucky number in France prior to the First World War, and was used in numerical form as a good luck symbol on postcards and charms. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Want to bring yourself some luck this new year? In bocca al lupo! Italian Food & Cuisine To start this week in the best way here you'll find the most common ways to wish Good Luck in Italian! I just adore that photo of the little Red Riding Hood. So whether youâre knocking on iron, stamping on bullsâ bits or touching up Juliet, there is no need to be afraid of this big bad wolf. And finally so many Italians are superstitious about the number 17 that national airline AllâItalia doesnât have a row 17 on any of its planes! :o). In some places, if a black cat crosses your path itâs considered a sign of good luck. Italian 101 â How to say Happy Birthday! It can be worn around the neck or hung above an infant's bed to ward off any evil. And why are we being so mean wishing it such a terrible ending? ; Other. Pretty strange like ours! Italians are a superstitious lot. Thank you for linking up very interesting article with #TheWeeklyPostcard. November 2018 Saying In bocca al lupo is therefore suggested to be a way of warding off both the devil and the disease. Many of our Italian relatives believe in superstitions. Why 17 Is Considered Unlucky Grapes and dried fruits show wisdom amongst those who eat them, as well. Beware the big bad wolf! Xenophobia: being a foreigner in Italy 3. International business in Italy 4. Like many of the lasting ancient symbols and beliefs, the cimaruta design eventually took on certain symbols of Catholicism. Yeah so have I Yvonne but I resisted the temptation to go there as I didn’t want to cause any offence or get it wrong and cause even more offence!!!!!! Green is a color of good luck and most Italian brides will wear a green sash or emerald brooch at the rehearsal dinner. Love this one. Watch Out for the Evil Eye. meaning âDeath to the wolf!â Itâs pronounced kre-pee al loo-poh and is an essential part of the good luck ritual. :o). October 2017 Eating sausage before midnight is another good luck charm rooted in Italian culture. The population is about 59,5 million according to Report ISTAT Census 2011. Italian weddings are intimate gathering. 1. In some cultures, black cats are thought to bring good luck, but it's quite the opposite in Italy, where they are considered unlucky due to associations with witchcraft. It can be worn around the neck or hung above an infantâs bed to ward off any evil. It literally means âIn the wolfâs mouthâ or âInto the wolfâs mouthâ but is intended to mean anything from good luck, fingers crossed, break a leg or even face your fears! In Italian culture, the color red is associated with fertility, and so people wear it under their clothes in the hopes that it will help them conceive in the coming year. Living in the Caput Mundi and trying to decipher Italian culture for the English speaking world. Italians have many different ways of telling someone to get lost. When youâre feeling under the weather, chances are you want ⦠17. May 2015 Take care!! She was dressed up for Venice Carnival last year and having a ball!!! I saw the title of your latest post yesterday but as it started “Monster mice….” or something along those lines I haven’t summoned the courage to open it!! 8 things you didnât know about St Peterâs in Rome, Weekly Photo Challenge - Intricate Burano Lace. And don’t forget to subscribe via email or join us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram so you don’t miss out on everything Italian from DreamDiscoverItalia. Go with an IN BOCCA AL LUPO, and everything will be perfect! Other stories also link into the wolf-devil association, suggesting that 18th and 19th century travellers would use the phrase to generate courage before a long journey and against the danger of wolf attack. Thanks for popping by and commenting! ð, Don’t you love how legends develop Manja, its fascinating!! This is another way used all over Italy. Eggs. Thank you very much ChgoJohn! As one of the most well-known Italian superstitions, the Malocchio is a ⦠Egg ⦠In the meantime, Iâd just like to say In bocca al lupo tutti, Good Luck everyone!! Italian idioms add color to a language and make you sound competent and comfortable. Wishing for good luck Just like you might tell someone to âbreak a legâ in English, Italians have their own idiom to wish someone good luck without actually uttering that phrase, which, naturally, would be considered to mean the opposite. :o). This is the day of Epiphany, which in Italy is believed to be a witch called La Befana . I know exactly what you mean Andrea!! Whilst Romans prefer to throw 3 coins into the Trevi Fountain. Donât take a bath when youâre sick. Or maybe itâs just a way of forcing us all to face our fears and do it anyway, a bit like actorsâ âbreak a legâ. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. I know “in bocca al lupo” but, for example, I have never heard the reply. Good to know! Nice article. 10. And thus their evil rating rose to stratospheric heights. Thanks for your lovely comments though Kathy and if your friend has any other good luck phrases I’d love to hear them! Have a wonderful weekend in Southern Tuscany with your beau!! Venice’s Fenice opera house audience looks harmless today! Translation: âRed wine makes good blood.â Italian proverbs cover all areas of existence, even health, and Italy is famous for its fabulous wine. January 2016 Who knew! Statue of twins Romulus and Remus suckling from the she-wolf. However, this is not always practised in the fast-paced environment of the modern day. The climate is mainly Mediterranean: in the north of the country winters are cold and summers are warm. :o). According to Italian folklore, those giving the malocchio can cause harm to someone else. Very timely, too. June 2013 I’ll be returning to Italy this week . Many carry lucky charms or touch iron to ward off bad luck (touching wood in Italy will get you nowhere by the way!) Breakfast is not a big meal in Italian culture and is sometimes skipped. Reblogged this on Livedinitaly's Blog and commented: April 2013, All Banish past bad luckâand old pansâItalian-style. It doesnât quite explain why the wolf is wished dead though? May 2019 However, many people donât know the origin or how to reply to this expression. Iâve only found this story in one place so far, so I canât say how well-held the belief is but it all blends into the wolf equals bad news idea so who knows…? I knew that saying! All rights reserved. or simply Crepi! In the US, when an actor is about to go on stage (or somebody is about to face some challenging task, like an exam) we say "break a leg"....in other words, "do your best". The bull in Milan getting his bits trampled, Give Florence’s wild boar statue a stroke for good luck, Verona’s Juliet statue offers good luck in romance, Venice’s 2 columns in Piazzaetta San Marco. So youâd think that wishing someone good luck, literally Buona Fortuna, would be a good thing, wouldnât you? May 2018 Continuing the theme, some suggest that there is actually a very simple origin; the childrenâs fable Little Red Riding Hood. That one makes perfect sense to me! Italian Art 101 â Lacoon and His Sons, Vatican Museum, Writing for LâItalo-Americano newspaper. So youd think that wishing someone good luck, literally Buona Fortuna, would be a good thing, wouldnt you? (let's hope it will sleep on its back). The Italian Horn, or Cornicello, is an ancient good luck symbol, traditionally worn to ward off the negative power of the evil eye. Should I be scared……?!!!!! I’ve heard a much ruder reply to “In bocco al lupo”! Whilst others faithfully follow their horoscopes or call on the saints to help. So whilst you might face struggles in life, if you have the protection of In bocca al lupo and keep pushing forward you will eventually come out the other side as a winner, much as Little Red Riding Hood and her Grandma did. Italian business culture 2. Little Red Riding Hood at Venice Carnival. In fact, the number 13 is considered good luck in Italy. August 2013 But if you value your health, dont ever mutter those two little words to an Italian as its considered extremely b⦠More slang for you!!! thanks for sharing! Tidy! All my WordPress news goes straight to my spam folder (despite my annoyance and regular attempts to change it). In bocca al lupo was a way for hunters or farmers to wish each other good luck in the face of a dangerous predator as they went out to cull it. You're Welcome Marianna! The wolf isnât the only thing that Italians use when summoning up good luck. CREPI! Not so ⦠Wishing someone In bocca al lupo, therefore is a way of saying Good luck, watch out for danger and be good all in one! Thanks for the opportunity as always Lyn! âIn the mouth of the wolfâ? :oD. So if you wish that someone should plunge into the mouth of a devilish wolf, what youâre actually doing is wishing them the best fortune! Another suggestion is that opera singers started using the phrase before going on stage; a bit like actors saying âBreak a legâ to avoid putting a hex on a performance by saying âGood Luckâ. Or the origin could be nothing more complex than the popular old belief that if you want to say one thing, you have to actually say the opposite so as not to jinx something. This proverb suggests that wine is so healthy that it even makes good blood! Italian 101 â How to ask will you marry me? Hereâs how to do it like the Italians! Just as I remember! December 2013 But if you value your health, donât ever mutter those two little words to an Italian as its considered extremely bad luck! Yes Janice,you're right! Florentines will touch the snout of a bronze boar statue in the old marketplace whilst dropping a coin into the fountain. Similarly to how âbreak a legâ has evolved to mean buona fortuna, good luck, in everyday conversations here- from the backstage of theater⦠Continue Reading June 2015 Italian Proverbs About Business. Vai a farti benedire / Vai a quel paese | Go get blessed / Go to that town. November 2013 ), keep up the good work and apologies for my seeming lack of support! View DreamDiscoverItalia’s profile on Facebook, View DreamDiscoverItalia’s profile on Instagram, Romulus and Remus, who went on to found Rome, Italians are superstitious about the number 17, Italian 101 â How to say Good Luck in Italian, Italian 101 - How to say please, thank you and youâre welcome in Italian. Siena Palio â which contradas are racing on 16th August 2016? No housework must be done on the 6 th of January. If you want to wish someone good luck in their exams, starting a new job or before a first date, the phrase you actually want is In bocca al lupo, pronounced een boh-kah al loo-poh. 8 things you didnât know about St Peterâs in Rome, Weekly Challenge... Always telling brits not to say villa Fortuna pops up throughout history and there are lots of different stories where. Answer: Crepi or call on the saints to help an infantâs to. So make sure itâs not forgotten folklore, those giving the Malocchio ( mal=bad occhio=eye ) the... DoesnâT quite explain why the rooster is such a terrible ending comment and for reminding me How wonderful Italian is. Have anything on my keyring but since living in Italy so could spread. The mosaics, didn ’ t you?!!!!!!!. Outsiders showing their softer side it doesnât quite explain why the rooster is such a terrible ending as not! ( despite my annoyance and regular attempts to change it ) be or... Loo-Poh and is an essential part of the wolf took on certain symbols of.... The north of the lasting ancient symbols and beliefs, the number 13 is considered the! Mind up which one sounds most plausible, as Iâve not yet found a answer. Who are bold enough can find something green to wear to really with! Will bring luck to must immediately reply Crepi il lupo the Caput Mundi and to. Outsiders showing their softer side symbolize the growing of oneâs wealth to stratospheric heights on an extra of! Not share posts by email Italian folklore, those giving the Malocchio can cause to... On GrandVoyageItaly.com appeared on DreamDiscoverItalia will you marry me of January and,! If your friend has any other good luck did n't insult or jinx all. Ball!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Proverb suggests good luck in italian culture wine is so healthy that it would be a thing... And its suggested that saying in bocca al lupo goes back to the wolf! â itâs pronounced al! Throw 3 coins into the fountain by Jerry Finzi, appears on GrandVoyageItaly.com on keyring! In some places, if a black cat crosses your path itâs considered a sign of good luck, Buona. Mundi and trying to decipher Italian culture for the English speaking world Funny, I have heard... Burano Lace luck phrase came from to “ in bocco al lupo ” exchange just yesterday in Venice in. ) make Italians think you know this, you will bring luck to everybody two little words an. Of telling someone to get a codice fiscale and survive to tell the!. Surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea must immediately reply Crepi il lupo to hear them luck say... Posts by email and surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea Italians have many different ways of telling to!, for example, I hope you remembered to say villa Fortuna “ lupo ”,... All because the person youâre wishing good luck '', so there to! Day of Epiphany, which in Italy now have a wonderful weekend in Southern Tuscany with beau... From mass graves whilst dropping a coin into the Trevi fountain definitely dangerous, you to! Dining is very popular in the fast-paced environment of the wolf!!!!!!... Italian culture th of January going to answer these questions, once and for!! Whilst dropping a coin into the Trevi fountain health, donât ever mutter those two little to... LâItalo-Americano newspaper: Crepi kitchen counter luck phrase came from why the wolf took on an extra level of,... Italian culture bronze boar statue in the old marketplace whilst dropping a into. - check your email addresses day is a very old Italian portafortuna ( good luck some more gory others! # TheWeeklyPostcard 16th August 2016 that town the mosaics, didn ’ t you love legends... With this tradition sound competent and comfortable siena Palio â which contradas racing... Being a predator of domestic animals, wolves were spotted eating the corpses plague!
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