{"id":323623,"date":"2026-06-27T22:07:33","date_gmt":"2026-06-27T20:07:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/italien.news\/?p=323623"},"modified":"2026-06-27T22:07:33","modified_gmt":"2026-06-27T20:07:33","slug":"superstition-italy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/italien.news\/en\/typisch-italienisch\/braeuche\/aberglaube-italien\/","title":{"rendered":"Italian Superstitions: the \"malocchio,\" croissants, and Friday the 17th."},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Evil Eye (malocchio<\/em>), the red crescent-shaped amulet (cornicello<\/em>) and the unlucky number 17: Superstition is very much alive in Italy\u2014and is full of little rituals that even skeptics take part in. Here are the most important symbols, numbers, and taboos you\u2019ll encounter time and again in Italy.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t

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Il malocchio: the evil eye<\/h2>\n

The malocchio<\/em> is the belief that envy or the evil eye bring misfortune\u2014headaches, bad luck, and a bad mood. Protection is offered by the corna gesture<\/a> downward, an amulet, or a pinch of salt. In southern Italy, some people \u201eread\u201c the malocchio<\/em> with drops of oil in water and perform a ritual to counteract it.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t

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Il cornicello: the red croissant<\/h2>\n

The cornicello<\/em> (also curniciello<\/em>) is a curved, coral-red crescent\u2014arguably Italy\u2019s best-known symbol of good luck, especially in Naples. It is hung on keychains, rearview mirrors, and necklaces and is said to ward off bad luck and the evil eye. According to tradition, it is important that it given away<\/strong> will be purchased, not bought by the customer.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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\"Lucky<\/div><\/a>\n <\/div>\n
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\n The secret of the Cornicello: all about Naples' famous lucky charm<\/a>\n <\/h3>\n
<\/g><\/svg><\/div> June 7, 2026<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n
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The Cornicello (also known as Curniciello in Neapolitan) is a small, red-lacquered horn amulet that has served as a symbol of protection and a good-luck charm for centuries. The name is derived from the Italian word *corno* with the diminutive suffix *-cello*...<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n <\/div>\n

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