Ciao! I'm Laura.
  • Journal
  • About
  • Writing
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Journal
  • Books
  • Podcast
  • About
    • Writing
  • Contact

Ciao Amalfi

LIFESTYLE · April 17, 2009

Attenzione – It’s Friday the 17th!

On Friday the 13th last month I was curious and asked my boyfriend if it was considered an unlucky day in Italy. I am often surprised how universal sayings, expressions and superstitions are, and I love to learn the variations. For instance, instead of saying “knock on wood,” Italians say “toccare il ferro,” which means to touch iron. As it turns out, Friday the 17th is generally considered unlucky in Italy. I wasn’t able to dig up much information, but I did find a couple of articles written on a Friday the 17th during the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino. This one talks about a few of the possible origins, but it seems to be just as hazy as the origins of Friday the 13th here in America. In Naples and on the Amalfi Coast, little horns are one of the most popular lucky charms. I have seen them made out of just about everything, from the more traditional gold and silver to ceramic in Vietri sul Mare and beautiful coral along the Amalfi Coast. I am sure many people will be wearing one (or more!) for good luck today.

Buona fortuna!


Posted In: LIFESTYLE · Tagged: Italian Traditions

You’ll Also Love

Ciao Amalfi Coast Travel Marina Grande DecemberPassing Time
10 Things That Make Me Happy
Happy Holidays from Amalfi

Comments

  1. Lola says

    April 17, 2009 at 14:24

    Brava, this is a perfect post for us superstitious folks! I love the CORNO (I have one in my handbag).
    Ciao and hurry back

    Reply
  2. Laura says

    April 17, 2009 at 15:36

    Ciao Lola! I like them as well… but it occurred to me last night that I don’t have one! I have given plenty as gifts, but haven’t given one to myself. Well, oddly enough, I have always had unusually good luck on Friday the 13th, so I am hoping it is the same for Friday the 17th! Have a good day!

    Reply
  3. Pyzahn says

    April 17, 2009 at 15:40

    Aren’t superstitions interesting. Like folklore gone bad. I haven’t seen the “lucky horns” here in the US for a while. I’ll have to keep my eye open cause I will take all the good fortune I can get.

    Bright skies to us all on the auspicious day.

    Reply
  4. Laura says

    April 17, 2009 at 16:11

    Ciao Pyzahn! I really like learning about the differences in superstitions between America and Italy. I will have to ask my boyfriend if there is anything similar to the rabbit’s foot in Italy. That has always seemed so strange to me, and I think the corno is much nicer! The sun is shining bright here in Nebraska . . . and I hope it is where you are, too!

    Reply
  5. Saretta says

    April 18, 2009 at 23:15

    Hope you survived unscathed! 🙂

    Reply
  6. Laura says

    April 18, 2009 at 23:39

    Ciao Saretta! Yes, made it out just fine. Had a lovely day in fact! Hope you did, too!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Next Post >

The Joys & Torments of Packing

Trending Now

  • ciao-amalfi-winter-things-to-do Visiting the Amalfi Coast in the Winter – 5 Things You Need to Know
  • Amalfi Coast Travel Positano Beach Spiagga Grande A Guide to the Beaches of Positano
  • Amalfi Coast Webcams New Live Streaming Webcams of Amalfi!
  • Amalfi Coast Beaches Colourful Sun Umbrellas at the Marina Grande Beach in Amalfi - Horizontal A Guide to the Beaches of Amalfi

Ciao!

My name is Laura and the Amalfi Coast is my passion and my home. I’m a writer and photographer who is endlessly inspired by the incredible beauty of the Amalfi Coast. Welcome to Ciao Amalfi!

Ciao Amalfi

  • Journal
  • Moon Amalfi Coast
  • Newsletter
  • Contact

Amalfi Coast

  • Amalfi
  • Positano
  • Ravello
  • Amalfi Coast

Explore

  • Travel
  • History & Culture
  • Food & Drink
  • Shopping

Laura Thayer

  • About
  • Writing
  • Book Reviews
  • Work with Me

Latest on Instagram

A spectacular view of a truly spectacular place as A spectacular view of a truly spectacular place as I flew out of Naples yesterday morning. A little bit delayed due to Winter Storm Olive in the midwest, but I was greeted in central Nebraska by blue skies and flocks of Sandhill cranes and snow geese. “Oh, to love what is lovely” as Mary Oliver wrote about that joyful experience of seeing snow geese golden in a sunny sky. ✨
It’s International Cat Day in Italy, but Puffy s It’s International Cat Day in Italy, but Puffy slept right through it. He’s been such a good cat since we lost Toulouse in September - we’re all still adjusting. This year Puffy will be 15! 🐈
This month’s Ciao Amalfi newsletter is out! A li This month’s Ciao Amalfi newsletter is out! A little bit of a love letter to Amalfi, an excellent book for walking by @robgmacfarlane, February on the Amalfi Coast, and one very dramatic historic photograph. Hope you enjoy the read! {link in bio}

#ciaoamalfi #Amalfi #amalficoast #visitamalfi #visitamalficoast
Woke up with the winter blues and this song I love Woke up with the winter blues and this song I love by Jack Teagarden in my head. 🎶
What 31 days of January morning walks looks like. What 31 days of January morning walks looks like. It’s been gorgeous and windy and stormy and wild - and everything in between. Should I pick a different spot to take a photo a day next month?
Non Amalfi Coast question. Do you wake up in the m Non Amalfi Coast question. Do you wake up in the morning with music or a song in your head? I do nearly every morning and it’s curious to me what shows up. Usually it’s something I’ve been listening to, but sometimes it’s really random, like someone’s left the music room door slightly ajar in the brain. This morning it was a jaunty version of “Loch Lomond” from the 1940s sung by Maxine Sullivan. (You’d think that would be from the random category but I actually listened to it yesterday.) So that’s what was swinging about in my head as I took a walk early this morning. 🎶
Happy Burns Night! I love a country that has a hol Happy Burns Night! I love a country that has a holiday for their national poet. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Here’s one of my favorite poems he wrote.

Musing On The Roaring Ocean
by Robert Burns

Musing on the roaring ocean, 
Which divides my love and me; 
Wearying heav’n in warm devotion, 
For his weal where’er he be. 

Hope and Fear’s alternate billow 
Yielding late to Nature’s law, 
Whispering spirits round my pillow, 
Talk of him that’s far awa. 

Ye whom sorrow never wounded, 
Ye who never shed a tear, 
Care-untroubled, joy-surrounded, 
Gaudy day to you is dear. 

Gentle night, do thou befriend me, 
Downy sleep, the curtain draw; 
Spirits kind, again attend me, 
Talk of him that’s far awa!
  • Privacy Policy
  • Site Disclosure

Copyright © 2023 Ciao Amalfi · Theme by 17th Avenue