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

Italy Magazine Blogger Awards | Ciao Amalfi Nominated as Best Travel Blog!
Pomegranate Seeds & Memories
Photo Friday: Salve

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 Beaches Colourful Sun Umbrellas at the Marina Grande Beach in Amalfi - Horizontal A Guide to the Beaches of Amalfi
  • Amalfi Coast Webcams New Live Streaming Webcams of Amalfi!
  • Amalfi Coast Travel Positano Beach Spiagga Grande A Guide to the Beaches of Positano

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

The blue hour in Amalfi this evening. 💙 The blue hour in Amalfi this evening. 💙
Today is an unspeakably sad day for the Amalfi Coa Today is an unspeakably sad day for the Amalfi Coast after the tragic bus accident this morning in Ravello where Nicola Fusco, a young bus driver only 29 years old, lost his life. Investigations are currently underway to determine the cause and I won’t share the upsetting details. The road to Ravello is currently closed and it’s not clear when it will reopen. Nicola was a kind, talented, and experienced driver—the third generation of drivers in his family—a family very close to ours. My husband has been a guide with all three generations and watched Nicola grow up. This is something that shouldn’t happen, shouldn’t ever happen, but it’s something we all fear here. Our hearts are with the Fusco family and to everyone who Nicola’s life touched. 🖤
It sounds like New Year’s Eve outside with firew It sounds like New Year’s Eve outside with fireworks and celebrations for the Naples soccer team wining the championship for the first time in 33 years. To say this is a big deal for the fans doesn’t even begin to describe it. I’ve been watching videos from Amalfi, Sorrento, Ischia and all around Campania. Here was a quiet moment in Atrani before the celebrations began. ⚽️
Requisite Vespa shot with a twist. Let the 6-month Requisite Vespa shot with a twist. Let the 6-month check-ups begin! 🏥

#breastcancersurvivor #breastcancer #tumorealseno
Finally a break in the rain today in Amalfi! Time Finally a break in the rain today in Amalfi! Time to stop and admire the rain puddles.
From my tiny home in the middle of Amalfi, you can From my tiny home in the middle of Amalfi, you can’t see the sea. Growing up in the Midwest and Florida and then spending 12 years with a sweeping view of the sea here from Scala, I’ve long been accustomed to watching the weather. A storm coming feels like danger while a storm passing by out at sea is exhilarating - close enough to capture the energy but not to cause harm. 

Since we moved down the mountain to Amalfi, the main thing I’ve missed is being able to watch the weather. When the weather turns stormy it’s a gamble on whether a break in the rain will last a few moments or long enough to take my favorite walk along the port, out and back each of the piers. While I don’t mind a walk in the rain, if the wind is blowing too strong for an umbrella, timing the break in the rain becomes more essential. 

This morning I woke early to rain pouring down, but before long there was a break. Would it be long enough? I checked the weather app on my phone to see the temperature and forecast. But, like water to a cormorant, I’ve always been a little bit impervious to numbers. Given the chance, my favorite forecast is by stepping outside. I opened the door and stuck my head out. Far above the seagulls were swirling around, their calls a reminder of just how close the sea is even when I can’t see it. As they taunted and laughed at the weather high above, it seemed like a break I could trust.

I slipped on my shoes and jacket and headed out for a pre-breakfast walk. I didn’t make it all the way to the end of the port before sprinkles arrived, but ducking through the arched passageways and side streets I made it home just before the gulls were hushed and the rain came down again.
This morning while watching the swallows swoop and This morning while watching the swallows swoop and swirl over the sea, I looked up and caught this moment of dark and light. It made me laugh since I had just been thinking about how each day we have a choice how we go into the day. Which side are you on?
  • Privacy Policy
  • Site Disclosure

Copyright © 2023 Ciao Amalfi · Theme by 17th Avenue