Just published recently is a wonderfully curious and compelling little dictionary published by Antonio Vallardi Editore by the author, Andrea Malossini, entitled Il dizionario delle superstizioni italiane. Malossini explores Italian superstititions and explain their significance, whether they are good or bad luck and how they differ in interpretation from region to region. Black cats, horse shoes, horns and other aspects of daily life can have a special significance in Italian. Even bread can be superstitious if you put it upside down on the table, so make sure that loaf of bread is always facing up...or else!
Malossini combs the alphabet and has entries so hundreds of different things, from common household items to animals and more. Also compelling was how superstititions varied from region to region in Italy. While one thing might bring bad luck in the north, that same thing might have an opposite significance in the south. The Sicilians might find one thing to be a portent of doom, those those Romans might see it as a bringer of luck and good fortune!
You'll be surprised at what can be lucky or unlucky in Italian culture!
(I'll never treat bread the same way again!)
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