Why do italians think 17 is unlucky

In fact, the number 13 is considered good luck in Italy. Some believe that this belief started in Ancient Rome because when the number 17 is viewed as the Roman numeral XVII, and then changed anagrammatically to VIXI, it reminds Italians of the Latin language phrase that translates to "I have lived," which can be understood as, "My life is over. The unluckiest day of all would be a Friday the 17th in November because Nov.

When Friday the 17th occurs in November, it is called "the month of the deceased. Many in Italy take the day off from work on Friday the 17th to avoid leaving the house. Nor do they hold important meetings, get married, or make any major decisions on that day. Italians also carry charms, such as a small, red horn pendant, a horseshoe, or an old hunchbacked man, in their pockets or bags—or place them strategically in their homes. These luck charms all derive from the Neapolitan tradition.

The superstition even affects businesses: The Italian airline carrier, Alitalia, does not have a seat No. Here are some key vocabulary words, so you can bring unlucky Friday the 17th up as a topic with your Italian friends and family, with the Italian word or phrase on the left and the English translation on the right.

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So, if you use the phrase or the gesture, use it carefully. However, it is definitely safe to circle the Duomo and find the notorious, revengeful bull! If you love jewelry, it is important to know that you should never gift pearls to your Italian friend, family member, or romantic partner!

Giving pearls is associated with tears and bad luck so if an Italian wants pearls, they save up and purchase a set themselves. While this may seem odd to an Italian, it is certainly a gesture they would recognize. Today, the reasoning is that it is a strong and supportive material that can hold up your luck rain or shine but traditionally this action goes back to the medieval symbolism of a horseshoe.