Neapolitan superstition isn't just a collection of folkloristic rituals: it's a veritable unspoken language that accompanies the daily lives of Neapolitans. In this city, where history is intertwined with superstition, certain apotropaic gestures—gestures intended to ward off bad luck—are deeply rooted in popular culture and often used without even thinking. In this journey through the main Neapolitan superstitious gestures, we'll discover the origins of gestures like making horns, touching wood, and other rituals that many repeat to attract good luck or ward off bad luck.
Making horns: chasing away bad luck with a symbolic gesture
The gesture of making "the horns" is probably the most famous of Neapolitan superstitious gestures. It consists of raising the pinky and index fingers while keeping the other fingers closed, often accompanied by a determined look or a slight downward movement. This gesture is used to protect oneself from jettatura, or bad luck, or the evil eye, especially when speaking about something positive, for fear it will be "ruined."
The origins of this gesture are ancient and, in the context of Neapolitan superstition, the downward-pointing horns serve explicitly as protection, while different directions or meanings can transform it into an insult within other European cultural contexts.
Touch wood: immediate protection against bad luck
Another widespread gesture is to touch wood (or a metal object) with the intent of "blocking" a potential bad luck event or discharging negative energy. This ritual is so ingrained in daily life that it is often performed without thinking, for example after uttering a phrase invoking good luck or fearing bad luck.
This superstitious gesture is not only a physical act, but also a symbolic way to invoke a sort of almost instinctive protection, reflecting how superstition manifests itself in the daily behavior of Neapolitans.
The Hunchback and the Scartellato: Touching Your Luck When You Meet It
Among the many curious superstitions of Neapolitan superstition is the one associated with the so-called "O scartellat," a hunchbacked person. According to Neapolitan folk tradition, meeting a hunchbacked person can bring good luck only if you touch or brush his hunch.
This gesture, which may seem strange to those not immersed in Neapolitan culture, is an example of how ancient beliefs and superstition coexist in the streets of Naples, where the line between buffoonery and spiritual protection is very thin.
Sprinkling salt and other minor but significant gestures
In addition to the great classics, there are numerous other Neapolitan superstitious gestures linked to simple yet meaningful gestures. Among these, the following stand out:
- Sprinkling salt over your back to ward off bad luck, a ritual that stems from the ancient belief that salt is a symbol of purity and protection.
- Avoid walking under a ladder or crossing paths with a black cat, behaviors that in many Italian cultures, particularly in Naples, indicate possible misfortunes to be avoided.
- Vocal formulas and incantations, often spoken in a whisper, which accompany physical gestures to enhance protection against the evil eye and bad luck.
These small gestures complete the mosaic of Neapolitan superstition, demonstrating how deep and layered the popular tradition linked to good luck and bad luck is.
Neapolitan superstitious gestures
Neapolitan superstition
SOURCE EDITORIAL TEAM
Comments (2)
Superstition is a strange thing sometimes, but it's part of everyday life. Gestures like making horns or knocking on wood seem absurd, but they can bring comfort to those who believe in them, even if they don't always understand why.
The article discusses some very interesting Neapolitan traditions. Superstitious gestures are part of the local culture and often go unnoticed by non-Neapolitans, but they have profound meaning for the people who practice them.