St. Patrick’s Day typically conjures images of Ireland’s emerald landscapes, four-leaf clovers, and the legendary pot of gold at the rainbow’s end. But while the Irish may be celebrated for their association with luck on March 17th, Italy has its own rich tradition of fortune-seeking customs that have shaped its cultural identity for centuries. Let us dig into them!
Unlike the Irish leprechaun who might grant you three wishes, Italians have developed a practical relationship with luck through everyday rituals and superstitions. From the northern Alps to Sicily’s southern shores, Italians embrace a variety of traditions designed to attract good fortune and ward off the “malocchio” (evil eye).
The “cornetto” (little horn) amulet serves as Italy’s iconic lucky charm. These red (or gold), horn-shaped pendants originated in Naples but have spread throughout the country. Similar to how the Irish carry shamrocks for protection, many Italians keep a cornetto nearby—hanging from rearview mirrors, attached to keychains, or worn as jewelry—to deflect misfortune.
While the Irish consider seven a lucky number, Italians gravitate toward different digits. The number 13, often considered unlucky in other cultures, is actually associated with good fortune in Italy. Conversely, the number 17 strikes fear in Italian hearts, similar to how 13 affects others, due to its Roman numeral (XVII) rearranging to spell “VIXI”—Latin for “I have lived” or “my life is over.”
Food plays a central role in Italian luck traditions. While the Irish might enjoy corned beef and cabbage on St. Patrick’s Day, Italians ring in the New Year with lentils, symbolizing coins and prosperity, and cotechino sausage, whose richness represents abundance. Grapes eaten at midnight promise good fortune for each month of the coming year.
Hand gestures for protection against bad luck abound in Italian culture. The “corna” (horns) gesture—extending the index and pinky fingers while holding the middle and ring fingers down with the thumb—is made when encountering potential bad luck scenarios. It’s Italy’s version of the Irish practice of saying “knock on wood.”
This St. Patrick’s Day, consider incorporating Italian luck customs alongside traditional Irish celebrations. Wear a cornetto alongside your shamrock, enjoy lentil soup before your Guinness, or learn to make the corna gesture while saying “sláinte.”
Both cultures remind us that luck isn’t just chance—it’s finding meaning in the everyday and creating rituals that connect us to a sense of control in an unpredictable world. Whether through an Irish blessing or an Italian “buona fortuna,” the human desire to attract good fortune travels across cultural boundaries.
So this March 17th, as the world turns Irish for a day, remember that the pursuit of luck is universal—it just speaks with different accents! Do you have any good luck customs? Share in the comments below!
