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[...All the superstitions around the world gathered in Naples and multiplied since his credulity is the result of ignorance, poverty and misfortunes that have alternated in Naples by the various attacks of cholera and eruption of Vesuvius in 1872].   

The 'superstition' indicates the belief, irrational, that future events can be influenced by specific behaviors or objects, without there being a particular causal relationship between them. When superstition is based on the hearsay of an evil power of the people, we speak of 'malocchio' (evil eye). It is the ability to provide, voluntarily or involuntarily, damage or injury through a sort of negative energy is thrown through the eyes, an action that in Neapolitan dialect is called 'jettare' (throw) and hence the term 'jettatura' (evil eye).

The "jettatura napoletana" (evil eye Neapolitan) is a particular ideology born in Naples, in the late eighteenth century. In late 1700 and throughout 1800, there are many stories that tell of "jettatori" (Evil Eye Man), including the one that tells of the visit to the court of King Ferdinand IV, of Andrea De Iorio, renowned archaeologist. The king, happy to get a figure of such importance, just heard of the fame enjoyed by Evil Eye is very worried. It so happened that the next day, the king died! Despite the likelihood of death due to natural causes, given the age of the king, from that day the reputation of De Iorio Evil Eye, was strengthened even more.

There are many spells and amulets used to neutralize the 'evil eye' today: the hunchback (that touch the hump takes well), the iron horse, the number 13, the crown of garlic, chilli pepper, the salt, but especially the horn and the horns (designed as a gesture superstitious).

This amulet is the most homes in Naples. Its origin dates back to the Neolithic period, when the inhabitants of the caves used to hang the door of the huts as a wish for fertility.  The horn has powers of removal of evil influences and bad luck, provided that complies with certain characteristics, must be:
 - red (in the Middle Ages this color symbolized the victory over the enemy);
 - hand made (in order to acquire the beneficial power from the hands that produced it);
 - donated by someone and never buy it for themselves;
 - be tough (hard), vacancy (empty), and bend with a tip.

Since ancient Greek and Roman art were used to protect against evil spirits and propriziare fertility and prosperity because of their pointed shape that would act as a defense. It is used to make the horns thrown back in order to back the wish of bad luck!

The originality of the superstitions in Naples is related to lottery games, which spread in 1682. To have the "right numbers, " the Neapolitans rely on the 'Book of Smorfia', whose name is derived from Morpheus, greek god of dreams and sleep. The Smorfia is the interpretation of dreams and everyday events in terms of numbers to play Lotto.


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Renaissance Naples Hotel Mediterraneo
Via Ponte di Tappia 25 - IT 80133 Napoli
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