1. LEGENDS

2. FEAR THE EVIL EYE We are Italians and sometimes we are complicated people. The older ones are ardent believers in the Catholic Church. On the other hand, a large chunk of the population, especially in the south, believes in the malocchio or evil eye. It happens when someone wishes bad on you and gives you an evil look that has the power of an evil spell. People make children wear red underwear at weddings, family gatherings, picnics, etc. The red was supposed to ward off the evil doers. When bad things happens people probably have the malocchio. Then, an aunt or a granny will put drops of oil in water, chant something, and look at the design of the oil and water mixture and will take away the malocchio. Malocchio is only something man created because he needed a scapegoat for hardship.

3. THE CORNO ITALIAN HORN AMULET The corno or cornicello is an Italian amulet of ancient origin. Corno means horn and cornicello means "little horn" -- these names refer to a long, gently twisted horn-shaped amulet worn in Italy to protect against the evil eye. Cornicelli are usually carved out of red coral or made of gold or silver. The type of horn they are intended to copy is not a sheep or goat horn but a twisted horn. These amulets are found in Italy and in America among descendents of Italian immigrants. Catholics contrast the continued use of cornicelli even if in Catholic symbolism they are related to the Virgin Mary, who is shown standing on a lunar crescent. Here is the giant red plastic corno surmounted by a gold-toned crown.

4. WHAT DO THINK ABOUT THIS LEGEND? DO YOU LIKE RED?

5. LA BEFANA La Befana (the Epiphany) is one of Italy's oldest and most celebrated legends. Each year on January 6 the Italian children awake hoping that La Befana has made a visit to their house. The day I very important for Italians because it marks the day that the three Wise Men arrived at the manger of the Christ child. The legend tells that the three Wise Men were in search of the Christ child when they decided to stop at a small house to ask for directions. Upon knocking, an old woman holding a broom opened the door and saw three men who were in need of directions to find the Christ child. The old woman was asked to go with them but she declined because she had much housework to do. As she had missed the opportunity to meet Christ child. Each year she stops at each child's house to leave those who were good treats in their stockings and those who were bad a lump of coal.

6. OUR LUCKY NUMBER IS 13 WHILE THE BAD ONE IS 17

7. The Italian concept of lucky and unlucky numbers is different from other parts of the world. Italian still hold the belief of lucky 13 especially when gambling.

8. 13

9. The number 17 is considered unlucky for at least two reasons, both having to do with how it is written. When 17 is written using Roman numerals XVII, it can be rearranged to spell the Roman word VIXI meaning "I have lived" and was found on ancient tombstones. When written using Arabic numerals 17 is still considered unlucky since it resembles a man hanging from a gallows.

10. Here it is!!!!! 17