The smorfia (smorfia means "grimace" in Italian) is a traditional Neapolitan practice used to interpret dreams as numbers from 1 to 90. According to superstition, betting on these numbers can lead to winning the lottery. Whilst originating in Naples, the Smorfia is used throughout Italy.
Whilst it has it has uncertain origins, its name is said to derive from the Greek god of dreams and sleep, Morpheus. Other theories state that its name comes from the Greek word "morphos", which means structure or form.
It may have origins in the Jewish mystical practice of Kabbalah, particularly through gematria. The Neapolitan definition of cabala, however, differs from the traditional meaning and refers to wider supernatural practices. The 16th century Kabbalist Israel Saruk is credited with influencing the Neapolitan's usage of the word cabala in relation to smorfia.
It originated as an oral tradition before being transcribed into books. These books often contain illustrations to accommodate the illiterate. Whilst the traditional Neapolitan smorfia only contains 90 dream interpretations, modern smorfia books often contain thousands.
Culture The smorfia is linked to the superstitious gambling culture of Italy. The numbers are often used in conversation as a euphemism for taboo topics, such as calling someone a 22 instead of a madman.
Due to the lottery being banned in Italy during religious holidays in the 18th century, many Neapolitan families decided to play at home, leading to the creation of tombola. Italian tombola uses the numbers 1 to 90, corresponding to the smorfia. The caller will often mention its symbols whilst drawing the numbers.
In his series of paintings "IX Mediterranean Seas" depicting nine cities across the Mediterranean, the Spanish painter Pedro Cano depicts Naples using the 90 symbols of the smorfia.
The comedy troupe La Smorfia, consisting of Lello Arena, Massimo Troisi and Enzo Decaro, derived its name from this practice.
The traditional Neapolitan smorfia numbers NºEnglishNapoletanoMetaphorical meaning1ItalyL'Italia2Girl'A criatura3Cat'A jatta4Pig'O puorco5Hand'A mano6The one that looks towards the groundChella ca guarda 'nderraThe female sexual organ7Clay vase'O vasetto8Madonna'A Madonna (pronunciato "Maronna")9Offspring'A figliata10Beans'E fasule11Mice'E surice12Soldier'E surdate13Saint AnthonySant'AntuonoThe day dedicated to the saint in the Calendar of Saints14Drunk'O 'mbriaco15Boy'O guaglione16Buttocks'O culoFortune17Bad luck'A disgrazzia18Blood'O sanghe19Laughter'A resata20Party'A festa21Naked woman 'A femmena annuda (pronunciato "annura")22Madman'O pazzo23Idiot'O scemo24Guards'E Gguardie25ChristmasNatale26Saint AnneNanninellaThe day dedicated to the saint in the Calendar of Saints27Chamber pot'O càntaro28Breasts'E zizze29The children's father'O pate d ' ' e ccriatureMale sexual organ30The Lieutenant's balls'E palle d ' ' o tenenteTesticles31Landlord'O patrone 'e casa32Eel'O capitone33Age of ChristL'anne 'e Cristo34Head'A capa35Small birdL'auciello36Castanets'E castagnelle37Monk'O monaco38Beatings'E mazzate39Hanging'A funa 'nganna40Boredom'A paposcia41Knife'O curtiello42Coffee'O ccafè43The woman on the balconyOnna ô balconeA woman who exposes herself 44Prison'E cancelle45Good wine'O vino bbuono46Money'E denare47Deadman'O muorto48Deadman who speaks'O muorto che pparla49Meat'O piezzo 'e carne50Bread'O ppane51Garden'O ciardino52Mother'A mamma53Old man'O viecchio54Hat'O cappiello55Music'A musica56Falling'A caduta57Hunchback'O scartellato58Gift'O paccotto59Hair'E pile60Lament'O lamientoComplaining61Hunter'O cacciatore62Murdered deadman'O muorto acciso63Bride'A sposa64Tailcoat'A sciammerìa65Crying'O chianto66Two spinsters'E ddoje zetelle67The squid in the guitar'O purpo into'â chitarraSexual intercourse68Cooked soup'A zuppa cotta69Upside downsott'e 'ncoppa70Palace'O palazzo71Shit manL'ommo 'e mmerdaAn evil or reprehensible person72Wonder'A maraviglia73Hospital'O spitale74Cave'A rotta75PulcinellaPulecenella76Fountain'A funtana77Devil'E diavulille78Beautiful daughter'A bella figliolaA prostitute79Thief'O mariuolo80Mouth'A vocca81Flowers'E sciure82Laid table'A tavula 'mbandita83Bad weather'O maletiempo84Church'A chiesa85Souls of purgatoryLl'aneme d''o priatorio86Shop'A puteca87Fleas'E perucchie88Caciocavallo cheese'E casecavalle89Old woman'A vecchia90Fear'A paura
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