If there is a month full of traditions to respect, it is the month of June, which is associated with various mystical and profane stories that are still trendy today.
Traditions are fascinating because they build a bridge between the past and the present and thus become part of the culture.
For this reason, today we will discover together the tradition of the sailing ship of San Pietro , its origin and its symbolic interpretation.
The origins
The sailing ship of San Pietro is a tradition of the past, practiced by the peasant and rural world as a ritual to predict weather conditions and avoid the risk of destruction of crops or fishing activities.
Both farmers and fishermen therefore somehow relied on superstition and magic to predict atmospheric phenomena and prevent them. Since then, the tradition has been continued and takes its name because it takes place on the night of June 28th to 29th , i.e. on the feast of Saints Peter and Paul .
Usually it is associated with some regions such as Veneto, Trentino, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Liguria, Piedmont and Tuscany, but is actually known and practiced throughout Italy because it is easy to try. So let’s take a look together at how to do it!
This is how you prepare the Barca di San Pietro
To follow this tradition, you will need a glass pitcher or jar and egg whites. So first pour the water into the jug, then carefully pour in the egg whites and wait for it to reach the bottom of the jug.
At this time, you need to put the carafe or glass on the balcony, windowsill or lawn in the garden and leave it there overnight so that it can absorb the dew.
The next day you will notice that the egg white has crystallized and has given the water a shape that resembles a boat or a sailing ship: according to legend, this happens because Saint Peter, who was a fisherman, comes in the night to to blow into the carafe.
Finally, all you have to do is interpret what has formed in the jar to predict events! Let’s see together how! However, keep in mind that the effect of the sailing ship is visible until midday and wears off after that!